Conflicted on taking medication

Yes Quality of life is important It should be part of any treatment plan when possible
Thank you

Why did you doctor not recommended radiation?

Hi 7318:

I do find it unusual that your doctor put you on tamoxifen as you are not pre-menopausal.

As you did have some difficulty with it, ask if you can try one of the AI's.

Also, did the doctor say that al, that swelling was a result of going off tamoxifen or something else? Is your Internist and Cardiologist aware that that happened? Did anyone do anything about it????

I communicated thru my chart with oncologist I don’t have a cardiologist or internist at this time I changed Medicare plans at the start of this year, for years I had a Medicare supplement plan I went back to AZ for my annual exam I ‘m in CA The older I got the higher the premiums for a supplement Really couldn’t afford it I felt to at my age should find a Dr here
So here I go yearly mammogram new plan and dx with CA what are the odds I was so overwhelmed didn’t do a lot of research Surgeon felt didn’t need radiation I went to urgent care for edema she ordered blood and PT for pain Labs were ok Swelling is gone now
But still some edema of face I see oncologist today Picked up Tamoxifen 5 mg
By different manufacturer
Haven’t started it yet
Thanks for your input So difficult when you try to do what is prescribed and not able to
From what I have read when you stop Tamoxifen it can take several months to get out of your system and cause swelling
Will keep you posted on what Dr has to say
Again thank you

I’m hoping too that there will be better treatments as years go by. If you research clinical trials for breast cancer there are many. I’m in one now hoping to end the awful disease that we have.
Stay positive and well everyone one day at time we are all stronger than we think. We are women hear us roar back off cancer we will be the winner in this fight.

Yes hopefully preventative vaccines on the horizon
Thank you We are born strong

Surgeon said after surgery She wouldn’t do radiation just take a little pill once a day Like taking a stick of dynamite I think I was so surprised and unprepared not even thinking about breast cancer My mammograms had been fine Later I heard the usually they stop doing mammograms after she 75 Now that too late probably for radiation since I have stopped taking Tamoxifen for 3 months .Oncologist said we thought you could take an estrogen blocker Seemed surprised that I said so many people had bad and many S/E’s from drug and stopped Maybe should have radiology evaluation just in case
Don’t know the percentage of women who stop drug but many I think and a lot of women are able to tolerate it
He said drug is out of your system in 2weeks took me 3 months before finally felt better Still having hot flashes but not as many and difficulty sleeping which was never a problem for me

I was diagnosed 16 yrs ago,, and diagnosed this year w a NEW cancer in contralateral breadt...not a recurreance. 16 yrs ago I had stage 1 grade 1 DCIS with a quadrenectomy, 30 radiation treatments and lasted 2 1/2 yrs on Tamoxiphen... The joint pain and word retrieval/speech fluency bece concerning. I had annual mogrsms and was stunned when I was Diagnosed in Feb with the new cancer. Surgery, followed by radiation w daily boost for 15 days.. which is equivalent of 30 again. Taking Anastrozole andhad severe joint pain and some brain fog for first 5 months but that has all but disapatedd now. I see my oncologist next month. Diet plays a BIG part for me as my cancer is estrogen positive... I have changed my diet cutting out sugars and other foods known to fuel estrogen increasing risk for recurrence. Get a second opinion if you are doubting or not feeling comfortable w your treatment plan. You are your best advocate. And don't be afraid to question. You're provides.Wishing you all the best

Absolutely and do a lot of research, be your own health and well being advocate! Follow your Intuition and do what is right for you! Don’t forget to take good care of your Mental Health as this Cancer Journey is not an easy one!! Finding Support Groups and getting Counseling is so important along with healthy eating habits and regular exercise!!
Sending Comfort and Healing to everyone in this Cancer Journey🙏💕

Don’t know Now has given me a referral to radiology After I had stopped Tamoxifen I started the Tamoxifen 5mg a day and a different manufacturer this week after stopping it for 3 months due to side effects
See how it goes Does Raloxifene cause swelling to
I know I keep saying how old I’am I was diagnosed this year at 80 and turned 81 in April Wonder how much an older body can take
😊👍🙏