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Letrozole and checking estrogen levels
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Aug 8 5:47pm | Replies (93)Comment receiving replies
I, too, was in the same situation and very frustrated with their lack of concern/interest in serum estrogen levels. They seemed so important during the Anastrozole study I was in. But when I "failed" the study, the estrogen levels were no longer important. Seemed very contradictory to me. I decided not to go on Letrozole, which was the next AI in line. The side effects/payout wasn't worth it for me. I am amping up my immune system for overall better health (guided by integrative medicine physician). It was a very difficult decision for me, but I don't want fear to run my life. I'm doing the best I can and what will, hopefully, work for me. There is no magic pill/program for everyone. We all need to support each other and do what we can to move forward and be positive. I wish all the best to you in your journey.
Replies to "I, too, was in the same situation and very frustrated with their lack of concern/interest in..."
Thanks Dee Chase,
I wish you a good and pain free recovery as well. I have been to a naturopath doctor today to find out about "Mistletoe therapy". It's offered here in Switzerland as an alternative medicine treatment in conjunction with radiation/chemo or hormone therapy. It's exactly as you said to boost the immune system in order for your own body to fight the cancer cells. I will be doing that.
Another treatment that is available but in another "holistic clinic" is called fever therapy. They activate a fever on purpose, and raise the body temperature to a level that causes you to sweat and during the high temperature, apparently, the body can fight cancer and other such viral sicknesses. I may or may not give it a try at a later stage. Right now, I would prefer the mistletoe rather than letrozole because my risk is quite low in comparison to the side effects of osteoporosis and Cholesterol, both of which I'm already progressing towards. I don't need to add more medicines, to combat those which again have their own side effects. !
Mistletoe, does not "cure" cancer as such but is only a complementary treatment to combat the effects of radiation/chemo etc. And boost the immune system. I think it is very much used in Europe, and Asia, but I can't say if it's available in America.
Good luck.
Hi Dee,
Check out this website. https://www.iscador.com/en/
I started this treatment today while continuing with radiation.
Let's see how it works. This is miraculusly covered by the health insurance, which normally never considers alternative medicine remedies, so I'm assuming it must have passed some standards and proven to work.
Big hugs, Ruth
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I took letrozole for 5 1/2 months then my oncologist said I could take a break because of extreme side effects. She now wants me to take exemestane to see what side effects I might experience. After 4 1/2 months my trigger thumbs are finally getting better. I'm trying to decide whether to go back on the AIS. I don't really want to put my body through this kind of test. I'm puzzled why the doctors aren't interested in tracking estrogen levels. My primary physician used to be a naturopath before cancer. She tracked my hormone levels because I was taking bioidentical HRT. I think I will have to go to her and pay out of pocket for a blood test to track estrogen levels. It's expensive and medicare won't pay for it. This is being a very difficult decision for me, as well, and I found your post helpful and hopeful! I don't want fear to run my life either. I'm still in the information gathering stage and seeking support. My oncologist has said that if I choose not to take the AIs she can only see me once a year to palpate the scar left by the bilateral mastectomy. Evidently there is no other screening available to track possible recurrance, and then if/when symptoms show up. I'm hoping my PCP will provide some support, as well. My Oncodx score was 11. ILC