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Exploring other treatment options, rather than AI med
I was wondering if anyone has explored other options for treatment, such as diet; supplements or holisitc medicine, rather that continue or start on a AI medicine. If so, has it been successful? Will appreciate your share.
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I just saw your cholesterol and fish oil comment. I finally got around to actually adding Omega 3 supplements to my regime and realized, a week later, that I felt better in some hard-to-identify-way. I'd given a few bottles to a male friend. He said that he also feels physically better since taking them. Our respective diets had few omega 3 sources other than almonds so that was an oversight on my part. I'll be curious to see upcoming cardio-profile blood work results .
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4 ReactionsHow was it determined you were reverted back to premenopausal stage? Did you have symptoms and blood tests were ran? Did you ever have a hysterectomy or ovaries removed prior or post treatment?
After not having periods for 4 years, I suddenly started up again and had breast pain and uterine cramping to the point where I could not stand up straight. I'd say that's a major regression:(
I have not had a hysterectomy or oophorectomy.
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2 ReactionsI have never heard of this. Sorry you had to go through it.
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1 ReactionThanks, it was definitely scary.
@deechase like many of us, you have a very complex situation with conflicting priorities medically. However, I am not sure why you did not have chemo with an Oncotype of 30. From the site:
"Patients with Recurrence Score results 26–100 significantly benefit from the addition of chemotherapy to endocrine therapy.2,3"
Of course when I was diagnosed the TailorX trial was not done yet and noone knew what to do with intermediate scores like, say, 18. Many intermediate score patients were having chemo back in 2014.
You were taking 4 times the usual dose. And as discussed on this forum, studies of letrozole showed that even 20% of that usual dose of 2.5mg was effective. So you were taking 20 times that.
It is mysterious why that would kick in periods. One would think it would mean estrogen suppression for sure.
Have you tried just 2.5mg alternating days to start? What grade and type of cancer did you have and how strongly responsive to estrogen?
Just thinking here...the various tests can be confusing. There's the OncotypeDX and another Oncotype Assay thing (forgot exact name). And then there's the huge difference between the OncotypeDX "Recurrence Score" and the same test's 'Risk of Recurrence (locoregional) Within Nine Years."
If it was her Recurrence Score that was 30, her "risk" score is likely around 1/2 of that, give or take a few points. And would not "recommend" chemo as having a good reward/risk benefit. But that number is based on stat data pool if taking 'tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors.'
Not the easiest choice IF the drugs aren't tolerable but worth giving them every try before ruling them out I think. It's easy to say that as I'm not the person dealing with the conundrum but I like the middle-path of trying a few, at different doses...if they work, fine. If not, no regrets.
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1 ReactionI decided to give AI a try, taking every other day to see how I tolerate it. I’m still planning to continue research of natural options. Would like to hear from those that have tried a natural route.
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2 ReactionsI decided to start an AI, every other day, to see how I tolerate it. But, I still plan to continue research on natural treatments. I’m thinking of possibly seeing a functional Dr., Is that the type of dr. That has helped you?
One thing that might be interesting to research is
3,3'-Diindolylmethane aka DIM. Some people are taking it to reduce estrogen. I don't know if it doesn though make body builders are using it to prevent testosterone from converting to estrogen to lose 'man books'. But I looked at a handful of studies suggesting it has strong anti-tumor properties for breast cancer cells. Since it's mostly found in cruciferous vegetables that are also mineral-rich, I'm doubling them in my diet. (A few of the studies noted that the vegetables are more powerful raw than cooked. I think broccoli smoothies are palatable when made with fresh apple and some ginger simple syrup. But I can drink vegetables that I otherwise wouldn't like to eat so smoothies are my
friends in getting more fresh vegetables into diet.)
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