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Is there anyone that had estrogen positive cancer, without use of AI?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Dec 15, 2023 | Replies (146)Comment receiving replies
I agree with you that one size does not fit all, or should not fit all. @windyshores talks more at length about this. In all the years I took these therapies, not one of my doctors ever tested my estrogen levels. These are not new drugs so it seems like if 20% letrozole is effective that a lower dose should be considered by doctors, especially for patients like you who tried but had too many side effects.
The doctor I had would never have even considered it. I had my ovaries removed and still had 5 years of tamoxifen, before switching to anastrozole. I was in my 30s at the time so there was still way too much estrogen flowing. Lol
These are just my personal experiences, I would hope that they can serve as a point of hope that you can get a better experience. If I had known then what I know now, I would have advocated for myself more.
I know you tried endocrine therapy but I don’t remember which drugs you tried, did you try letrozole? How long ago was this?
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@auntieoakley , thank you for your comment. I was prescribed Anastrozole and took it for 32 month (2 & 3/4 yrs) At around 2 years I started having hip pain , debilitating pain & I felt about 80+ yrs old - I’m 69. Very active & it was affecting my quality of life from morning to night. I could barely get in and out of my car. I did PT, had X-rays, exercised through the pain the best I could. Walking which is always been my saving Grace , was too painful for me to do. I stopped Anastrozole mid April. My hip pain is gone. I feel like my old 😊 self again. It is a very personal decision to take or not take med. it’s not an easy decision. My hubby and I discussed at length. Research and read studies etc as well as posts on this forum. Both sides w/ an open mind. I feel it is a good decision For Me.
I will see my oncologist in August and will let him know my decision. I am pretty sure he will be ‘upset’ w/ me. It is his job, ‘blinders on’ , to keep me cancer free or lessen the chance of reoccurring cancer. I understand that, but he needs to treat each patient as an individual, and I don’t believe he is. We will see.
I so appreciate the comments and caring posts that’s everyone offers. We are in this together and can learn so much from each other. ❤️