When you have hormone positive breast cancer, how to manage menopause?

I had Invasive ductile carcinoma, .6 cm tumor stage one. I’ve reached out to the cancer Society to ask about trials for the circumstances, and they responded by saying that these drugs help more people who have less side effects than those of us who have the terrible side effects, so they really aren’t doing any clinical trials. We just have to make Decisions based on our own situation, frame of mine, family input and prayers. I may try another drug for a while to see if that helps.. Hugs.

I tried different aromatase inhibitors and different manufacturers. I finally stayed with brand name Femara (letrozole) thought after 4 1/2 years I did find a generic I could tolerate- too late! I did feel safer with the brand name anyway.

After 5 years we can do the Breast Cancer Index test which shows whether there is any benefit to extended meds and tells us risk. I was high risk but no benefit to extended meds so I could feel okay about stopping. I originally thought I would do 7-10 years.

For those suffering horrible side effects, doing as much as you can tolerate after trying different ones and different manufacturers/brand name, makes a lot of sense. There may be modalities that help (my PT does massage) or supplements so it might be worth seeing a holistic provider but I understand that for some, nothing makes these drugs worthwhile.

I have been on bone meds for almost three years and those have been harder to tolerate, much harder, than letrozole. Our bodies are all so different. I do think some side effects with AI's may ease up after the first 6 months- at least in my experience.

Hi
I did not qualify for an oncotype test. How many milligrams did you do?

I don't personally know anyone who suffered terrible side effects on AI's and some seemed to have none at all.

@sue417 I don't understand your question. If you were ER+ and HER2- why didn't you have an Oncotype? You can still have one. There is one for DCIS as well.

The results are very different than what pathology suggests, for some of us. My cousin unexpectedly needed chemo (dspite grade 1) and I unexpectedly did not (despite grade 3).

These meds treat hormonal cancers by reducing estrogen below detectable levels. They have spared many many women from chemo (as has the Oncotype). I am not sure what alternative there would be that could effectively remove hormonal risk.

HiWhen your hormone positive for breast cancer and you cannot take HRT what can you take fir menopause symptoms. Since I have been off my HRT last October I feel nauseated and feel very unwell everyday. I had very bad menopause and when I went on HRT I felt great.

@sue417 show your doctor this

@sue417 show your doctor this

Hi
I have only met 1 person locally whi was able to tolerate the meds. I have an appointment this Thursday with my oncologist so I know he's going to discuss the AIS with me I really don't know what I'm going to do . I had dcis with a very microscopic break in 1 wall nodes were clear

Sorry had the name wrong its DCISion Rt test

HiWhen your hormone positive for breast cancer and you cannot take HRT what can you take fir menopause symptoms. Since I have been off my HRT last October I feel nauseated and feel very unwell everyday. I had very bad menopause and when I went on HRT I felt great.