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agness · 08-14-2015, 03:24 PM

A little discussed fact is that for up to 20% of women of European descent, and 5% of those of Asian descent, tamoxifen is not properly metabolized in the liver. It is stated that for these patients taking tamoxifen is worse than doing nothing, likely due to unmanaged estrogen levels persisting in spite of supposed treatment. Docs know this, at least the decision-making bodies, and yet no testing is recommended -- presumably todave insurance companies money. Disgraceful if you ask me.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NB...?report=reader

A gal in my online chemo group developed a massive amount of fibroids and ovarian cysts in a short amount of time while on tamox. She thought fine, I'll have a hyst. I have a lot of experience prior researching fibroids and I suggested that (since her surgery was delayed and she was in a lot of pain) that she ask her doc to switch her to Lupron of Zoladex which are GnRH inhibitors. These drugs both shrink fibroids as well as reduce estrogen in the body, also working for breast cancer patients.

Post-menopausal women should already be on aromatase inhibitors (unless perhaps you are weakly ER+ and doing natural methods to reduce estrogens). More recent studies have shown that ovarian suppression with lupron or zoladex plus an aromatase inhibitor seems to be more effective. None of these drugs are a walk in the park and estrogen depketion can increase cognitive impairment.

I hope this is helpful.

Ann

08-14-2015, 03:24 PM	#5
agness Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 285	Re: Tamoxifen warning A little discussed fact is that for up to 20% of women of European descent, and 5% of those of Asian descent, tamoxifen is not properly metabolized in the liver. It is stated that for these patients taking tamoxifen is worse than doing nothing, likely due to unmanaged estrogen levels persisting in spite of supposed treatment. Docs know this, at least the decision-making bodies, and yet no testing is recommended -- presumably todave insurance companies money. Disgraceful if you ask me. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NB...?report=reader A gal in my online chemo group developed a massive amount of fibroids and ovarian cysts in a short amount of time while on tamox. She thought fine, I'll have a hyst. I have a lot of experience prior researching fibroids and I suggested that (since her surgery was delayed and she was in a lot of pain) that she ask her doc to switch her to Lupron of Zoladex which are GnRH inhibitors. These drugs both shrink fibroids as well as reduce estrogen in the body, also working for breast cancer patients. Post-menopausal women should already be on aromatase inhibitors (unless perhaps you are weakly ER+ and doing natural methods to reduce estrogens). More recent studies have shown that ovarian suppression with lupron or zoladex plus an aromatase inhibitor seems to be more effective. None of these drugs are a walk in the park and estrogen depketion can increase cognitive impairment. I hope this is helpful. Ann __________________ Dx 2/14 3b HER2+/HR- left breast, left axilla, internal mammary node (behind breast bone). Neoadjuvant TCHP 3/14-7/2. PCR 8/14 LX and SND. 10/21-12/9 Proton therapy to chest wall. Dx 7/20/15 cerebellar met 3.5x5cm HER2+/HR-/GATA3+ 7/23/15 Craniotomy. 7/29/15 bone scan clear. 8/3/15 PET clean scan. LINAC SRS (5 fractions) Sept 2015. 9/17/15 CSF NED, 9/24/15 CSF NED, 11/2/15 CSF NED. 10/27/15 atypical uptake in right cerebellum - inflammation? 12/1/15 Leptomeningeal dx. Starting IT Herceptin. 1/16 - 16 fractions of tomotherapy to cerebellum, break of IT Herceptin during rads, resume at 100 mg weekly 3/2016 - stable scan 5/2016 stable scan 7/2016 pseudoprogression? 9/2016 more LM, start new chemo protocol and IV therapy treatment with HBOT 11/2016 Cyberknife to temporal lobe, HBOT just prior 12/2016 - lesions starting to show shrinkage 8/2017 - Stable since Dec 2016. Temporal lobe lesion gone. Using TCM, naturopathic oncology, physical therapy, chiro, massage, medical qigong, and energetic healing modalities in tandem. Stops at nothing. Mother of 2 boys - ages 7 and 10 (8/2017) and a lovely partner with lots to live for.