Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therapy

Discussions relating to primary breast cancer and treatment. Also for those recently diagnosed, and for those concerned about possible symptoms of breast cancer.
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DancerMel28
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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby DancerMel28 » Wed Feb 23, 2011 11:47 am

Thought I'd post my question here rather than start a new thread. I've been on tamoxifen since October and had been handling things quite well that is until about 3 weeks ago. I've been getting terrible nausea morning and night (not so much during the day), terrible leg cramps (couldn't walk the other day) and I bruise really easily - i basically have to put ice on every little bump otherwise I end up with these huge purple bruises.

I'm interested in finding out more about the fillers - when I got my script filled 2 weeks ago they had changed the brand and when I questioned why, it was because the one I had been taking went into liquidation and the one I got given had taken them over. Am wondering if it is a differnet tablet and so things are more amplified?

Could also be that I'm doing too much too soon also as I;ve been back at full time work for 5 weeks. I don;t know! I felt that crook this morning I just couldn't force myself to get up and go to work. I rang my Oncologist and she's a bit sceptical that the tamox is causing this as I've had no issues until now, she's told me to stop taking it and see if things improve, she's going to get me to get some blood tests and I will see her in two weeks time. So we'll see I guess?

In the mean time if anyone has any suggestions with things to help these symptoms I'd be very grateful!!

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AndyK
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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby AndyK » Thu Feb 03, 2011 3:36 pm

I thought I'd post a tip that seems to be helping me out with the hot flushes. I've taken to carrying around some wet-wipes. When I start to feel that prickly sensation coming on, I grab one out and freshen myself up. Just a quick wipe over my head, face, neck and down my arms and I'm feeling better alot quicker.

Hope this helps someone else also.
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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby erint » Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:01 pm

Kitty, I was getting a lot of headaches on Tamoxifen, but they've gone since my hyperactive thyroid was diagnosed and treated. I wasn't inclined to run to the GP or specialist with every whinge, so I self diagnosed a lot. Could have been feeling this good a lot sooner, so I highly recommend checking in with your doctor and taking a list of all your se's. I was surprised by how many there were, and that's when the docs started looking for more. Also, how's your posture, sometimes those 4 day headaches are related to neck tension, and once you work out what is causing them it goes away without meds. Mersyndol is great for that type of headache, has paracetamol, codeine and a nice little relaxant/antihistamine thing which makes you sleepy. Hope you're feeling better soon.
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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby Crystalady » Sun Jan 23, 2011 6:38 pm

Kitty, Have you had your blood pressure tested. Sometimes that can cause them. Otherwise I found Ibrufen based alagesics helped but you should check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
First diagnosed in Dec 1998. Thyroid cancer 2006. Thought I was free and clear after 10 years but no, mets in spine in Dec 2008. Femara stopped working October 2010.Was on Aromasin and zometa. Now taking Xeloda and Zometa.Xeloda not working Dec 2011. Tamoxifen started. Feb 2012 Now on Abraxane.

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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby Barbara » Sun Dec 05, 2010 2:23 am

Andy i went to the MSAC clinic at KEMH and the specialist breast care nurse there is fabulous, very knowledgeable and caring. She moved appointments around and got me in within a week instead of waiting 2-3, plus spent about an hour on the phone talking.

I was originally on femara and moved off that after 6 months on to tamoxifen due to crippling side effects, I found my menopause symptons rapidly escalated when on tamoxifen for 3 months, I moved off it due to migraines and now take aromasin and no side effects.
Cheers
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Dx October 2008 grade 3 dc, rb mastectomy and aux clearance November 2008. 3 x FEC, 3 x Docetaxyl, Herceptin 12 mnths. Letrozole 2009 3 mths stopped due to bone pain, Tamoxifen 3 mths stopped due to migraine, 2010 Aromasin continuing.

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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby AndyK » Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:16 am

I asked my Onc about taking something to counteract the side effects, and he said to try and give it 6 months before I take anything. OK for him, he doesn't have to put up with it. :)
Anyway, he said he can put me on antidepressants, as that would help. But I don't really want to go down that road. I'm a happy and creative person, and don't want to mess with that. Also, I don't want to take anything that will mess with my racing.
He did mention that there's a Menopause after Cancer clinic that he can recommend me to once I'm actually on the drug in a months time. They can help with both prescription and natural remedies... I'll let you know once I've been.

PS: I didn't realise that you can still be fertile while taking tamoxafin... it was a little shock when the onc said, you won't get a period, but you might still get pregnant. You may not necessarily be in full menopause.... poor hubby... he'll have to find a more permanent contraception.
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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby Warriormummy » Wed Nov 03, 2010 10:54 pm

My Onc has suggested taking Vitamin E to alleviate the hot flushes I've been having due to Tamoxifen. He quoted a study that showed many women benefitted from this. Has anyone had any experience/success with this?

