My cancer is Oestrogen receptive and see Oncologist soon. Thought it would just be pop a couple of pills and off you go but reading up the side effects seems awful. Do you get choice, I am post menopausal so what do I expect?
Norma
Hi Norma
I’ll be interested in the response to this too as i may well be in the same boat.
best wishes
Ruth
im pre-menopausal so have been put on tamoxifen im oestrogen and progesterone positive, but her2 negative…so tamoxifen for me for the next five years. Ive been on it 2 weeks now and apart from sore ankles and a headache (not worked out if thats school holiday chasing after kids all day or a side effect yet). Ive been fine, its still early days, but im guessing and ive heard that most side effects pop up in the first 6 weeks…so still got a while to go yet. I think for post menopausal you get arimedex…but not sure…all down to your poison doc end of the day. The side effect list…although looks horrendous…is mostly to cover the companies on backside…if you look on the leaflet that comes with paracetamol or any other pills and potions the side effects could put you off ever taking paracetamol again
i am oestrogon and progesteron (can’t spell) and am pre menopause
Have been told that after rads i will be put on tamoxifen
AM her neg so wont be having herceptin (same as you Buttons)
Jools
It is difficult to say what you will face as we all react differently. I have had relatively little problems with tamoxifen (night-cramps were the most tiresome aspect). You don’t say if you have had other treatment already. {come back, personal profiles - all is forgiven and we miss you dreadfully]
Hi Normsky I started the Arimadex 2 weeks ago I had a masectomy and 8 lots of chemo I finished the chemo 4 weeks ago and I felt great We celebrated for a wek afterwards as I was so well. I wasent looking forward to starting these tablets. I dont want to sound like I am moaning but I did read up on these and the side effects seemed awful. Well after the first week they started I have got the sore legs and Arms I have to take about 8 pain killers a day they do help though. The only thing I am worried about is my liver in case the pain killers are affecting it. I have to stay on these tablets for 5 years so I cant take 8 pain killers every day for 5 years. I cant go back yet to my oncologist as he would probably tell me I havent given them enough time. So I will give them another few months to see if the pain gets any better. I have spoke to many ladies about these tablets and they have told me that they are suppose to be the best tablets on the market not many reaccurancies after taking them. Thats what keeps me going I suppose its a small price to pay for staying alive. I am 48 I had started the menopause when I was 45 so I suppose I am classed as post-menopausal. When I started the menopause I was having terrible mood swings and the hot sweats very bad so my doctor put me on HRT and I blame them for my BC I tell all my friends who are just starting the menopause not to take them. I think I have scared them off from them they are all suffering in silence. I do hope you get sorted out soon and I also hope I havent scared you as it wasent my intention to please let me know how you get on Love Lindaxx
Hiya Norma.
You sound similar to me - post menopausal with Oestrogen receptive cancer. The side effects of the hormonal treatments can sound awful - but I think that the published ones are probably the worst case scenarios and luckily only afew of us get them at their worst. I have been on the Arimidex for the last eight months and consider myself extremely lucky, side effects have been minimal - some joint and muscle discomfort, this I find is eased if I keep up a bit of exercise so I go to the gym 3 - 4 times a week. I have swopped times of day for taking this tablet and have found that if I take it first thing in the morning I don’t have the trouble with night sweats and disrupted sleep that I had if I take it at night. Recently I have had some mild nausea - to date though this has not had any effect on weight loss!!
I believe there is a choice of several treatments so if one does not agree then another one may do the trick - your bc team will be happy to discuss.
Let us know how you get on.
best regards
Gill