1. < Breast Cancer

Conflicted on taking medication

Posted by rabab101 @rabab101, Oct 11, 2019

I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, grade 1
I didn’t need chemo or radiation. My oncologist informed me that I have to be on tamoxifen to reduce chances of recurrence. I was miserable.
I quit taking it after two weeks.
I’ve been a health but most of my life and have never been a pill popper.
Extremely conflicted about taking my chances without medication.
Can anyone offer me insight on how they feel about it? Please help me decide what to do. Feel free to speak your mind, respectfully of course:-)

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

rabab101 | @rabab101 | Oct 19, 2019
In reply to @100154 "I concur - 👍. P.S. another good book is, “Breast’s The Owner’s Manual” every women’s guide..." + (show)
@100154

I concur - 👍. P.S. another good book is, “Breast’s The Owner’s Manual” every women’s guide to reducing cancer risk, making treatment choices, and optimizing outcomes by Dr. Kristi Funk. Good luck all! 😀

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I have dissected the book “the metabolic approach to cancer”. It is about integrative nutrition. I’ve learned a great deal. I am implementing quite a bit as far as diet is concerned.
I highly recommend it

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rabab101 | @rabab101 | Oct 19, 2019
In reply to @100154 "Hi, I go to Rochester, MN as well. I was very fortunate to hear John Shin,..." + (show)
@100154

Hi, I go to Rochester, MN as well. I was very fortunate to hear John Shin, M.D. at the Cancer Education Center, in the Gonda Building on April 2, 2019. The topic was Diet and Cancer: Does it matter what I eat, evidence-based recommendations for focusing on plant-based nutrition. It was very informative information on foods that fight breast cancer. Not sure he speaks too often but if he does go! A book that is extremely helpful to support Dr. Shins presentation is “How Not To Die”, by Michael Gregor, MD, FACLM founder of NUTRITIONFACTS.ORG. Discover the foods Scientifically proven to prevent and reverse disease. Chapter 11 is specifically targeting Breast Cancer. I find it very enlightening and gives me some control over my fight against Breast Cancer. Good luck and good reading?

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Wow, THANK YOU!!! I will buy the book now. Looking forward to reading it, specially that I’m reading the metabolic approach to cancer book and it focuses more on the keto diet along with cruciferous vegetables etc. diet. So I’m excited to see the different perspective. I will look up the doctor and see if he speaks anywhere else or at Mayo again. I will for sure find out. I am only two and a half hours away from Rochester/Mayo it will make it easy since I doctor there

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100154 | @100154 | Oct 20, 2019
In reply to @100154 "I concur - 👍. P.S. another good book is, “Breast’s The Owner’s Manual” every women’s guide..." + (show)
@100154

I concur - 👍. P.S. another good book is, “Breast’s The Owner’s Manual” every women’s guide to reducing cancer risk, making treatment choices, and optimizing outcomes by Dr. Kristi Funk. Good luck all! 😀

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Yes, I have that book too, very helpful and hopeful! I keep both books out on my table and read them almost everyday - so I stay on track to be the healthiest I can be! Continued good luck!

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addieg | @addieg | Oct 21, 2019

@rabab101 May I ask why were you miserable on tamoxifen?

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cfacarol | @cfacarol | Oct 21, 2019

I take Femera (letrozole) not tamoxifen.

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jdriver | @jdriver | Oct 25, 2019
In reply to @addieg "I was diagnosed with Stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. I had a lumpectomy and radiation and..." + (show)
@addieg

I was diagnosed with Stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. I had a lumpectomy and radiation and have now been prescribed Tamoxifen. I, too, have been very conflicted about taking this medication due to the side effects. I am awaiting an appointment with a nutritionist to determine if a serious change in diet will provide a similar reduction probability to the tamoxifen. I had initially agreed to try it but still have not. Treatment for breast cancer is a very difficult but personal choice and you must do what you feel is best for you both in regards to treating your cancer and your quality of life. Good luck!

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I had Stage 2 HER2 Positive breast cancer in 2013. Total axilla node dissection as sentinel node was positive even though my tumor was only 1cm. I had a lumpectomy and was placed on Tamoxifen after surgery. I am now six years out and still on Tamoxifen with no noticeable side effects. My plan was to stay on the Tamoxifen for 10 years. I am now 68 years old and about to head toMayo in Rochester for my post 6 year appt. Every year we discuss coming off the Tamoxifen and so far I have decided to stay on it. I may be lucky not to have any side effects. So far my bone scans have shown mild osteopenia.

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3 replies
sparklegram | @sparklegram | Oct 25, 2019
In reply to @jdriver "I had Stage 2 HER2 Positive breast cancer in 2013. Total axilla node dissection as sentinel..." + (show)
@jdriver

I had Stage 2 HER2 Positive breast cancer in 2013. Total axilla node dissection as sentinel node was positive even though my tumor was only 1cm. I had a lumpectomy and was placed on Tamoxifen after surgery. I am now six years out and still on Tamoxifen with no noticeable side effects. My plan was to stay on the Tamoxifen for 10 years. I am now 68 years old and about to head toMayo in Rochester for my post 6 year appt. Every year we discuss coming off the Tamoxifen and so far I have decided to stay on it. I may be lucky not to have any side effects. So far my bone scans have shown mild osteopenia.

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@jdriver, That is wonderful news. Congratulations!

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addieg | @addieg | Oct 25, 2019
In reply to @jdriver "I had Stage 2 HER2 Positive breast cancer in 2013. Total axilla node dissection as sentinel..." + (show)
@jdriver

I had Stage 2 HER2 Positive breast cancer in 2013. Total axilla node dissection as sentinel node was positive even though my tumor was only 1cm. I had a lumpectomy and was placed on Tamoxifen after surgery. I am now six years out and still on Tamoxifen with no noticeable side effects. My plan was to stay on the Tamoxifen for 10 years. I am now 68 years old and about to head toMayo in Rochester for my post 6 year appt. Every year we discuss coming off the Tamoxifen and so far I have decided to stay on it. I may be lucky not to have any side effects. So far my bone scans have shown mild osteopenia.

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@jdriver Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope to have the same experience. I will let you know next month 🙂

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 26, 2019
In reply to @jdriver "I had Stage 2 HER2 Positive breast cancer in 2013. Total axilla node dissection as sentinel..." + (show)
@jdriver

I had Stage 2 HER2 Positive breast cancer in 2013. Total axilla node dissection as sentinel node was positive even though my tumor was only 1cm. I had a lumpectomy and was placed on Tamoxifen after surgery. I am now six years out and still on Tamoxifen with no noticeable side effects. My plan was to stay on the Tamoxifen for 10 years. I am now 68 years old and about to head toMayo in Rochester for my post 6 year appt. Every year we discuss coming off the Tamoxifen and so far I have decided to stay on it. I may be lucky not to have any side effects. So far my bone scans have shown mild osteopenia.

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That is good that you have done so well with the Tamoxifen treatment, @jdriver. I would enjoy hearing from you after your next visit to Mayo. Will you post again?

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