Post radiation. Hormone replacement
I will need to make a decision on hormone replacement in two weeks. I am very scared of the side effects. Does anyone have any advise.
Comments
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Hi Nyr,
Do you mean hormone therapy like tamoxifen?
I have been taking it for over a year and I honestly don't think it's that bad. All medications can have side effects. I have some (it's not all puppies and rainbows) but find them tolerable and preferable to having my cancer come back!!
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are you pre or post menopausal? If you’re pre menopausal then tamoxifen is what will likely be prescribed. Post menopausal then 1 of 3 different AIs will be prescribed. Everyone’s response to these meds are different and you won’t know your response til you try it. If you try 1 and the SEs are not tolerable, contact your MO and see if you can switch.
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Lula73. I am post menopausal. Doctor has suggested aromastat. I have to give it a try. I don’t want anymore breast cancer. I start 8 boost treatments this Friday. Are the boost treatments bad. I know it is a smaller area and give the other area chance to heal. Every new treatments scares me. I have been good so far except for pretty bad dermatitis. I use cortisone cream in it and that stops the itching
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Thanks for getting back to me. I am thrilled to finally be on this thread. I couldnt figure out how to join. Now I am in. I will try not to be a winer.
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Hey Nyr4evr,
The boosts are not bad at all, instead of doing the whole breast they target just the area where the cancer was.
I started Tamoxifen March 1st and I have had SE's, the fatigue was enough to make me quit, but instead I am trying different things. I take the Tamoxifen in the am (because of insomnia) and my anti depressant at bed time seems to be helping or maybe it was the beautiful weather. Either way I am only 42 and don't want the cancer back, on the other hand being in bed all the time and telling my kids mommy's too tired to play with them is no life either. Another lady even suggested half the pill instead of a whole pill. You will find on the aromastat topics page lots of support and suggestions.
Hugs,
Cheryl
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Cheryl Thanks so much for your thoughtful response. I will now be able to get through the week. I feel like such a baby at each corner that I get to. I am 70 years old and want to see more. I will keep fighting thanks to a woman like you. Kisses and hugs
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My oncologist plans on me taking aromatase. Less side effects. I end rads May 8.
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keep you posted in aromatase. How are you doing in splitting thevpill
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I just started Anastrazole (generic for Arimidex) three days ago. No side effects yet. Some ladies feel SE's right away, but for most it takes at least a month or two. I also take a Turmeric/Curcumin supplement to ward off inflamation of the joints.
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How much turmeric do you take. I had heard is it good to take it. Our dietician told us to take it. She didn’t say about joint pains from meds. I will be starting aroastat in two weeks. My oncologist says that group of meds has the least side effects. Fingers crossed for you and all that start it
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Coming to end of whole breast radiation. Got very very red. I thought I was home free. I start the boost this Friday for 8 days. Very sore now. Any suggestions out there. Should I go braless?
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I did go braless, it really helped! Hang in there you are almost done!
The boost didn't make my skin any worse--it just got darker but didn't hurt worse or anything
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I will try the braless. You made a funny with the hang in there. Radiologist said today. Put slot of the cream They told me to put Saran Wrap over the breast that will make the cream really condition the skin keep it very moist I guess Thanks for your hel
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The rads techs told me to wet facecloths, put them in zip lock bags and store in the fridge to place on the breast. It helped. There is a cream they can prescribe you that is AWESOME!!! My burn was better in days, I believe it was called Flamazine (sp). I used and still use sports bras, haven't found those pretty bras comfortable anymore, I also like the shirts with the built in bra. xxx
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I made sure I wore plenty of the cream they gave me to use and wore a plain soft cotton t-shirt UNDER my bra. It cut down on the soreness. After my radiation treatment was over, I slathered on Aquafor 24/7 for the next couple of weeks until the redness was gone. It worked great.
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I was thinking of putting a gauze pad in my bra. I will ask today. I was afraid it might absorb the cream too much. The aquafor is great. I also use utterly smooth. Not easy to fnd but Walgreens order it for me. Very nice oil in it soothing. At night for the redness I use aquafor and Saran Wrap over it to sleep in. When I get up in the morning the red definitely is less
How long did it take for the redness to diminish
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Yes hormone therapy. I used the wrong My doctor wants me to try Aromastst. There are several switch over in that category if the first one doesn't work. My only concern is I have osteopenia and it can cause some bone loss. I will have to stay on top of that. See the oncologist this Friday to discuss next steps. Any good questions I should ask. I am such a newbie
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Nyr4evr,
You likely know to do so, but make sure you tell your oncologist about the osteopenia, he/she may prescribe something else.
Cheryl
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I will make sure to put on my list of questions. Thank
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Definitely tell her about your osteopenia. My MO prescribed Arimidex initially which was a mistake since it attacks the bones and I was borderline osteoporosis.She switched me to Tamoxifen but only after I said something. Go figure.
Diane
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My MO has seen my DEXA scan which shows I have both osteopenia and osteoporosis in 1 area. If taking the Arimidex they may start you on a bone strengthening injection, like Prolia. There are also many exercises to do to keep bones strong.
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I take Boniva, D3 and calcium supplements. It was no big deal switching to Tamoxifen. She didn’t see a problem making the switch.
Diane
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just got a call from the oncologist. She wants to see my bone density. Maybe she won’t put me in the aromastst after all. See her tomorrow. Thanks to you it was on my list of questions regarding osteipinua
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The redness took a couple weeks to go away I think. I would think you can put gauze in your bra if you want. The first few weeks of radiation I had to use constant nonstick gauze in my bra because my surgical wound had weeping dermatitis on it. You just have to avoid adhesive!
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The doctor called today to get copies of my bone density. So maybe she is rethinking the aromatase. See her tomorrow start boost tomorrow for 8 treatments. Hope it doesn't burn more. No breakage but very red
How long does it take fir nipple pain to go away.
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How did it go Nyr4evr?
Is our oncologist just basically for the pills now? I didn't do chemo, last time I seen him he really didn't seem to care about the SEs and I have another appointment to see him on the 9th. Not really sure why I need to see him again to be honest.
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I start boost today for eight treatments. Hope my boobs calm down now. No breakage but very sore nipple. Yes. I see the oncologist for the meds. She will be looking at bone density to pick a med for me. She works with the radiologist but from what I understand. She is the boss
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Thanks. Now that I start the boost. I am hoping the redness and pain will go away. They gave me a script for Silverdine after just six treatments. The red has already started to calm down.
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