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Becky · 11-15-2006, 05:41 PM

Tricia

I did the same as you last August and I am 47 as well. I am only ER+ (50%) but mine is a population where it is well known that Tamoxifen doesn't work well (having no PR) but research does point that Tamoxifen may not work well if you are Her2+ regardless. I have no regrets although I have some bladder infection issues (so now I have to take a macrobid 100 after I have sex - not a big price to pay). Low estrogen causes the dryness and membrane thinning but I have not had any real problems except for bladder infections. I know my estrogen tested extremely low so at least I know the oophorectomy to use Arimidex was a great choice.

My onc even let me stay on Herceptin 3 months longer than a year so I could be on the Herceptin/Arimidex combo for a full year.

PS - I had a second opinion on the oophorectomy and both opinions independently stated that if you are hormone positive, it is always better to truly be postmenopausal. It very much positively impacts your survival rate. Tamoxifen does not suppress estrogen production. It's role is to cover the estrogen receptor so estrogen cannot bind there to excite the cancer cell to reproduce.

11-15-2006, 05:41 PM	#8
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Tricia I did the same as you last August and I am 47 as well. I am only ER+ (50%) but mine is a population where it is well known that Tamoxifen doesn't work well (having no PR) but research does point that Tamoxifen may not work well if you are Her2+ regardless. I have no regrets although I have some bladder infection issues (so now I have to take a macrobid 100 after I have sex - not a big price to pay). Low estrogen causes the dryness and membrane thinning but I have not had any real problems except for bladder infections. I know my estrogen tested extremely low so at least I know the oophorectomy to use Arimidex was a great choice. My onc even let me stay on Herceptin 3 months longer than a year so I could be on the Herceptin/Arimidex combo for a full year. PS - I had a second opinion on the oophorectomy and both opinions independently stated that if you are hormone positive, it is always better to truly be postmenopausal. It very much positively impacts your survival rate. Tamoxifen does not suppress estrogen production. It's role is to cover the estrogen receptor so estrogen cannot bind there to excite the cancer cell to reproduce. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"