Susan, I've had a mess on my hands over being peri-meno/menopausal. Long story. But just make sure they check your FSH level often to make sure you stay menopausal. They DIDN'T with me and I had been taking Femara when my FSH was LOW in the peri-meno range for MONTHS. I do see you mentioned your onc plans to keep an eye on your labs...thats good.
As far as a shot such as Lupron or Zoladex he will only do that if your FSH drops to peri-meno range. Again, after my horrible experience...just make SURE they check your FSH levels while on Femara. (Estradiol) occasionally too.  I eventually went and had an ooph and it seems *some* endometrial tissue was left behind which produces enough estrogen to keep me in the peri-meno range. So in MY case....my ooph was all for NOTHING! I had an ooph and I have to have Zoladex implants to take my Femara. You should be fine since your onc is going to check your labs. Believe me..your not the only one to be scared and confused about starting on these drugs. I was upset about it too. Not any of this is easy. Hang in there.
Chelee
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DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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