Are you ever free of breast cancer?

Posted by lesliek808 @lesliek808, Jun 2 4:47pm

I had a single mastecomy (left) in March 2023 after 3 tumors found through mammogram.

3 years later, I'm taking Exemestane and doing all the exams I need to do (self exam, yearly MRI, yearly mastectomy).

Since the cancer was estrogen positive, I need to continue on Exemestane for 7 more years. I've read that estrogen positive breast cancer can return after that.

So are we never in remission?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

Really misspelled that one: it is Cymbalta.

REPLY

Yes, I took one tablet and slept for 16 hours. When I woke up, I was groggy all day. Decided to do PT and get cortisone shots instead of taking Cymbalta. Couldn't stay drugged up, feeling out of it all the time.

REPLY
Profile picture for lila13 @lila13

Yes, I took one tablet and slept for 16 hours. When I woke up, I was groggy all day. Decided to do PT and get cortisone shots instead of taking Cymbalta. Couldn't stay drugged up, feeling out of it all the time.

Jump to this post

@lila13 thanks! I really did want to hear about other people’s take on it if they had had it.

REPLY
Profile picture for raebaby @raebaby

I'm 84. At age 79 I had lumpectomy , chemo and radiation. I was HER2positive. I refused anti hormone drugs. I feel great and my blood work shows no signs of cancer. My hair is at it's best ever. My heart is in good shape.

Jump to this post

@raebaby
I think 😘 I love you! What a great comment. I am over 72 and so torn about playing havoc with my older but very fit and active body. Everything thus far went swimmingly but my age might raise my side effects exponentially

REPLY
Profile picture for barbara1224 @barbara1224

@raebaby
I think 😘 I love you! What a great comment. I am over 72 and so torn about playing havoc with my older but very fit and active body. Everything thus far went swimmingly but my age might raise my side effects exponentially

Jump to this post

@barbara1224 I enjoy my life a lot. I'm currently in Portland visiting my kids. I fly on my own and people are so very helpful to an older person. I love you back!

REPLY
Profile picture for barbara1224 @barbara1224

@raebaby
I think 😘 I love you! What a great comment. I am over 72 and so torn about playing havoc with my older but very fit and active body. Everything thus far went swimmingly but my age might raise my side effects exponentially

Jump to this post

@barbara1224 for what it's worth, I was diagnosed with stage 1 ILC last year at age 72. I was worried about the drugs, too & convinced my oncologist to prescribe a half-dose (10 mg) of Tamoxifen which also protects bones. No real side effects. I'm also very active & do 5 Pilates classes per week. We each have to find our own path that works for us. Best wishes to you! ❤️

REPLY
Profile picture for penny21 @penny21

Really misspelled that one: it is Cymbalta.

Jump to this post

@penny21 Yes, I take Duloxetine (which I think is the generic version of Cymbalta). It works. It helps with pain a lot and I think depression too. I started on 120 mg, now down to 60 mg. I say please take it. It's worth it even though you don't want to add any more meds. I feel the same, but when you need pain relief, that's all you can do.

REPLY

I had a lumpectomy for stage 2 CA estrogen driven in 2001. Had 36 radiation treatments but opted out of chemo. Took Tamoxifen for 5 years. Still going strong at 87 but I keep waiting.......my feeling is I will have survived cancer when I die from something else. Stay positive.
.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.