Aromatase Inhibitors: Did you decide to go on them or not?

@mom23boys
Thanks, Peggy. I've made a note of that to remember. I had the bronchiectasis/atelectasis about the year before I found my cancer. That scars and thickens the lungs - in my case, the lower lungs. The mucus gets stuck in the little air tubes...it's kind of like cystic fibrosis in kids. I had seen information on n-acetyl cysteine (NAD) that helped people with COPD for their lung problems so I thought, what the heck, I'd try that as I have to wear a machine that basically thumps the lungs to break up the mucus. So it's pretty coincidental that they had seen a couple of nodes all along and then since starting this supplement they reduced in size. I can now breathe fairly normally again. So much has happened in the last couple of years for patients with lung cancer - it is just amazing. A friend in my local cancer support group recently had surgery for her lung met and is doing well. The best way forward is being positive and that's how you appear to me. All the best to you, Peggy.

hello Peggy I was reading your comment to mom23boys, was wondering what shots are you taking for your bones?
I have osteoporosis and dr. is wanting me to go on prolia. do the shots help with bone loss? I am a stage 4 lung cancer patient.
thanks any advise will help.

Hi Loula! How are you doing today? I get Xgeva (Denosumab) shots every 3 months or so to strengthen my bones. Besides mets from my breast cancer I also have osteoporosis and osteopenia they found when doing my work-up at diagnosis and did a bone density test. I'm not fully understanding all that is accomplished by the Xgeva but I copied this from on-line and maybe it's better than how I could explain it. Xgeva is a brand (trade) name for denosumab. Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody that is used to prevent bone-related events by binding to a protein called RANKL on osteoclasts (the cells that break down bone), inhibiting their formation, function, and survival. This decreases bone breakdown and increases bone density and strength in both the outer layer of bone and the inner spongy layer inside the bone. I hope that helps. I'm not real good at explaining a lot of this medical stuff.
I am just curious as to what type of treatment you receive for Lung Cancer, if you don't mind. I lost my mom to LC way back in 1987. All they had for her at the time was a radioactive isotope they implanted and some outer radiation txts. I hope they've come much further with their treatment options. I wish you all the best!

Peggie

Hello Peggy, Thanks for the info on Xgeva, hope your bone density is doing better now. Yes they now have many ways to treat Lung cancer I just had my first chemo treatment 2 1/2 weeks ago, they started me on Keytruda and Taxol-Carbo all went very well then around 4 days in felt like I got hit by a truck for around a week, wow you went through a lot with 33 rounds of radiation hope you are doing well going through all that.

stay healthy happy Spring
Cynde

Has anyone taking Tamoxifen experienced severe leg cramps at night? I've been taking it for a long time, and this is a new problem. I just want to try to figure out if Tamoxifen could be causing it.

@sparklegram
I was offered Tamoxifen, but because of a family history of stroke/clots, I declined. Your leg cramps may be nothing bad, but please check with your doctor because Tamoxifen can promote clots (thrombosis) in your legs. HOWEVER, it could be something as simple as low magnesium. So again, please connect with your doctor. Let us know how you do, okay?

Before worry about clots, try taking a magnesium supplement. You should feel a difference within half an hour. I take it all the time, however I stopped all aromatase and tamoxifin because of the side effects.

Thank you so much, @trixie1313. I will email my doctors today, both my general practitioner and my oncologist.

@jeaniebean, thank you for your reply. I do take a daily supplement of Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin D3. 5 MCG of D3, 333 mg of calcium, magnesium oxide 133mg, zinc 5 mg. Is that enough magnesium?

I always take it whenever my legs cramp, at night. There is a product called Calm that I love. There isnt any sleeping formula in it but I always fall asleep shortly after. I get a lot of cramping as I have phlebitis. It stops right away. Sometimes you just need more.