PS. I decided not to take drugs to block estrogennow because I had such a hard menopause emotionally all those years ago . I was taking estrogen/progesterone all the way up to receivng a cancer diagnoisis. i feel that's why I got the cancer as no one I know of in my family, all the way back to grandparents has had breast cancer except me.
Ironically, I think the estrogen it's self kept me younger . The oncologist said I'm younger than my actual age.
@raebaby ask your doc but I believe the drop in estrogen with aromatase inhibitors is less than the drop at menopause. But also did your doc mention tamoxifen at all? It is wonderful that you are feeling so good at 81!
Shortie0650,
If you have time I'd really appreciate hearing more about your experience with mistletoe as I'm in the process of researching it but haven't spoken with anyone who has actually used it. I'm 2 years into an MBC (metastatic) recurrence - it's in my bones and liver. Have gone through targeted therapies (Afinitor & Ibrance) but have a mutation (ESR1) that mitigates their effectiveness. . Then took an oral chemo (Xeloda) until it stopped being effective. Am now on Eribulin chemo infusions. QOL is manageable but could use improvement (walking is difficult and fatigue ever present). I'm in Santa Fe NM and have only found one practitioner, in Taos, who offers mistletoe and she's booked months out. My goal is to find someone who offers mistletoe, and maybe other CAM therapies, and specializes in cancer treatment. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated! Sending you best wishes for continued success. Adana
Sorry you are having such a challenge getting meds to fight this disease. Mistletoe is an interesting treatment and I am also curious. Please keep us posted on your progress. Best wishes on this unwanted journey.
May I ask who you found in Taos?
Start with The Moss Report on YouTube. Watch the podcast on mushrooms and cancer.
Turkey tail is very important.
Also checkout Fantastic Fungi on Netflix.
I started taking several mushroom supplements daily a few weeks after diagnosis. Scans 4 months and 8 months later were clear - NED. I continue to take a lower dosage now to help avoid recurrence.
Hope this helps.
No surgery or radiation to breast.
Letrozole for 4 months.
Refused Zometa.
Tried Ribociclib against my better judgment for 19 days. Bad side effects so refused to continue and refused the other 2 similar drugs.
Prior to diagnosis (advanced breast cancer metastasized to bones January 2022 at 72 years of age ) I was in excellent health with the exception of some arthritis. No chronic conditions and no medications. I’ve been eating plant based for 7 years.
No surgery or radiation to breast.
Letrozole for 4 months.
Refused Zometa.
Tried Ribociclib against my better judgment for 19 days. Bad side effects so refused to continue and refused the other 2 similar drugs.
Prior to diagnosis (advanced breast cancer metastasized to bones January 2022 at 72 years of age ) I was in excellent health with the exception of some arthritis. No chronic conditions and no medications. I’ve been eating plant based for 7 years.
@raebaby ask your doc but I believe the drop in estrogen with aromatase inhibitors is less than the drop at menopause. But also did your doc mention tamoxifen at all? It is wonderful that you are feeling so good at 81!
I tried tanoxifen and one other. I didn't like it so I quit. The oncologist didn't argue with me about that. I read so many women here complaining about how they don't feel well taking it. I'm 81 and would rather have a shorter life than feel bad everyday. I take gabapentin 300 mg 3X a day for the neuropathy in my feet. I'm one of the ones who get a high about 20 minutes after taking it. Maybe it's keeping me happy too; I feel great!
I believe I’m one of many on this site who takes Turkey tail. I had clean scans in May and September last year. Please keep in mind each of us responds differently to various substances.
PS. I decided not to take drugs to block estrogennow because I had such a hard menopause emotionally all those years ago . I was taking estrogen/progesterone all the way up to receivng a cancer diagnoisis. i feel that's why I got the cancer as no one I know of in my family, all the way back to grandparents has had breast cancer except me.
Ironically, I think the estrogen it's self kept me younger . The oncologist said I'm younger than my actual age.
I'm with you on that page. My menopause started with a lot of problems, like hemorrhage, not just heavy bleeding, at the most awkward times, like at work with customers? So, my doctor put me on estrogen/progesterone to stop it, which worked. She kept me on this for about 6 years, until there was some type of alarm bells and doctors took their patients off it. So, like you I had no woman in my very large Irish family that had any cancer, much less breast? So, as my cancer was estrogen dependent that's at least part of the reason I got breast cancer. And like you I look younger than my age, 79, with natural black hair, which people think it's dyed. It's not! I also have decided not to have any Arimidex, because I feel having taken estrogen/progesterone before which messed with my body, I'm not going to fool around with my body again, especially as it makes your bones weaker. Then another pill for that. No. Blessings on your forward journey.
