Returning to endocrine therapy, any success stories?

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kayrnic
kayrnic Member Posts: 1,708
edited October 2019 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hello! It’s been almost two years since I’ve participated here. I miss you all, but just needed a break and had a hard time just keeping up with FB groups.

Long story short, cancer progressed a couple more times and I’ve been on Taxol since May. August scan showed “complete response to therapy.” So Taxol has kicked it’s ass! However, Taxol effects have become, well, taxing (haha) and onc wants me to go back on tamoxifen for three months to give me a break. Scan again in January. Half of me is thrilled and half is terrified!

Has anyone returned to endocrine therapy years after it failed and had any success? Any data/research on it? It’s been 5 years since I’ve been on tamoxifen and almost two years since I’ve been on any endocrine therapy.

Thanks so much for any stories or information!

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  • Cure-ious
    Cure-ious Member Posts: 2,626
    edited October 2019

    Kayrnric,

    Sorry no experience to offer, but while you are waiting for others to chime in, congratulations on 9.5 years of success and heading for a healing break on tamoxifen- wow!!!!


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  • Daywalker
    Daywalker Member Posts: 99
    edited October 2019

    Hi Kayrnic, so glad you had a complete response from Taxol, and yes I can relate to the taxing aspect, am on it myself now! I read a very interesting study about melatonin enhancing the effects of tamoxifen in BC patients, too tired to go find the link but you should find it by go ogling tamoxifen and melatonin.. It doubled the response time if I'm not mistaken. I take 20 mg of Melatonin at night, which is the therapeutic dose prescribed by Integrative Doctors... All the best and enjoy the three month break if you decide to go with it!

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  • kayrnic
    kayrnic Member Posts: 1,708
    edited October 2019

    Thanks! I was diagnosed metastatic in 2012, so it’s been 7 1/2 years. Not too shabby when they told me to expect 3-5. I told my oncologist I want to see my 50th birthday. I’m 46. So fingers crossed!

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  • kayrnic
    kayrnic Member Posts: 1,708
    edited October 2019

    Thanks for this information! I had no idea!

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  • SchnauzerMom
    SchnauzerMom Member Posts: 374
    edited October 2019

    Kay, I was interested in your post. I do have a success story. (It's a rather long story, but I'll stick to pertinent information.) I was first diagnosed in 1987, and then recurred in 1989. I had chemo (CMF) for 6 months, and took Tamoxifen for 11 years until 2001. Diagnosed with metastases to liver and bones in 2012. Have had multiple lines of chemo and endocrine therapy. Had good results with Taxol and Doxil, but hormonals (Femara and Faslodex) failed. In 2017 when Doxil failed after a 20-month run, we decided to try Tamoxifen again. It worked beautifully for 12 months. I have been on monotherapy Verzenio for nearly 15 months.

    Your goal of making it to 50 so resonated with me! That,too, was my hope. When my 50th birthday arrived I didn't know how to celebrate. So after the school day had ended, I left the school where I taught and walked up a hill to a nearby church, and just sat there alone and silent, marveling in gratitude.

    I wish you many, many good years

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  • kayrnic
    kayrnic Member Posts: 1,708
    edited October 2019

    Wow! You have quite the story! I’m so happy you have lived so long! It gives so many of us hope! And gosh, a year on tamoxifen would be so amazing! I’ll take whatever I can get, but just knowing a year is possible, that is awesome!

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited October 2019

    Kay, I remember Stephanie had some luck too.

    As I understand it, this will work for 1/3 women. I have zero idea why that number sticks in my head and I can’t provide evidence for it.

    But regardless, what’s the harm in trying? If things grow again you can go back on Taxol. You know that will work.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited October 2019

    No experience regarding returning to endocrine therapy, but it sure is good to “see” you! Take care.

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