No hormone replacement therapy due to ER+ PR+ IDC. Gah!

jamiebeth · February 2015

Hello, ladies. It's been almost four years since I went through treatment, and I'm fine except for the fact that my hormone levels are all screwy thanks to perimenopause (I'm 45), and I can't do HRT because my cancer was ER+ and PR+. There must be some of you in this situation, and I was wondering how you handle the hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, etc. I'm currently taking 20 mg of Paxil for the hot flashes, and a teeny-tiny dose of Klonopin for the anxiety and insomnia. They worked for a while, but now, let's just say I might as well be taking sugar pills.

Any input would be highly appreciated.

Forgot to add that even though chemo was a recommended part of my treatment, I was unable to handle it because of a preexisting neurological disorder. My oncologist and I decided that after doing so poorly on just the pre-medication, the chemo itself was not worth the risk. My cancer was stage 1, grade 1, with an oncotype of 19. So, chemo did not affect my hormone levels.

Thank you!

Jamiebeth

Spookiesmom · February 2015

I'm on Arimadex, it's supposed to suck the estrogen out. Don't want it in me possibly feeding Cancer!

I've been off and on effexor for the hot flashes, currently off. I have a fan by my bed for night time. No problems with sleep.

Talk to your MO, or gyn about getting some relief.

glennie19 · February 2015

If Paxil no longer works,, try either Effexor or Prozac. They are both used for hot flashes. I feel your pain about the lack of sleep. What dose of Klonopin are you on? Can you increase it? change to a different sleep aide? If you are not on tamoxifen,, you can try Benadryl to see if that will help you sleep.

Also look at the thread called THE HOT FLASH FORUM. You may find some help over there too.

Lotusconnie · February 2015

For hot flashes, use Effexor or Paxil, not Prozac per uptodate.

Gabapentin or clonidine could be tried too. And black cohosh.

jamiebeth · February 2015

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions.

yoga_girl · February 2015

American Society of Clinical Oncology

*Magnesium Supplements for Menopausal Hot Flashes*

http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/27/7/1151.full

Hot flashes are common with natural menopause or induced estrogen deficiency from chemotherapy, tamoxifen, raloxifene, or the aromatase inhibitors. As many as 90% of perimenopausal women have hot flashes,and 40% of survivors of breast cancer rate their hot flashes rate the effect as “quite a bit” to “severe”. While some women are not affected, others have significant sleep deprivation and distress.

Several treatments have proven effective including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, medroxyprogesterone, and megestrol acetate, but all have potential adverse effects. Antidepressants can cause mental, emotional, and physical adverse effects. Megestrol acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate, while effective, can potentially cause fluid retention, premenstrual symptoms, and deep vein thrombosis.

. . . hot flashes diminished within 24 hours and had not returned. In each case, the person was not expecting any relief from magnesium, so placebo effect is unlikely.

(full article available through the link above)

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=liquid+calcium+magnesium&tag=mh0b-20&index=aps&hvadid=36882242&ref=pd_sl_5uk201kl94_b - brands of calcium/magnesium, liquid options

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=powder+calcium+magnesium&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Apowder+calcium+magnesium - brands of calcium/magnesium, powder or dry options

Many of the products listed above are available at most health food stores in the higher concentrations. As with all supplements and vitamins, be sure to have your blood work done first so you have your baselines. Work with your doctors to identify and achieve your daily dose.

Hot flashes (and the swing from hot to cold flashes) can be overwhelming when they happen while going through cancer treatments and experiencing SE.

yoga_girl · February 2015

*Anxiety and Insomnia*

http://thiaminedeficiency.org/ - to read the entire article

Cancer patients treating with DCA (to shrink tumors and/or prevent cancer recurring) require additional supplementation of Thiamine/Vitamin B1. This is because the DCA utilizes thiamine stores in your body to shrink and expel the tumor cells – this increased utilization of thiamine can trigger thiamine deficiency without adequate supplementation. This Thiamine Deficiency has symptoms of the Nervous system disorder, known as “Dry BeriBeri (see below). To learn more about DCA visit pureDCA.com

Vitamin B1 is an essential vitamin known as aneurin, thiamin, and thiamine deficiency in this vitamin can be serious. Vitamin B1 is water soluble and must be taken daily to replenish our stores and prevent thiamine deficiency. Thiamin helps maintain a normal metabolism; process carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; burn carbohydrates for energy; and, aid in metabolism of amino acids. Every cell requires Vitamin B1 to fuel our body. Nerve cells require Vitamin B1/thiamine powder in order to function normally. Thiamine Deficiency has serious repurcussions to your health.

Thiamine Deficiency is reversible with supplementation.

Dichloroacetate has been used in recent human trials. These trials were done by a university and their results have been published for anyone to read about the dichloroacetate cancer connection.

Pure DCA Information
The main facts about sodium dichloroacetate, pure DCA.

Scientific Research Papers and Studies Done With Dicholoracetate
Various papers in the peer-reviewed scientific literature, for educational purposes only.

http://www.cancer.gov/

No hormone replacement therapy due to ER+ PR+ IDC. Gah!

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