Dear all,
I am on arimidex and zoladex injections (have been for about 4 months). I am pre-menopausal (age 49) but couldn’t have Tamoxifen as I had a blot clot when I was on chemo. I will need the zoladex for possibly 5 years as my consultant is not happy with stopping the zoladex injections after 2 years to see whether I have become post-menopausal as my cancer was small but high grade. He wants me to consider ovarian irradiation as an alternative to the zoladex injections.
Has anyone had their ovaries irradiated and did they have any side effects?
Thanks
Karon
hya karon
i have had my ovaries zapped and so far no side effects only hot flushes which i was having anyway on tamoxifen i am now on arimidex it just took 4 zapps and it was all over now im post menapausal x
Hi Jackie
Sorry to but in, I was due to go on Tuesday to have an Oomphorectomy at present on Tam and Zoladex, but couldnt stand the thought of another op so cancelled. How did you get zapped was it suggested by your consultant or did you have to ask for it sounds easier than another op.
Thanks
Karen
hi karen
i was given the option of removal, radiation or some kind of pod thing inserted into my stomach every month so i opted for radiation 4 zapps and its all over the only problem i had was a tender belly for about a weeek or so. i had mine done 4 weeks ago and i am fine
goog luck with what ever you decide xx
Hi Karon
Im really sorry to hear about your stuff and treatment. I was on zoladex for two years and it did affect my sleep, and then beyond that, menopausal symptoms (I´m 42) although because the monopause was induced it was rather more stronger. I basically slept for two months in intervals of two hours and then was ok. The worst thing was the fact my husband didnt understand what was going on. Maybe what was worse that that was that I did understand but my husband didnt want to any more…
xxx
Hi jojonomojo
Thanks for your comments know what you mean about the sleeping in intervals - got my next injection tommorow so goodbye sleep. Sorry to hear about hubby hope youre ok with that. Sometimes it is time to move on and that would have happened anyway.
Love and hugs
Karen
XX
Hi Jackie
Thanks for your comments back at drs for injection tommorow so will ask about iradiation. Thanks for taking the time to post.
Love and hugs
karen
XXX
hya karen
no problem hope all goes well for you i forgot to say about the sleepless nights friends of mine told me that it is a sympton of menopause but i can live with it
take care xx
Thanks for your comments ladies. I’m still humming and haaing? about whether to go for the radiation but am slowly coming round to the idea. I hadn’t twigged that it might be the zoladex affecting my sleep. I had only mentioned this morning that I have slept through the night on the last few nights and how unusual this is. I have my injection next Tuesday so will pay attention this time and see if I have disturbed nights again.
I think my main concern is any effects that might be caused by the radiation in the future, but I am glad to hear that Jackie hasn’t had any immediate problems.
Thanks
Karon (seem to be a lot of Karon’s, Karen’s here!)
Hi Eberyone
I have been on tamoxifen for 7 months and have not tolerated it well at all.
After advice from BC nurse to have a break from tamoxifen I have been asked to see con to discuss alternatives.
I would be grateful as to what route is more doable. I know we are all different but don’t want to feel poorly again.
I am 48 and er positive
Many Thanks
Kay x
Hi Karon,
Had my Zoladex injection today so I am going to keep a diary of symptoms for the next 4 weeks think it will be useful, have to admit after having had a week of sleep Im not looking forward to the waking up 3/4 times a night but Im starting to feel warmer already.
Love and hugs
Karen
XX
Hi Kay,
I’m 40yrs old and like you am ER+.
Ive had a year of feeling terrible on Tamoxifen, my BC nurse advised me to take a month off and see how i felt. Ive been off it now for 2.5mths and i feel great!
Had appt with Consltnt today to discuss options-of which it seems i have 2:
monthly injections of Zoladex for 2yrs or Oopherectomy.
My first reaction was to just get rid of the ovaries as they are the buggers producing the oestrogen in the first place so get 'em out ad it’ll be fine right?
Altough he agreed with the principal he stressed that the risk of me suffering with osteoporosis very early in life is huge with this option. I would have to be vigilant in managing my diet and make sure i have regular excercise to keep my bones strong.
My mum is of the opinion that i should go with the injections-of which im terrified! as any form of operation runs the risk of infection/blood clots etc and i’m not very god with anaesthetic!
I on the other hand can’t bear the thought of having another artificial menopause and then the real thing after 2yrs of injections!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Can anyone help me decide???
