Just Finished Radiation last Friday!

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Owens69
Owens69 Member Posts: 66
edited November 2016 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I have to say, all in all, radiation wasn't as bad as I expected. My onc did have to give me a 6 day break on my breast and neck because of burning so he did the boost radiation during that time. It all worked out beautifully.

I have, however, had nausea all the way through my treatment. And now, I get very little enjoyment from the taste of food and still have the nausea/upset stomach. I have a lot of body aches in my hips and back, and energy is still quite low. At what point should I see these symptoms diminish?

I will be seeing my medical oncologist in a few weeks. She has already told me she wants me to take Tamox. I told my rad onc that I do not want to take it. He suggested removing my ovaries, which I don't want to do either. I have done quite a bit of research about lowering estrogen the natural way through diet (I have about 60 lbs to lose), exercise, healthy living, and taking an all natural herbal supplement called DIM. I know my med onc is not going to be supportive of this. But I have read the side effects of the hormonal meds and also with the ovary removal and I just don't want to risk going through it. I would like for them to respect my decision, but I feel they will not.

Has anyone else decided not to take the hormonal meds and had success?

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  • Lrb3665
    Lrb3665 Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2016

    Congratulations! I finish Friday and cannot wait!


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  • PolkaDotPurse
    PolkaDotPurse Member Posts: 28
    edited July 2016

    Congrats on finishing rads! I finish this Thursday and am looking forward to this leg of the journey to be in the rear view mirror.

    I have been on DIM for years and was still diagnosed with IDC. It was suggested for me probably three years ago because my estrogen levels were through the roof. I'm still taking it and will continue to once I start Tamoxifen. I understand your hesitation. I'm more apprehensive of the Tamoxifen than I was of surgery or rads.


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  • Owens69
    Owens69 Member Posts: 66
    edited August 2016

    PolkaDotPur... I know you must be so happy to be done with RADS!

    You said you have been on DIM for years. May I ask if you are a healthy weight? I am asking because this is one of the things I am going to discuss with my doctor on the 26th. I was under the impression that if a person is at a healthy weight, their estrogen levels are more at a normal range.

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  • bethanygb1
    bethanygb1 Member Posts: 31
    edited November 2016

    I am almost in your same situation.. Just finished rads and am not going on tamoxifen. Did you decide to give it a try and see how it goes?

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