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When you have hormone positive breast cancer, how to manage menopause?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jun 16 1:56pm | Replies (70)Comment receiving replies
I had Invasive ductile carcinoma, .6 cm tumor stage one. I’ve reached out to the cancer Society to ask about trials for the circumstances, and they responded by saying that these drugs help more people who have less side effects than those of us who have the terrible side effects, so they really aren’t doing any clinical trials. We just have to make Decisions based on our own situation, frame of mine, family input and prayers. I may try another drug for a while to see if that helps.. Hugs.
Replies to "I had Invasive ductile carcinoma, .6 cm tumor stage one. I’ve reached out to the cancer..."
Hi
I have only met 1 person locally whi was able to tolerate the meds. I have an appointment this Thursday with my oncologist so I know he's going to discuss the AIS with me I really don't know what I'm going to do . I had dcis with a very microscopic break in 1 wall nodes were clear
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I tried different aromatase inhibitors and different manufacturers. I finally stayed with brand name Femara (letrozole) thought after 4 1/2 years I did find a generic I could tolerate- too late! I did feel safer with the brand name anyway.
After 5 years we can do the Breast Cancer Index test which shows whether there is any benefit to extended meds and tells us risk. I was high risk but no benefit to extended meds so I could feel okay about stopping. I originally thought I would do 7-10 years.
For those suffering horrible side effects, doing as much as you can tolerate after trying different ones and different manufacturers/brand name, makes a lot of sense. There may be modalities that help (my PT does massage) or supplements so it might be worth seeing a holistic provider but I understand that for some, nothing makes these drugs worthwhile.
I have been on bone meds for almost three years and those have been harder to tolerate, much harder, than letrozole. Our bodies are all so different. I do think some side effects with AI's may ease up after the first 6 months- at least in my experience.