15mm grade 2 invasive ductal, 100% er and pr +ve HER -ve , I’m nearly 45 and pre menopausal.
Thought would have been offered zoladex or have discussions re switching off/shutting down or even taking out ovaries but what happens in North Wales is we just get offered tamoxifen, not sure if this is a new way of thinking or we are behind everyone else on this one !
Have been told that tests and trials being done all the time and in the next 5 years there could be decisions made as to length of time on hormone therapy…could be increased to 10 years… as I haven’t even started down this road don’t know if that is a good thing or not, will keep you posted on how I get on.
Would be interested in views from others in same position,thank you.
Hi Sandra, i was grade 3, 16mm, vascular invasion seen, highly er pr and her weak, i only got offered tamoxifen too, i was 44 and no where near menopausal, since then i have fought for a total hysterectomy and bilateral oopherectomy, and am now on an aromasaine inhibitor, please don’t think its just in your corner of the uk, my pct is awful as well
lots of love
Alisonxxx
Hi
I was diagnosed Aug 2003 (38 and 7 months pregnant) and have been on Tamox since Jan 04. My lovely onc who I trust implicitly has said that the other options would “roger my skelaton” so I’m going to be on Tamox for the forseeable future as I’m still well and truely pre-meno. He has said that they are currently looking into increasing the length of time being on tamox from the standard 5 yrs to 8 or more. In the “olden days” women would have been on it for 10-15 yrs and they would have been at an increased risk from uterine cancer because of their age.
I too have begged for zoladex/ovary removal but can see the reasons for his counter argument.
Thanks for your replies,I just wish there was a straight answer to what form of treatment gives me the best chances. I mean why give zoladex with tamoxifen if it isn’t deemed absolutely necessary, but quite obviously some oncs think that is the best treatment while others don’t,gosh where does that leave us if the so called experts can’t agree .
I have questioned all of my treatment. I was dx in Oct 2006 with 2cm Invasive grade 2 oestrogen + lump. I had WLE, 6 nodes removed. No node involvement and no vascular involvement. I was curious as to why they didn’t offer me chemo and why I didn’t need Zoladex. After 2 and half years on Tamoxifen, I can manage the side effects fine as long as I keep taking some anti depressants which keep my menopausal symptoms at bay. I am 46 by the way. I still have periods at a rate of one every 2, 3, 4 or 9 months. I have come to the conclusion that I wouldn’t have wanted chemo unless it was really necessary and they musn’t have thought it necessary. And, after reading of the problems ladies on Zoladex have, I am pleased I don’t have that either. I am now in the lucky position of being far enough down the line to not be constantly thinking of BC and have to trust that I have had all the recommended treatment available to me.
I was diagnosed Dec 06 age 44 (nearly 47 now and pre meno), 12mm grade 2 lobular with no nodes. I too was told chemo not necessary but had 25 rads and been on tamoxifen just over 2 years now. I too was told zoladex or ovary removal not necessary and that’s even though they know I have a very heavy period every 4 weeks still and have done throughout the tamoxifen. Am just told tamoxifen will still be working. I guess our medical teams are all different and I hope they know what’s right for me!
Take care
Shorty x
Thanks all,I have had a coil fitted for last 4 years and it has been fantastic,no periods and no symptoms…have been advised to have it removed now since im so hormone positive,did go to docs this week but they couldnt get hold of the threads…got go back in a couple of weeks for another go,might jump up and down a bit before I go in !
So my poor body not going to know what has hit it with having tamoxifen and no coil …am just hoping have scared off the periods enough that they will stay away !
I had a 1 cm hormone responsive tumor with DCIS in 2004. I was given Tamoxifen as chemo not advised. I researched all trials on the advantages of ovarian shut down in combination with Tamoxifen and it was clear to me that this combined therapy was as good as chemo in my case. I went to my oncologist and asked to be put on zoladex as well. He thought it wouldn’t be necessary but I insisted. Fortunately,and in spite of all the horror stories about Zoladex, I had no menopausal symptoms except for the weight gain. I am confident it was the best treatment for me.
My onc has tried to persuade me not to have zoladex because of osteoporosis and “sexual difficulties” and heart disease risk, but my consultant says if she were me she would have it (I am 37, have had chemo and am on Tamoxifen.)
I am trying to decide.
The weight gain REALLY bothers me as a factor.
Can anyone who’s had/decided not to have Zoladex advise?
I am 35 and have been on zoladex and tamoxifen for 15 months now. During this time I have only put on about 5lb. I also only suffer with a few minor flushes each day.
Its more the hassle of going to the hosp every 4 wks to get it done!
Everyone is different, and I guess Im one of the “lucky” ones.
I too am on Zolodex & Tamoxifen and have put on 5lbs and cannot for the want of me shift it despite eating loads more fruit and exercising so I’m guessing I’m stuck with it.
Lolly, my hospital changed my Zoladex from a 4 week to a 12 week one last time so it now only works out 4 times a year which is better. Unfortunatly they are now insisting on my doctors doing it and my doctor is insistant that the nurse does it which she has and it was so bloomin painful & drawn out, got a nasty bruise there now and not looking forward to the next at all, I’ll be honest I was in tears afterwards. How do you find yours
Been told I have to start tamoxifen and zoladex asap.I am pre menopausal ,age 39 and a bit worried about the possible side effects of this.Is the injection a bit sore…they will only give me the monthly one to start off with.I am BRACA 2 so will be getting my ovaries out too in the future.Getting a bit sick of hospitals and docs …getting rads in about 4 weeks too…bless.
Can anyone advise me the best way to take the tamoxifen…20mg at night or halfing the tablet between morning and night.?
Big hugs to all
P XXX
Should just sting quickly when it goes in, just had someone do it at my doctors who was fussing about with it not at all like how they do it up the hospital. Mine were 4 weekly to start with so that they could check that my periods were stopping
So much for my periods being scared away , had none for 4 yrs due to coil but now had it out have had 2 in the past 3 weeks and sooooooo very heavy.
Coming up for 12 weeks on tamoxifen, am on the CP Pharmaceutical brand, I take it last thing at night and havn’t had any side effects to report and not put on weight, so fingers crossed things going to stay that way ! Think I’m happy enough that not on zoladex too my onc of the view that long term side effects and quality of life etc on it just doesnt make it beneficial, just got to trust that the tamoxifen will be enough for me. Still can’t get my head around why these oncs have such differing viewpoints tho…Hey ho, good luck to all , whatever course of treatment you are on.