|
Re: Ovaries are being retired...chemically. Need advice
I just saw my oncologist today (ugh). I have had my ovaries suppressed with Zometa for about 8 months now. I was in chemopause for 6 months or so and we watched my estrogen levels to make sure I never got my period. Outside of hot flashes, vaginal dryness and looser joints (easier to injure), I have felt a hell of a lot better than when I was on Tamoxifen. I felt almost as bad as I did on chemo when I was on Tamoxifen.
If you are at ALL ER positive, they will suggest some type of hormone therapy along w. your ovarian suppression. Studies show that the combination is more successful in reducing recurrence. I was hoping that my doc would say that having ovarian suppression was good enough as I also tried Exemestane (and ovarian suppression) and after 5 months felt like complete hell. Nope. She was very, very insistent that I do the ovarian suppression and now try yet another AI. I've been on a break from hormone therapy for about 3 months, just doing the ovarian suppression, and it's been so nice.
So, to answer your question, ovarian suppression's not bad for me.
Good luck. I hope it's easy for you.
Kathryn
__________________
Kathryn Ellman
8/2013 Diagnosed age 42 with boys aged 2.5 and 6, Stage 11b, 1 cm her2+++, 30% ER positive, 5% PR positive, Rt Breast. Also DCIS in second spot of rt breast, high grade.
9/2013 Bilateral mastectomy, 3 nodes positive
10/13 Started AC/TH, Perjeta and Herceptin
1/14 Finished Chemo
3/14 Radiation, 5 weeks
4/14 Started Tamoxifen
6/14 Discontinued Tamoxifen due to extreme joint pain, exhaustion and depression
6/14 Started Exemestane and Zolodex shots to suppress ovaries
11/14 Finished Herceptin
11/14 Discontinued Exemestane due to similar side effects as Tamoxifen.
1/15 Reconstruction
3/15 CT Scan (routine) shows possible liver mets.
3/15 PET/CT scan shows no mets - huge sigh of relief
4/15 Began Letrozole. Knee and hip joint discomfort but minimal. Otherwise, knocking on wood - so far, so good!
|