He also told me Tamoxifen helps build bone density, but from my own research that only seems to apply to menopausal women.
Dx 16/12/09 at 35 Bilateral Mast, Multifocal - 4 Lobular in LB, DCIS in RB, ER+ PR+ Her 2- FEC x3 5wks Rads Taxotere x3 Tamoxifen, immediate recon with expanders, have since removed expanders and had DIEP flap instead BRCA2. Blog: www.keepgoingmaria.blogspot.com

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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby chrismelb » Wed Nov 03, 2010 8:28 pm

I always go for the generic cos i'm a tight a.... but i'm not on Tamoxifen. when i was i took Genox.
Dx 9/03 EBC
5/12 ABC bones-Herceptin,Tamox&Zometa
8/12 Liver mets-Abraxane,Herceptin&Zometa
6/13 Xeloda/Tykerb Xgeva
11/14 TDM1 Xgeva
1/15 Rads to tumour in head
2/16 Whole brain rads lepto. mets, continue TDM1
8/16. Navelbine, Herceptin
1/17 Neratanib Xeloda & Herceptin.

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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby blue&white » Tue Nov 02, 2010 9:58 pm

Jan, thanks again, i think. :pmsl:

Michelle (NTM)
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Janette
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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby Janette » Tue Nov 02, 2010 1:57 pm

http://www.bcna.org.au/news/latest-news ... epressants

New research on Tamoxifen and antidepressants

Wednesday, 10 February 2010

You may have seen or heard recent media coverage about new research that has shown a link between tamoxifen and certain antidepressant drugs in some women. This builds on other studies in this area.

The research, reported in the British Medical Journal, shows that the antidepressant paroxetine, commonly sold in Australia under the brand name Aropax, may impair the effectiveness of tamoxifen when the two drugs are taken together.

The researchers stressed that paroxetine itself does not cause or influence the course of breast cancer, but that it can reduce the body's ability to metabolise tamoxifen.

Other types of antidepressants were not found to have this effect when taken with tamoxifen.

It is not recommended that women stop taking tamoxifen or their antidepressant medication. However, if you are taking tamoxifen and a form of paroxetine, you may like to talk to your GP or oncologist about the study's findings to determine the best treatment for you.

BCNA's Depression and Breast Cancer fact sheet recommends women speak to their doctor before starting, stopping or altering any antidepressant medication.

The National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre has commented on the research and you can view their statement on the NBOCC website. NBOCC recommends that women who are taking this combination of drugs may like to discuss it with their doctor.
Janette


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Janette
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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby Janette » Tue Nov 02, 2010 1:16 pm

No Tamoxifen is the name of the actual drug, so I think you are correct.
Janette




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Gail
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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby Gail » Tue Nov 02, 2010 12:56 pm

I stand corrected!
"You Gotta Laugh!"

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Diagnosed April 2006,Lumpectomy,17 of 25 nodes positive, chemo, radiation. Finished treatment March 07
Diagnosed July 2012 cancer of mediastinal(nodes around lungs and heart)pelvis and spine. Up for the fight!

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Janette
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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby Janette » Tue Nov 02, 2010 12:33 pm

This is from the wiki

Tamoxifen is an antagonist of the estrogen receptor in breast tissue via its active metabolite, hydroxytamoxifen. In other tissues such as the endometrium, it behaves as an agonist, hence tamoxifen may be characterized as a mixed agonist/antagonist. It has been the standard endocrine (anti-estrogen) therapy for hormone-positive early breast cancer in post-menopausal women, although aromatase inhibitors have been proposed.[1]

Some breast cancer cells require estrogen to grow. Estrogen binds to and activates the estrogen receptor in these cells. Tamoxifen is metabolized into compounds that also bind to the estrogen receptor but do not activate it. Because of this competitive antagonism, tamoxifen acts like a key broken off in the lock that prevents any other key from being inserted, preventing estrogen from binding to its receptor. Hence breast cancer cell growth is blocked.

Tamoxifen was discovered by ICI Pharmaceuticals[2] (now AstraZeneca) and is sold under the trade names Nolvadex, Istubal, and Valodex. However, the drug, even before its patent expiration, was and still is widely referred to by its generic name "tamoxifen."
Janette




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Gail
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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby Gail » Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:56 am

:pmsl: :pmsl: I would think Tamoxifen is the real Tamoxifen!
"You Gotta Laugh!"

Gail


Diagnosed April 2006,Lumpectomy,17 of 25 nodes positive, chemo, radiation. Finished treatment March 07
Diagnosed July 2012 cancer of mediastinal(nodes around lungs and heart)pelvis and spine. Up for the fight!

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Re: Members suggestions what helped them thru hormone therap

Postby blue&white » Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:50 am

Thanks janette - I ceased getting a generic brand just for this reason - just in case. Um, I'm taking Nolvadex-D. Is this the real Tamoxifen??

Will the real Tamoxifen please stand up? :pmsl:
:ouch:


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