is there any ladies out there not taking hormone therapy? I have decided not to because of the side effects and have you found any alternatives to reduce oestrogen dominance?
Hi Mags2
I’ve posted many times about this and feel quite strongly about it. I took tamoxifen for 3 weeks and stopped because of the side effects. I’ve had one oncologist advise I have my ovaries removed so they can give me one of the aromatase inhibitors they give to post menopausal women and other one say it’s not a big issue as my periods stopped during chemo so he now considers me post menopausal so I won’t be producing oestrogen. Oh really?? My bcn also said they weren’t bothered unless my periods come back.
I’ve just come to the conclusion none of them really know anything for sure. They throw the same treatments at everyone and keep their fingers crossed. I know someone who was on tamoxifen and had 2 recurrances.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for what the medical profession has done for me so far. I’ve had WLE, chemo, bilateral mx and now I’m on Herceptin.
I want to get back to as normal as possible now and I’m prepared to take the small risk that comes from not taking the hormone drugs. Both my GP and one of the other bcns agreed with me that quality of life is more important.
I think keeping weight down and keeping fit helps as fat makes oestrogen and I’m working on that.
Sorry for the long post. This is one of my pet subjects. It’s just me personal opinion and I’m not trying to sway anyone else x
Hi ladies,I am having the same debate.Have been taking Tamoxifen for 2 weeks and have terrible joint pain ,if these side effects do not diminish I really don’t think the decrease in risk is worth such an impact on my quality of life.I have heard that the "post menopausal "drugs can have some unpleasant side effects too.Problem will be if I do get a re-occurance I will you blame myself for not taking the drugs even it it may have happened anyway.
As long as you’re are comfortable with your decision that is all that matters.Its your body and you have to live with the side effects .
Hi ladies just to say this is my second time with a new primary breast cancer and took tamoxifen first time round for five years only for it to come back even though I have been cancer free for a number of years but put nearly 2 stone in weight on with tamoxifen. I agree being overweight even slightly can make more oestrogen so trying my best to lose some. Just wondered if anyone has been down the herbal route for oestrogen dominance?
It certainly doesn’t guarantee you won’t get a reoccurrence .Ive not heard of herbal approach.
Ladies, just wanted to say if we read the side effects for every medication we took we’d never take anything. I have been on Tamoxifen for 3 years and apart from mild hot flushes to begin with have had no problems at all. I agree if you take the drug and find you have side effects that you can’t live with it’s one thing, but I really don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t give it a go when they could be completely problem free - it’s a no brainer in my opinion.
Agree , I’ve come to hate the buggers, just taken mega dose of ibuprofen to stop my joint pain keeping me awake.
Belinda & Kess
Delighted to hear you are miles down the line and doing well, it’s always very encouraging and I hope to be able to post in ten years time to support and encourage other women.
Hopefully by that time the medics and drug companies will have come up with something better than the drugs we are prescribed today and ladies in the future won’t have to put up with some horrible side effects that prevent some of them from getting on with their lives after surgery, chemo and rads. It’s a difficult and emotional period in our lives and the pressure put on some ladies by their doctor to take the hormones borders on bullying. Tamoxifen is a wonderful drug but not for all of us
Sheena