What is being suggested now?

Hi!

I was diagnosed at Stage IIIA at the age of 46. My cancer was 95% ER/PR+. I was premenopausal. Due to the SOFT study, which showed better outcomes for premenopausal women with ovarian suppression plus an aromatase inhibitor, I am currently doing Zoladex (ovarian suppression) plus aromasin (aromatase inhibitor). I could have my ovaries removed (it's an oopherectomy not a hysterectomy) and skip the Zoladex, but my OB/GYN is not a big fan of ovary removal. He says the studies show that women who keep their ovaries tend to live longer than those who have them removed.

So far, the Zoladex + aromasin haven't been too bad. (I've been on this regimen for over a year). At first, my hot flashes were fairly hot; now, they are just warm and infrequent. The aromasin made me moody, so I'm on Celexa and that's no longer a problem.

By the way, many premenopausal women continue to do Tamoxifen. In some cases, their doctors don't believe that the differences discovered in the SOFT study are that dramatic; in others, the patients experience fewer side effects on Tamoxifen than on an AI. Some doctors keep prescribing Tamoxifen because they've seen good results with it and see no reason to change.

Best wishes!

Buyer beware: many people have good luck on tamoxifen but I was not one of them. I recurred on Tamoxifen ( I did not miss a SINGLE dose) so when I found my recurrence in axillary (10/14 nodes all in the axillary sac) 3 1/2 years later - I also had a complete hysterectomy done laparoscopically (it was a breeze - was back to work in 2 weeks, could have gone after one as good as I felt) as I figured 1. Ovaries make estrogen well into your fifties, even if it's not enough to stimulate a period 2. I had a friggin 5cm fibroid grow on tamoxifen (was not there in 2012 CT) 3. Breast cancer will go to ovaries or even uterus - less places to travel or develop issues BC issues or on their own 4. I exercise, don't smoke and eat pretty decent so I'm not worried about the effects on my heart at this time. 5. I was done having children 6. I wanted ovaries out the first time and was denied so I was mad!!!

I was 0 nodes with 2cm tumor first time around ER 95/95+ HR neg first time around 95/90 HR - second time around so it was the same crap, just hung around and started to grow again.

I started Arimidex and found the TEVA generic to do well for me and I took it at dinner. I took for about 8 weeks - right after surgery, through radiation, now I stopped for chemo and will restart 2 days after my last treatment.