HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - "Congratulations, you are post menopausal"

Gerri · 05-12-2008, 06:05 PM

Finally, the words I have been waiting to hear. I found out today that I am at long last postmenopausal and will now switch from Tamoxifen to Femara. My onc laughed when she congratulated me (she knew I was waiting for this) and commented that I probably never thought I would be happy to be in menopause. The funny little things we are now grateful for...

I have been on Tamoxifen for exactly two years now and never experienced HOT flashes. I would get warm, but never over heated, so I was starting to worry that I was a poor metabolizer of Tamoxifen. I have been getting 'warm' more often so I thought maybe this was happening. My onc tested my levels at my appointment in April, but only two of the three tests said I was postmenopausal. My FSH level was still 15.3 - in the normal range. My onc spoke to the endocrinologist and she suggested I have one more test - the Anti Mullerian Hormone. The results were conclusive. So, I will pick up my new prescription and start right away.

I just hope this doesn't turn out to be "Be careful what you wish for". So far everything has been very tolerable and I would really like things to continue that way.

05-12-2008, 06:05 PM	#1
Gerri Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 900	"Congratulations, you are postmenopausal" Finally, the words I have been waiting to hear. I found out today that I am at long last postmenopausal and will now switch from Tamoxifen to Femara. My onc laughed when she congratulated me (she knew I was waiting for this) and commented that I probably never thought I would be happy to be in menopause. The funny little things we are now grateful for... I have been on Tamoxifen for exactly two years now and never experienced HOT flashes. I would get warm, but never over heated, so I was starting to worry that I was a poor metabolizer of Tamoxifen. I have been getting 'warm' more often so I thought maybe this was happening. My onc tested my levels at my appointment in April, but only two of the three tests said I was postmenopausal. My FSH level was still 15.3 - in the normal range. My onc spoke to the endocrinologist and she suggested I have one more test - the Anti Mullerian Hormone. The results were conclusive. So, I will pick up my new prescription and start right away. I just hope this doesn't turn out to be "Be careful what you wish for". So far everything has been very tolerable and I would really like things to continue that way. __________________ Gerri Dx: 11/23/05, Lumpectomy 12/12/05 Tumor 2.2 cm, Stage II, Grade 3, Sentinel Node biopsy negative ER+ (30%) /PR+ (50%), HER2+++ AC X 4 dose dense, Taxol X 4 dose dense Herceptin started with 2nd Taxol, given weekly until chemo done then given every 3 weeks for one year ending on March 16, 2007 Radiation 30 treatments Tamoxifen - 2 yrs (pre-menopausal) May 2008 - Feb 2012 Femara Aug 2008 - Feb 2012 Zometa every 6 months March 2012 - Stop Femara, now Evista for bone strengthening ********** Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. - Robert Brault Last edited by Gerri; 05-12-2008 at 06:59 PM..