Bringing in 2014 with Tamoxifen!

Oops sorry did a double post. 

I was thinking about it today and was wondering if anyone knows what their estrogen levels were before, or after Tamox or any other nasty? They say it will reduce it by blah blah but I personally would like to see how much. Just wondering.

Rette, my oncotype was 99.9 for estrogen, just started Tamoxifen about 3 weeks ago.

RedReading, or anyone else, have you ever had a CA 27-29 test? I had one a few weeks after surgery and it was in the high normal range.

Thanks guys for responding. I just had a blood test done, for another issue, but never thought to ask about the estrogen level.

I am ER+PR+HER2- Rosie. And I have met people who have 2% and those who have 95% estrogen.  

Louanne what is a CA 27-29 test?

louanne, I had the 27-29 test also about a month after surgery. Mine was a 22, which it said you want it below 38.  I wish it would've been 0, but idk if anyone's is ever 0. I did read some docs don't like that test, it can rise even if there is no cancer going on.  What were you told about it?

Stenokim, just that it was in the high normal range, and will it be tested again? It was another Dr. not the MO who tested it. I didn't know about it, obviously the result was sent to my other Doctors. It was done around 2 1/2 weeks after the surgery. I don't have another apt. with the MO until November. I'll be seeing my BS in two weeks though and will definitely discuss it with him. 

Hope all of you ladies have a wonderful weekend!

Dawn, yes it does block the estrogen, I was jut curious if I resulted in any change. I know that the tests are different. The one that has the Es+- is a test of the receptors. Mine was at 98, of course. The other is a test of how much estrogen is in the body. I thought it would be interesting to see what the amounts for each was. I wish I could have the receptors tested again after starting this lovely therapy. May ask my MO about that at my next appointment in a few weeks.

Curious I have never had the CA27-29 test done. Maybe because it sounds like there may be to many variables. I will check on that too.

Rosie, yes your path report should have the ER Pr results on it. Have them give you copies. I get copies of all my records. All the Dr.'s notes surgical notes, labs tests. I even have cd's of my mamo and ultra sounds. I still need to get a cd of my rad treatments. These are your records you have every right to them. You should not have to pay for these they are yours. I think they may charge if you want the copies of the actual mamo and such films, but nothing if it's on a cd. I have a zip up binder with everything in it. LOL.

rettemich, what do you mean before and after?  The ER PR status is from the tumor, so they couldn't really do a before and after.  Tamoxifen binds those receptors sites so they can't grow.    At the point we use it, it is a preventative as the cancer is gone.  Hoping it stops any new cancer from being able to grow, especially in the other breast.

I was 92% ER+ and 9% PR+ and then 92% ER+ and 1% PR which was considered negative. (biopsy and then surgery) and my oncologist said that I was basically ER+ and PR-.  She said you don't see many ER+ high and PR low or negative.

I'm very interested in this Fareston. I wonder if it is an option for me. I'm going to have to ask my doc because my SE's are really affecting my quality of life. On two consecutive days my DD then my mom sat me down to ask me to please contact my doctor about them. So I'm going to write to her.

Louanne, thanks for the info on CA 27-29. Interesting.

RedReading, you are welcome! Hope you can get the SE's straigntened out.  

Welcome back Kruse. I took the Living Well course. It was great. I shared some of it a few months ago. Congrats on weight watchers and deciding to eat better and exercise more. It makes a difference I think. {{{hugs}}}.

Since my surgeries and following treatments, I have had NO willpower. I have been doing yoga 3 times a week at the center and working with a wonderful guy Sam to help me with meditation. It really has helped me reduce my stress. But not my weight. I am meeting with a nutritionist today, hopefully I can get a better game plan. I really don't eat horrible. And I need to exercise more, but it's hard to get motivated on your own. sigh  

Rettemich,  It is hard to move forward.  I was talking to my NP oncologist a month ago and we talked about being mindfulness.  

Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.

We were having a discussion about often if you are depressed you are living in the past, if you are anxious you are living in the future, and if you are at peace you are living in the present. (Obviously medical issues/traumatic situations can cause these on a short term basis, but the focus is to move beyond and live in the present). 

With that in mind, I keep myself busy!  I have a trainer at the gym, go to classes and after being home for 12 years with my kids I am heading back to work on Monday.  It is what I need to do, to keep me in the here and now.

Good luck, but I think many of us go through this with the "what now".