Hi, I’m taking tamoxifen I think for 2 years then a possible change if my blood tests still show I’m post menapausal. I’ve seen on here that lots of people seem to have zoladex with tamoxifen and am wondering if I should ask my onc about it?
Smiler
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Hi
Zoladex is only for pre menopausal women. Basically it switches off the ovaries, therefore reducing amount of eostrogen made.
Hi Smiler, i had zoladex running up to my hysterectomy and oopherectomy in late 2007, as Lolly said, it was just to switch the ovaries off and shrink them a little prior to surgery, i did start on tamoxifen but found it intolerable, so having the ovaries out was my choice, i just had a fantastic gyni who thought because of my family history of cancer it was best to have the whole lot removed. but believe me, zoladex was horrible for me, not so bad for some others, but i do suffer side effects from every drug it seems!
lots of love
Alisonxxxxx
Hi smiler, I’m 100 % oestrogen +ve and pre menopausal and from what I read on here I thought when I saw onc I would be on tamoxifen and zoladex but seemingly it is case of different oncs/parts of the country different treatments as I am only on tamoxifen.
The reasons given to me for this was my onc didn’t seem to think that there were huge % advantages for the zoladex + tamoxifen combination but a good chance of having some undesirable side effects and the long term worry re bones.
Would still be interested to hear other oncs points of view,let us know how you get on.
Sandra x
Hi Smiler/Sandra
I’m pre menopausal (38 at diagnosis) and I’m just on Tamoxifen with very few side effects thankfully. I also asked my onc about Zoladex especially as my periods came back with a vengence after chemo (in fact I only missed 3)being Er+ and PR+ I was worried about those hormones flying about. He explained to me that the use of Zoladex is one of those treatments which is a contentious issue amongst oncs and they all have their own differing opinions which is why some of us are on it and some of us are not. My onc doesn’t think it’s appropriate for me right now and gave me his reasons which I was happy with. Especially as the side effects sound pretty yuk. He also reassured me and said that the Tamoxifen doesn’t actually stop your body producing oestrogen but blocks their receptors on certain cells and does it’s job that way. Sorry if this doesn’t make sense but I remember I was happy with his explanation at the time!.
Hope this helps
xx
Thanks to you all for your comments. It’s so good to cyber chat about these things to people in similar situations! I’m 44 and when they tested hormones after my treatment it came back as post menapausal, which I actually feel is right as I havent had a period for well over a year now! They said cos of my age and only one hormone test they felt 2 years of tamoxifen and then change would be best? Anyone else had this, post menapause (?) and on tamoxifen first?
Hope you are all doing well.
best wishes
Smiler
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