Weening off of Prometrium/Progesterone

Options
Michelle_in_cornland
Michelle_in_cornland Member Posts: 1,689
edited August 2016 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I have been taking progesterone, in Prometrium form, for 18 years. I took it to have regular cycles. At 36, after my daughter was born, I had post menopausal levels and my endocrinologist screamed in my face about endometrial hyperplasia. I ended up taking it every day because it helped ease my severe anxiety. Now, 18 years later, I have early stage 1, grade 1, breast cell issues (cannot say cancer.) I am weening off of progesterone and I am feeling very anxious again. I already take anxiety and depression meds. If I end up on Tamoxofen, which I am going to push for Evista, (so I can stay on Zoloft), what they heck am I going to be facing hormonally. If we are having hormones suppressed, does that mean we get absolutely no hormones in our system. Is it shocking? I am struggling just getting off of progesterone. Surgery for lumpectomy is on Tuesday. I have been weening down by taking one 100mg every four days. It is rough.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited August 2016

    They do not use Evista to treat cancer. So your options would be tamoxifen or if you are in menopause AIs. Menopause and lack of hormones is not pleasant so you may discuss this issue with your doctor - quality of life versus hormone therapy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Michelle_in_cornland
    Michelle_in_cornland Member Posts: 1,689
    edited August 2016

    From Mayo Clinic:

    Raloxifene

    How it works

    Raloxifene (Evista) is another drug in the class known as SERMs. It's also prescribed in pill form, to be taken by mouth once a day for five years.

    Like tamoxifen, raloxifene works by blocking estrogen's effects in the breast and other tissues. Unlike tamoxifen, raloxifene doesn't exert estrogen-like effects on the uterus.

    Who it's for

    Raloxifene is used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in high-risk women who are past menopause (postmenopausal). You're considered at high risk if you score greater than 1.66 percent on the Gail model.

    Raloxifene is also used for prevention and treatment of the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited August 2016

    Best to talk to your physician about getting a titration schedule.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited August 2016

    Evista is used for preventing breast cancer in women who do not yet have cancer, tamoxifen is also used to prevent cancer in women who do not have cancer. My friend asked her doc about it and the answer was it is not used on women who have cancer. Did your onc say you can use it?

    From https://www.drugs.com/evista.html

    What is Evista?

    Evista (raloxifene) affects the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body, and reduces loss of bone tissue.

    Evista is used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It is also used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have osteoporosis or who are otherwise at risk of invasive breast cancer.

    Evista is not a cancer medication and will not treat breast cancer.

    You better get a second opinion about Evista, where are they treaing you?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2016

    michelle - also wanted to point out that Tamoxifen does not suppress hormones, rather, it blocks the breast cell receptors while allowing estrogen to circulate. It can cause some menopausal symptoms but does not cause menopause.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Michelle_in_cornland
    Michelle_in_cornland Member Posts: 1,689
    edited August 2016

    SpecialK, thank you for clearing that up for me. That is very helpful. I just don't want my body to go into shock because of no hormone production. I am weening off of progesterone and that is hard enough. I see that you had 14 additional surgeries. Were they reconstruction related? My sister's nick name is SpecialK, because she is a nurse/educator in special needs at a local high school. Her name is Karen. Thanks for the info.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Michelle_in_cornland
    Michelle_in_cornland Member Posts: 1,689
    edited August 2016

    Inks, I have been doing research on my own about the different SERMs. Since I take an SSRI, the receptor is already in use. To be able to take Tamoxifen, I will have to change meds, which I have been stable on for 18 years. Too many adjustments will put my body into the state of shock, so I am trying to buy time with alternative measures. But, I will not deprive myself of a cancer curing medication either.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories