When they talk about side effects I think I can handle the menopause side effects brought on by these medications. I have been through menopause and know how to adapt to the mood swings, hot flashes, loss of sexual desire, and others. It is the elevated BONE LOSS, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, BLOOD CLOT RISK, HEART DISEASE risk that I am concerned about. It is the silent risks that concern me more than night sweats. The risks that can’t just be undone by quitting the medications. At 70 I am weighing heavily the risk=benefit for me personally. The only answer I get is, “We will give you stuff for bone loss & high blood pressure”. I am not interested in getting on the pharmaceutical hamster wheel to take this medication and that medication to deal with the side effect from that medication and the side effect from this side effect medication. Is the quality of my life right now worth the gamble of these hormone blockers? That is the question that I sit with personally. Anyone else relate out there to my situation?
I definitely can relate. I am 68 years old and was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer last year. All the treatments, surgery, radiation, staph infections stressed out my body and I think my body is in over-drive with Anastrozole. My oncologist is giving me a 3 week break but seems like the menopause symptoms, joint pains, insomnia persist. I pray this settles down so I can take the AI pills for 5 years. I am terrified of a recurrence and pray I never hear the words "you have cancer" again. Just like you, I don't want extra meds to help with side effects.
I had Arimidex for 16 months, became too debilitating, my Surgeon said stop, then said he’d write to my oncologist to plant the seed to put me on Tamoxifen, 15 months in I had a review and had a whinge re aches/pains, no symptoms but scan showed a Pulmonary Embolism,off Tamoxifen on to anticoagulant Xarelto, horrendous, caused severe spinning/wanting to blackout, scan showed a Meningioma, off to Neurosurgeon. It’s calcified. Not one medical person told me Xarelto could cause spinning out, thank god I hadn’t been driving. Oncologist was wanting me to stay on Xarelto and go back on Tamoxifen, she then suggested Exemestane. I haven’t taken it, can cause carpel tunnel and she goes oh we can treat that, no ops are not always successful. I’ve stopped the drugs. The drugs also exasperated back pain which I didn’t have before (discs/arthritis) unbearable. Just getting some relief, did not care about ménopause symptoms but the other like bone loss , clots lethal etc. A friend I’d made took Letrozole, came on hard and fast blocked duodenum, they said they got it all, Dr got a shock 25 spots on liver, pancreatic cancer and passed, another 2 ops for carpel tunnel, she’s stopped these drugs as well.Just read on another podcast a hospice nurse of 17 yrs said these Drs get money for getting you to have all these treatments, she said she’s seen it all and they do it right up till they die, follow the money!
Yes, I can absolutely relate.i had to stop hormone replacement when I was diagnosed with breast cancer ( I unfortunately had a previously undiagnosed genetic vulnerability) . The withdrawal from hormones was brutal with not even moral support from docs/ nurses. I could not bring myself to take the aromatase inhibitors because I assumed any side effects would be met with the same indifference. Look me you im concerned about the damage to bones,brain and heart. The medications for osteoporosis have added to my problems causing bone and joint pain. The docs tend to be more responsive to complaintz that will kill you. Like you I don't want to take medications to 🎛️ l the side effects of another medicine.
My Anastrozole is sucking the life out of me. I’ve been on this since March but my oncologist has given me breaks. The joint pain and insomnia is unbearable.
I’m on letrozole and you’ve described the AI experience very well! I wasn’t given the option to take breaks when I went on it but I’m going to see if I can. A couple weeks off even just twice a year would be something to look forward to at least. I hope you are okay 💕
At 74 I have enough pain. I will never take these again ! I have had breast cancer x2 since 2016. I know it is different for younger women. The joint pain is horrible plus my hair was falling out to add insult.😢
Thank you so much for explaining the emotions of doctors around taking the risks of prescribing medication. I get in so many conversations with patients about why certain medications have to be done by a consultant, or why a doctor won't take the risk, and you put it perfectly.
Absolutely excellent explanation of the risks vs benefits. As a Pharmacist I really appreciate the information from the predict tool for individual patients.
My oncologist told me that Predict is old science and that the ONCO score is what should be considered. I showed her my Predict results to discuss and she shot it down immediately as “old science”.
@@L-ash777I think she is just telling us her Doctor’s opinion. That’s all. I’m grateful to hear both sides. People that are watching this are hurting and searching for answers one way or another.
@@LillyAnnHoustonversion 3 is now out with predict breast, it’s updated and now includes radiation etc in the tool. Some Drs don’t want you to know too much, it goes against their narrative. I was reading yesterday Drs get a commission every time they prescribe a drug breast.v3.predict.cam/tool
Please address ESR1 mutations. NIH has several clinical studies regarding ESR1 secondary resistant cancers...treatments are limited with poor outcomes and up to 50% associated after taking these meds. How can one justify taking these meds?
I am 83 yr old very active woman I have been treated with stage one estrogen positive breast cancer I have been advised to take Anastrozle My treatment consisted of 5 days of increased dose of radiation This is my 2nd time with breast cancer last time was 11 yrs ago Afraid to take the drug would like the rest of my life to be active What are your thoughts 13:03
When they talk about side effects I think I can handle the menopause side effects brought on by these medications. I have been through menopause and know how to adapt to the mood swings, hot flashes, loss of sexual desire, and others. It is the elevated BONE LOSS, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, BLOOD CLOT RISK, HEART DISEASE risk that I am concerned about. It is the silent risks that concern me more than night sweats. The risks that can’t just be undone by quitting the medications. At 70 I am weighing heavily the risk=benefit for me personally. The only answer I get is, “We will give you stuff for bone loss & high blood pressure”. I am not interested in getting on the pharmaceutical hamster wheel to take this medication and that medication to deal with the side effect from that medication and the side effect from this side effect medication. Is the quality of my life right now worth the gamble of these hormone blockers? That is the question that I sit with personally. Anyone else relate out there to my situation?
Yes, I can relate to what you are saying. I feel the same.
I definitely can relate. I am 68 years old and was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer last year. All the treatments, surgery, radiation, staph infections stressed out my body and I think my body is in over-drive with Anastrozole. My oncologist is giving me a 3 week break but seems like the menopause symptoms, joint pains, insomnia persist. I pray this settles down so I can take the AI pills for 5 years. I am terrified of a recurrence and pray I never hear the words "you have cancer" again. Just like you, I don't want extra meds to help with side effects.
I had Arimidex for 16 months, became too debilitating, my Surgeon said stop, then said he’d write to my oncologist to plant the seed to put me on Tamoxifen, 15 months in I had a review and had a whinge re aches/pains, no symptoms but scan showed a Pulmonary Embolism,off Tamoxifen on to anticoagulant Xarelto, horrendous, caused severe spinning/wanting to blackout, scan showed a Meningioma, off to Neurosurgeon. It’s calcified. Not one medical person told me Xarelto could cause spinning out, thank god I hadn’t been driving. Oncologist was wanting me to stay on Xarelto and go back on Tamoxifen, she then suggested Exemestane. I haven’t taken it, can cause carpel tunnel and she goes oh we can treat that, no ops are not always successful. I’ve stopped the drugs. The drugs also exasperated back pain which I didn’t have before (discs/arthritis) unbearable. Just getting some relief, did not care about ménopause symptoms but the other like bone loss , clots lethal etc. A friend I’d made took Letrozole, came on hard and fast blocked duodenum, they said they got it all, Dr got a shock 25 spots on liver, pancreatic cancer and passed, another 2 ops for carpel tunnel, she’s stopped these drugs as well.Just read on another podcast a hospice nurse of 17 yrs said these Drs get money for getting you to have all these treatments, she said she’s seen it all and they do it right up till they die, follow the money!
Yes, I can absolutely relate.i had to stop hormone replacement when I was diagnosed with breast cancer ( I unfortunately had a previously undiagnosed genetic vulnerability) . The withdrawal from hormones was brutal with not even moral support from docs/ nurses. I could not bring myself to take the aromatase inhibitors because I assumed any side effects would be met with the same indifference. Look me you im concerned about the damage to bones,brain and heart. The medications for osteoporosis have added to my problems causing bone and joint pain. The docs tend to be more responsive to complaintz that will kill you. Like you I don't want to take medications to 🎛️ l the side effects of another medicine.
@@lindajones4849These are such tough decisions. Wish I had a crystal ball to see how I’d manage without AI pills.
My Anastrozole is sucking the life out of me. I’ve been on this since March but my oncologist has given me breaks. The joint pain and insomnia is unbearable.
I’m on letrozole and you’ve described the AI experience very well! I wasn’t given the option to take breaks when I went on it but I’m going to see if I can. A couple weeks off even just twice a year would be something to look forward to at least. I hope you are okay 💕
Your doctor is profiting from you pain I hope you know
At 74 I have enough pain. I will never take these again ! I have had breast cancer x2 since 2016. I know it is different for younger women. The joint pain is horrible plus my hair was falling out to add insult.😢
Thank you so much for explaining the emotions of doctors around taking the risks of prescribing medication. I get in so many conversations with patients about why certain medications have to be done by a consultant, or why a doctor won't take the risk, and you put it perfectly.
I'm a Pharmacist btw.
This is probably the best explanation from a medical professional about joint pain prior to cancer diagnosis and also removing myself from HRT.
Absolutely excellent explanation of the risks vs benefits. As a Pharmacist I really appreciate the information from the predict tool for individual patients.
Definitely relate, I’m 57, my main concern is the long term tablets and possible side affects
Thank you so much for this information. It has helped me to make an informed decision about treatment post lumpectomy.❤
My oncologist told me that Predict is old science and that the ONCO score is what should be considered. I showed her my Predict results to discuss and she shot it down immediately as “old science”.
It’s not old science and there’s a version 3 coming out, I contacted them and have been in contact with a Professor keeping me updated
@@L-ash777I think she is just telling us her Doctor’s opinion. That’s all. I’m grateful to hear both sides. People that are watching this are hurting and searching for answers one way or another.
@@LillyAnnHoustonversion 3 is now out with predict breast, it’s updated and now includes radiation etc in the tool. Some Drs don’t want you to know too much, it goes against their narrative. I was reading yesterday Drs get a commission every time they prescribe a drug
breast.v3.predict.cam/tool
Is testosterone comparable to tamoxifen in prevention of recurrence of breast cancer ?
Please address ESR1 mutations. NIH has several clinical studies regarding ESR1 secondary resistant cancers...treatments are limited with poor outcomes and up to 50% associated after taking these meds. How can one justify taking these meds?
Can I breast cancer come back after both breasts been removed?
I am 83 yr old very active woman
I have been treated with stage one estrogen positive breast cancer
I have been advised to take Anastrozle
My treatment consisted of 5 days of increased dose of radiation
This is my 2nd time with breast cancer last time was 11 yrs ago
Afraid to take the drug would like the rest of my life to be active
What are your thoughts 13:03
I agree with you. Quality over quantity
I’m 68. In the same position as you. I’m debating not taking them. I have enough issues since the previous time 19 years ago