Ovaries are being retired...chemically. Need advice

[Heathcliff4]

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

[sassy]

Heathcliff,

FYI, I tried all three of the AI's over the course of 8 years to see which was most tolerable. For me it turned out to be Arimidex.

Exemestane was the worst-- my hips were so stiff and painful I had difficulty walking.

Femara causeed joint stiffness mostly in my feet, ankles and legs overall, that did not seem to diminish with exercise.

Arimidex caused stiffness in my hands primarily in the mornings, and some overall body stiffness, however movement and exercise helped reduce the effect.

Hope this info might help!

PS- would that suppression be from Zoladex rather than Zometa?