1. < Breast Cancer

Lupron Injection plus Exemestane

Posted by kalola808 @kalola808, Apr 9, 2023

Had stage 1 breast cancer/premenopausal prior to diagnosis. Fast forward, had done bilateral double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. No chemo or radiation recommended. My oncologist prescribed exemestane with lupron shots (every 3 months). Two months had past since the shot and exemestane - I have such a bad side effects (general pain, muscles and joints pain and the most that bothered me the most numbing and tingling in my arms, hands and fingers). Messaged my oncologist with the pain I’m experiencing and asked her to switch me to tamoxifen. Been taking tamoxifen for a week now and the body pain decreased but the numbing and tingling in my hands has not. I’m due for another shot comes Wednesday but I’ve decided not to take it. Anyone else is having these side effects?!

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claudiaovando1 | @claudiaovando1 | Aug 20 9:50am
In reply to @lisapion77 "Good morning, I was diagnosed with ER/PR+ Metastatic Breast Cancer back in 2019. I was immediately..." + (show)
@lisapion77

Good morning, I was diagnosed with ER/PR+ Metastatic Breast Cancer back in 2019. I was immediately put on Ibrance, Letrozole & Lupron Injection. Horrible side effects from the Letrozole and was switched to Exemestane. Gained 20 lbs. and had experienced numbness in hands. I had NEDS in 2020, but it returned in 2021 in the same spot it started (my left breast). At that point, my doctor suggest I have my ovaries removed. Finally? So I took that Lupron injection shot every 30 days to suppress my ovaries and should of had them removed when I was diagnosed in 2019. Why make us go through so much with toxicity, etc. I firmly believe that ANYONE diagnosed with ER positive breast cancer should have their ovaries removed. Of course, that's not the only area in your body to produce hormones, but it will limit it greatly.

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I am considering removing my ovaries. I am 43. Did you have the surgery done? And what is your experience with the surgery do you still have the same side effect with the surgery as you did with the Lupron?

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2 replies
lisapion77 | @lisapion77 | Aug 20 9:55am
In reply to @claudiaovando1 "I am considering removing my ovaries. I am 43. Did you have the surgery done? And..." + (show)
@claudiaovando1

I am considering removing my ovaries. I am 43. Did you have the surgery done? And what is your experience with the surgery do you still have the same side effect with the surgery as you did with the Lupron?

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Good morning,

I had laparoscopic surgery to have my ovaries removed and it was the best thing I ever did. I had gained so much weight being on the Lupron injection. All of that dropped after I had my surgery.

I hope this helps.

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1 reply
claudiaovando1 | @claudiaovando1 | Aug 20 9:57am
In reply to @jar2023 "Any updates? I’m on Lupron after lumpectomy (minimal side effects, if any). Did Tamoxifen for a..." + (show)
@jar2023

Any updates? I’m on Lupron after lumpectomy (minimal side effects, if any). Did Tamoxifen for a while, with minimal side effects, but a lesion in my retina gave us a scare, so we stopped the tamoxifen. I’m set to start exemestane soon, and I’m scared because everyone seems to have terrible side effects. I’ve already experienced a flare up of an old injury (lumbar sacral disc shrinkage/arthritis). 🙁

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The Als aren't fun. I have been in pain on and off and work out with weight literally everyday that's the only thing that takes my pain away.

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claudiaovando1 | @claudiaovando1 | Aug 20 9:58am
In reply to @lisapion77 "Good morning, I had laparoscopic surgery to have my ovaries removed and it was the best..." + (show)
@lisapion77

Good morning,

I had laparoscopic surgery to have my ovaries removed and it was the best thing I ever did. I had gained so much weight being on the Lupron injection. All of that dropped after I had my surgery.

I hope this helps.

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How about side effects or symptoms? Did they go away or still there?

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1 reply
Rom828 | @jgallagher04921 | Aug 20 9:59am
In reply to @claudiaovando1 "I am considering removing my ovaries. I am 43. Did you have the surgery done? And..." + (show)
@claudiaovando1

I am considering removing my ovaries. I am 43. Did you have the surgery done? And what is your experience with the surgery do you still have the same side effect with the surgery as you did with the Lupron?

Jump to this post

I had my ovaries removed at 43. I knew I could do the Lupron shot every month for 5 years. I was on Tamoxifen at the ti.r but I believe the Lypron shot gave me side effects of feeling terrible. So achy hard to move and tired!!!
After ovaries were out I was switched to an AI. I knew in a few weeks I coyld stay on thst one ( I cried all rhe timw)time. I'm now on Exemestane and Effexor to help with hot flashes. Good luck to you!!!

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lisapion77 | @lisapion77 | Aug 21 6:33am
In reply to @claudiaovando1 "How about side effects or symptoms? Did they go away or still there?" + (show)
@claudiaovando1

How about side effects or symptoms? Did they go away or still there?

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I never had any side effects. I felt tired from the surgery, but other than that, absolutely no issues.

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Rom828 | @jgallagher04921 | Aug 22 5:41am

Oh yes!! So...I started on Tamoxifen for a month, only major side effect was being very tired. Then a month later I had lupron shot. Was sick for a week. Felt like the flu. The next month same thing. And the next month same. I knew I could live being sick like that for a week every month so I had my ovaries out and was immediately switched to an AI. The side effects from lypron shot went away. I had another side effects from the Anastrozole ( couldn't stop craying and left hand ceased up) so after 1 month I switched to Exemestane and this has been much better. Good luck to you!!

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1 reply
bjohnson511 | @bjohnson511 | Aug 22 10:54am
In reply to @jgallagher04921 "Oh yes!! So...I started on Tamoxifen for a month, only major side effect was being very..." + (show)
@jgallagher04921

Oh yes!! So...I started on Tamoxifen for a month, only major side effect was being very tired. Then a month later I had lupron shot. Was sick for a week. Felt like the flu. The next month same thing. And the next month same. I knew I could live being sick like that for a week every month so I had my ovaries out and was immediately switched to an AI. The side effects from lypron shot went away. I had another side effects from the Anastrozole ( couldn't stop craying and left hand ceased up) so after 1 month I switched to Exemestane and this has been much better. Good luck to you!!

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I was also on anastrozole for six months. Had trigger finger and three fingers had to get a Cortizone shot so I could even open them. Zero energy headaches and every bone in my body aches. I finally got off of them just told the doctor I’m gonna take my chances. it’s a hard decision, but I’m 73 years old and I wanna live my life as long as I can having fun !

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