1. < Breast Cancer

When you have hormone positive breast cancer, how to manage menopause?

Posted by sue417 @sue417, Apr 10 8:49am

Hi
I just finished breast cancer surgery and radiation I was taken off my HRT last October. I am 65 I have major menopause symptoms and wondered what women do that have had a breast cancer and are not allowed to take estrogen to get through this phase of life. I cannot sleep because of the hot flashes all night and now I have to start tamoxifen 5 mg which I'm hoping does not increase my night sweats I miss my estrogen/Progesterone and I'm at a loss. Is there anything you can take to help I just feel ill all the time. Anyone else have this kind of experience. I was on bioidentical hormones my cancer is estrogen progesterone positive HRT negative. My oncologist did put me on vagifem thank god for my bladder issues

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sue417 | @sue417 | Jun 14 7:20am
In reply to @jgallagher04921 "At first I said no because I didn't want to be on antidepressant and the AI..." + (show)
@jgallagher04921

At first I said no because I didn't want to be on antidepressant and the AI I started w was Anastrozole. I felt terrible on that and was so emotional. So dr switchdd me to Exemestane and i agreed to the Effexor. My emotions felt better within 2 days. I think I was starting to feel depression but i didnt want to admit it or be on an antidepressant.
Now i realize that if i have to live w " a new" me i have to do things i may not like to do but have to do to get through each day. I try to stay positive but I tell my husband often thst I hate the new me. I'm only 44 and have no sex drive. This journey is hard. I wish everyone the best.

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Hi
I totally get it and your very young to be going thru this too. My body is so hypersensitive to meds . Everyone has to do what's right for them. Don't know if this would be an option for you but my oncologist put me on vagifem you insert it into the vagina. It actually helps vaginal dryness and libido. You may want to inquire. Sending well wishes.

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2 replies
Rom828 | @jgallagher04921 | Jun 14 8:30am
In reply to @sue417 "Hi I totally get it and your very young to be going thru this too. My..." + (show)
@sue417

Hi
I totally get it and your very young to be going thru this too. My body is so hypersensitive to meds . Everyone has to do what's right for them. Don't know if this would be an option for you but my oncologist put me on vagifem you insert it into the vagina. It actually helps vaginal dryness and libido. You may want to inquire. Sending well wishes.

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I will look into that, thank you!!!

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Rom828 | @jgallagher04921 | Jun 14 8:31am
In reply to @sue417 "Hi I totally get it and your very young to be going thru this too. My..." + (show)
@sue417

Hi
I totally get it and your very young to be going thru this too. My body is so hypersensitive to meds . Everyone has to do what's right for them. Don't know if this would be an option for you but my oncologist put me on vagifem you insert it into the vagina. It actually helps vaginal dryness and libido. You may want to inquire. Sending well wishes.

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Oh, I can't use that because my cancer was er/pr+. No hormone anything for me.

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1 reply
marywc | @marywc | Jun 14 8:56am
In reply to @seathink "Posting to follow. I had triple NEGATIVE BC, and have not found anyone who will let..." + (show)
@seathink

Posting to follow. I had triple NEGATIVE BC, and have not found anyone who will let me near HRT, even though the cancer I had is not tied to any hormone. I am 42 and perimenopause, wondering what other people have done homeopathic-wise.

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HRT is critically important for our health in so many ways. I’m a big fan as are many I know. The study linking HRT with breast cancer back in the 70’s turned out to be bogus and false. I am also very concerned. I have not had my biopsy yet, but not Mayer what my results are they will tell me to get off of HRT

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1 reply
sue417 | @sue417 | Jun 14 9:31am
In reply to @jgallagher04921 "Oh, I can't use that because my cancer was er/pr+. No hormone anything for me." + (show)
@jgallagher04921

Oh, I can't use that because my cancer was er/pr+. No hormone anything for me.

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Hi
My cancer was er/pr + her 2 - also.
My oncologist put me on it. Both my oncologists said you can use it. I
Trust them along with my Pharmacist and g.p.

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seathink | @seathink | Jun 14 12:16pm
In reply to @marywc "HRT is critically important for our health in so many ways. I’m a big fan as..." + (show)
@marywc

HRT is critically important for our health in so many ways. I’m a big fan as are many I know. The study linking HRT with breast cancer back in the 70’s turned out to be bogus and false. I am also very concerned. I have not had my biopsy yet, but not Mayer what my results are they will tell me to get off of HRT

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Thanks, @marywc
I am not with Mayo, and also given the speed the cancer spread for me plus my young age (38 at diagnosis and going from Stage2 to Stage 3b in 2 months and negative for BC genes) I know my docs are looking at it from an abundance of caution, which I do appreciate.

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pinkdaisy | @pinkdaisy | Jun 15 9:19am

There's a new medication for hot flashes, called Veozah. It was approved in 2023, so it's very new. It's nonhormonal and works very well for some. It works only a bit for me, but that little bit does help.

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1 reply
queenofjacks | @queenofjacks | Jun 16 10:46am
In reply to @pinkdaisy "There's a new medication for hot flashes, called Veozah. It was approved in 2023, so it's..." + (show)
@pinkdaisy

There's a new medication for hot flashes, called Veozah. It was approved in 2023, so it's very new. It's nonhormonal and works very well for some. It works only a bit for me, but that little bit does help.

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It worked great for me but Medicare doesn’t pay for it & it’s $600 a month! 😕

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2 replies
sue417 | @sue417 | Jun 16 11:47am
In reply to @queenofjacks "It worked great for me but Medicare doesn’t pay for it & it’s $600 a month!..." + (show)
@queenofjacks

It worked great for me but Medicare doesn’t pay for it & it’s $600 a month! 😕

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Hi
It's not paid for in canada either. If it was for a man I bet it would be paid for. So frustrating

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pinkdaisy | @pinkdaisy | Jun 16 1:56pm
In reply to @queenofjacks "It worked great for me but Medicare doesn’t pay for it & it’s $600 a month!..." + (show)
@queenofjacks

It worked great for me but Medicare doesn’t pay for it & it’s $600 a month! 😕

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Drat! I'm so sorry to hear that. Maybe it will be eventually, soon I hope. Meanwhile, hang in there. You have my sympathies.

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