Tracy xxx
Hi Tracy
Thanks for your reply
I think I am gonna have those options given to me on Friday!!!
I just want to feel well and be able to function like I do now (been off tamoxifen for 5 weeks)
What a decision we have to make fed up tonight with it all!! Hence on laptop can’t sleep
Let me know what you decide and I’ll be in touch Friday
Take Care
Kay xx
Hi all, I am off to see consultant today to discuss similar probs! Tamoxifen made me suicidal and I’ve been off it a month now and feel great. I’ve already asked for a blood test to see where I am but suspect still pre-menopausal as 41 and chemo stopped my periods in March. I can’t really face the thought of monthly injections either. But there is the effect on your bones which seems inevitable reading other posts. We are all facing a big dilemma! Anyway I will see how today goes and report back…
Liz
Hi Liz
Good luck for today let us know how you get on, I think we went through chemo together somewhere in my fuzzy brain I seem to think. LOL
The Tam for me doesnt seem as bad as the Zoladex only had the injection yesterday and already so hot and up 3 times in the night due to night sweats. The lousy illness just seems to get better and better NOT.
Love and hugs
Karen
XX
Hi Karen, yes I remember you from “can’t sleep after first FEC”! Gosh it’s 5 months since we finished, can’t believe it. At the moment I am very wobbly from a blood test which has probably failed, after three attempts, the last in my hand, they managed to get a tiny bit. I nearly passed out after number two in my elbow, but all those veins are shot! Still, the appointment was very good…the specialist nurse said that even if I prove to be pre-menopausal arimidex is better than taking nothing, and it will be combined with zoladex (moan moan)! I asked about having my ovaries removed and she wasn’t keen at my age, 41, because of side effects on bones. She said ladies with a risk of ovarian cancer would be offered that and I don’t know about my risk. I can’t be offered genetic screening as I am adopted and only know that one relative, my maternal grandmother had bc in her late thirties.
I asked about ovary irradiation and she said that is no longer offered at Preston, due to potential damage to other organs.
I thought that their idea was for us never to have periods again, but apparently they WOULD like us to start again after a few years because of bone damage,etc. therefore tam and zoladex or arimidex and zoladex is the best for us, as it would take us past the first two years, which is when we are most at risk from recurrence. I hope this makes sense!
Like you Tracy I don’t really want the zoladex! What dilemmas we all face, as if the surgery/ chemo wasn’t bad enough.
Hugs to all in this hormone therapy minefield!
Liz x
Hi Kay & Liz,
Decisions, decisions!!
I cant believe how stressed i’ve felt trying to decide whato do!
I’ve discussed the options with my fella-new relationship bless him-bet hes wondering what hes got himself into! - he was helpful though as he weighed up what my quality of life would potentially be like whichever option i choose.
After another restless night weeping and wailing i think ive decided on the oopherectomy.
I know it’s drastic but it seems like the better option for me.
Good luck Friday Kay - let me know what you decide - it’s a tough one.
Love and hugs
Tracy xx
Glad that you have reached a decision Tracy and as we all know we are all individual so what is right for one of us might not be right for another. I think at the end of the day when youve looked at all the information gut instinct counts for a lot.
Hope you have a good nights sleep tonight.
Love and hugs
Karen
Hi Tracy
Ah bless you!!
Trying to not think about Friday! Am glad you have decided which direction to go in!
Keep thinking what if con says tamoxifen is the only thing for me? Can’t feel so poorly like that again.
Let me know when you have yr op!!
Will speak soon
Take Care
Kay x
Dear all,
It is so confusing reading everyones comments. I had just about decided to go for the irradiation when Liz brings up the thing I was most worried about - damage to other organs. My mother died from bowel cancer and so i am particularly worried about any radiaition damage to the bowel. It is quite worrying that some districts will offer this and some won’t. I like the idea of drawing a line under all the treatment and just having arimidex to worry about but I can cope with the injections if there is any danger of other damage from the irradiation.
Jackie, did they spell out any dangers to you before you had your irradiation?
Will probably make my decision after I have had my 1 year checkup at the end of the month.
As for the arimidex -I was terribly stiff when taking the tablets but now find I am slowly improving - did a 10 milw walk yesterday and although a bit stiff getting out of the car when I got home I was fine after a few minutes rest.
Regards
Karon