I'm with you on that page. My menopause started with a lot of problems, like hemorrhage, not just heavy bleeding, at the most awkward times, like at work with customers? So, my doctor put me on estrogen/progesterone to stop it, which worked. She kept me on this for about 6 years, until there was some type of alarm bells and doctors took their patients off it. So, like you I had no woman in my very large Irish family that had any cancer, much less breast? So, as my cancer was estrogen dependent that's at least part of the reason I got breast cancer. And like you I look younger than my age, 79, with natural black hair, which people think it's dyed. It's not! I also have decided not to have any Arimidex, because I feel having taken estrogen/progesterone before which messed with my body, I'm not going to fool around with my body again, especially as it makes your bones weaker. Then another pill for that. No. Blessings on your forward journey.
I blame my actual breast cancer on taking my estrogen/progesterone right up until they found the cancer. But, i thnk i I had just enough natural estrogen in my body that I'm not all dried up now. In my peri menopause I had awful bleeding like you mention. I remember standing in the bathroom at the airport in Tahiti and my white pants were covered with blood. I had to wash them in the sink and put on wet pants. My good friend, a teacher, was horrified to find herself in front of her class bleeding like crazy.
We've been through it all and I hope to still have a long, healthy life ahead of me.Thanks for responding!
@raebaby ask your doc but I believe the drop in estrogen with aromatase inhibitors is less than the drop at menopause. But also did your doc mention tamoxifen at all? It is wonderful that you are feeling so good at 81!
Sorry you are having such a challenge getting meds to fight this disease. Mistletoe is an interesting treatment and I am also curious. Please keep us posted on your progress. Best wishes on this unwanted journey.
May I ask who you found in Taos?
Did you have surgery
Or any other treatment?
No surgery or radiation to breast.
Letrozole for 4 months.
Refused Zometa.
Tried Ribociclib against my better judgment for 19 days. Bad side effects so refused to continue and refused the other 2 similar drugs.
Prior to diagnosis (advanced breast cancer metastasized to bones January 2022 at 72 years of age ) I was in excellent health with the exception of some arthritis. No chronic conditions and no medications. I’ve been eating plant based for 7 years.
Thank you!!
You give us hope!!
Bless you and everyone else who's on this journey with us.
Stay strong everyone !💪
I’m not sure how this site works but are you the lady that took the turkey tail mushrooms know your cancer free?
I tried tanoxifen and one other. I didn't like it so I quit. The oncologist didn't argue with me about that. I read so many women here complaining about how they don't feel well taking it. I'm 81 and would rather have a shorter life than feel bad everyday. I take gabapentin 300 mg 3X a day for the neuropathy in my feet. I'm one of the ones who get a high about 20 minutes after taking it. Maybe it's keeping me happy too; I feel great!
I believe I’m one of many on this site who takes Turkey tail. I had clean scans in May and September last year. Please keep in mind each of us responds differently to various substances.
I'm with you on that page. My menopause started with a lot of problems, like hemorrhage, not just heavy bleeding, at the most awkward times, like at work with customers? So, my doctor put me on estrogen/progesterone to stop it, which worked. She kept me on this for about 6 years, until there was some type of alarm bells and doctors took their patients off it. So, like you I had no woman in my very large Irish family that had any cancer, much less breast? So, as my cancer was estrogen dependent that's at least part of the reason I got breast cancer. And like you I look younger than my age, 79, with natural black hair, which people think it's dyed. It's not! I also have decided not to have any Arimidex, because I feel having taken estrogen/progesterone before which messed with my body, I'm not going to fool around with my body again, especially as it makes your bones weaker. Then another pill for that. No. Blessings on your forward journey.
I blame my actual breast cancer on taking my estrogen/progesterone right up until they found the cancer. But, i thnk i I had just enough natural estrogen in my body that I'm not all dried up now. In my peri menopause I had awful bleeding like you mention. I remember standing in the bathroom at the airport in Tahiti and my white pants were covered with blood. I had to wash them in the sink and put on wet pants. My good friend, a teacher, was horrified to find herself in front of her class bleeding like crazy.
We've been through it all and I hope to still have a long, healthy life ahead of me.Thanks for responding!