What exactly does MO do while monitoring meds?

Options
Ellyn27
Ellyn27 Member Posts: 147
edited February 2018 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I went for my initial consult with my MO and they say I will need to take an aromatase inhibitor for 5 years but I won't begin until after radiation is completed. I'm not sure which AI I will be taking yet. Of course after leaving their office I'm now wondering:

1. are there any tests they do prior to you starting your meds i.e. bloodwork, bone density? and

2. what kinds of tests do they do during the 5 years while taking the meds? I'm not talking about for side effects, but just in general.

Thanks

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited November 2017

    Hi there. Unfortunately most MOs do not do any hormone testing while on aromatase inhibitors. It is one of my pet peeves! IMO its because they just do not know enough about female hormones. I think there should be an endocrinologist or at least a gynecologist on our BC team. Good luck to all navigating this complicated disease...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Icietla
    Icietla Member Posts: 1,265
    edited November 2017

    I go to the Medical Oncologist every three months.

    1. Yes, expect a DEXA Scan at about the time your AI treatment is to be started, and expect blood testing.

    2. Expect questionnaires relating to health, recent health care from other Providers, medications, and symptoms; weight check; blood pressure check; clinical examination; discussion of any concerns, including any concerning findings about one's blood tests. Also expect DEXA Scans at two-year intervals.

    I understand some blood chemistry test results can possibly indicate advance of one's cancer.

    My Medical Oncologist watches lots of things about my blood. Some of them reflect in/adequacy of my treatment for Pernicious Anemia. Other findings (otherwise within diagnostic criteria) made it necessary for me to have gene rearrangement testing and other testing earlier this year to rule out two types of Leukemia.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited November 2017

    I am on tamoxifen and my MO so far hasn't checked anything...only been on it 9 months. I get the impression that they don't go looking for problems because that can't do much to prevent them. I bet if I get some weird symptoms they will jump into action. Probably no dexa because I am young and not on an AI.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited November 2017

    I had a DEXA scan before starting Tamoxifen. I wondered why since it's supposed to actually help your bones. I guess they wanted a baseline, especially since there's talk of switching me to an AI down the road.

    It showed osteopenia which surprised me. Not sure if that would have been the case regardless or if it's due to the chemo. I'm taking Calcium supplements and need to up my weight-bearing exercise. I'll get another scan in two years.

    My only other testing is routine CBC and CMP every six weeks while still on Herceptin. And an echo as well every three months. I'm not sure about the plan come January.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bosombuddy101
    Bosombuddy101 Member Posts: 182
    edited November 2017

    At the initial visit with my MO I asked how she would be monitoring me during hormone therapy---I got a blank stare. I cleared my throat and pressed on, "How would you know if the anti-hormone drugs are working?" and she replied, "If you have a recurrence, then we know it's not working." That first meeting did no instill much confidence in the treatment plan.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited November 2017

    IMO just ridiculous!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • windingshores
    windingshores Member Posts: 704
    edited November 2017

    I am not sure,  after three years of this, how I would know I should have them check for recurrence.  I think many on this board who are over 60 or so have some health complaints already that could mask recurrence symptoms. Bone pain? Check. My MO says recurrence would be intense and local but I assume that would be kind of far along.

    Liver enzyme are tested at least, and lipids, though my MO wants my PCP to do it and my PCP doesn't agree to order them. Is there some kind of penalty for ordering tests?!  Sometimes I feel like a ping pong ball!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited November 2017

    Windingshores, your PCP won't order a lipid panel and liver function tests?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • abdrowota
    abdrowota Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2017

    I have been seeing my MO about once a month. Blood drawn every time, but I never had a bone density test. I started with Tamoxifen, but had unusual side effects (rheumatoid arthritis-like nodules that developed on the joints of fingers on one hand). We played with the dosage, but it became obvious that Tamoxifen didn't agree with me. Began Zoladex injections 1X month and just started Arimidex. Next monthly visit, just for injection and bloodworm. Following appointment, injection AND see doc...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Icietla
    Icietla Member Posts: 1,265
    edited February 2018

    At my most recent checkup, I learned that they have also been following my CA 15-3 from the blood collected at each of my appointments.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ellyn27
    Ellyn27 Member Posts: 147
    edited February 2018

    I meet with my MO after RADs and started on Anastrazole. Will be going next week to have blood drawn a few days prior to my next appt. I asked what they'll be checking for in the blood work. They said my liver, my red and white blood cells, and something called markers. I only had a bone density done about a year and a half ago and my MO said she'd get those results from my doc so she can review those. Been on Anastrazole for almost a month now and only SEs are some warm flashes and finding it hard to fall asleep. Other than that, all good ... I guess :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories