HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - I was ER-, now I'm ER+!

Becky · 01-21-2012, 07:02 AM

Kristin

You are very young to get your ovaries removed. I did get mine removed but I was 46 at that time. Lupron or Zoladex shots along with an aromatase inhibitor (there are 3 - Arimidex, Femara and Aromasin) should do the job - chemical menopause versus surgical menopause.

Another option is Faslodex (since you are stage 4 - it is only stage 4 approved). This monthly injection degrades the estrogen receptor. (I think the first month, you get 2 shots 2 weeks apart to get the concentration up and then its just monthly thereafter). There was a stage 4 woman at my cancer center who was getting Faslodex shots, was also on Arimidex and getting Herceptin. Anyway - don't forget to discuss Faslodex with your onc and see what he has to say. It would be interesting to get his take on this drug (which Dr. Slamon says is the way to go in Her2+ women).

Keep us posted.

01-21-2012, 07:02 AM	#9
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Re: I was ER-, now I'm ER+! Kristin You are very young to get your ovaries removed. I did get mine removed but I was 46 at that time. Lupron or Zoladex shots along with an aromatase inhibitor (there are 3 - Arimidex, Femara and Aromasin) should do the job - chemical menopause versus surgical menopause. Another option is Faslodex (since you are stage 4 - it is only stage 4 approved). This monthly injection degrades the estrogen receptor. (I think the first month, you get 2 shots 2 weeks apart to get the concentration up and then its just monthly thereafter). There was a stage 4 woman at my cancer center who was getting Faslodex shots, was also on Arimidex and getting Herceptin. Anyway - don't forget to discuss Faslodex with your onc and see what he has to say. It would be interesting to get his take on this drug (which Dr. Slamon says is the way to go in Her2+ women). Keep us posted. __________________ 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"