Synthetic Hormones Question

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

- - - 13 Apr 2005 04:21 GMT

Does anyone know the name of the synthetic hormones one can use when
taking the drug Arimidex? Arimidex must be taken for 5 years by those
who are ER+ but it can cause many side effects similar to menopause
problems even if one is post-menopause. I am very grateful to have such
a drug as Arimidex to try to protect my life but if there is something
available which can take the place of the hormones Arimidex turns off,
it sure would be great to have a better life without hot flashes and
emotional mood swings. I thought this was over when I ended menopause
but Arimidex has thrown me back into it.

I was told that an actress who has ER+ bc uses the drug to overcome the
bad side effects of Tamoxifen and Arimidex type drugs. The person who
shared this with me does not remember the name of the drug used. If
anyone knows what it is, I would appreciate knowing so that I can
discuss it with my Oncologist. Thanks so much for any help.

Bea

Reply to this Message

Hoosier - 13 Apr 2005 14:45 GMT

Gosh, I was told that you could not use any type hormone or even soy or
other herbal substance after breast cancer. I would love to have something
too, tired of changing clothes all the time - hot, cold, hot again - and I
don't even know if I was ER+ since specimen too small to test.

> Does anyone know the name of the synthetic hormones one can use when
> taking the drug Arimidex? Arimidex must be taken for 5 years by those
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Bea

Reply to this Message

- - - 13 Apr 2005 15:00 GMT

>Gosh, I was told that you could not use any
> type hormone or even soy or other herbal
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> even know if I was ER+ since specimen too
> small to test.

I did more research on this last night because the actress is Suzanne
Somers. It seems the person who related the tv conversation to me must
have misunderstood a lot of what was said. All I could find was that
Ms. Somers is taking some "Mistletoe extract" called Iscador to boost
her immune system. I gather with the hopes of preventing any recurring
cancer. It does not seem to have anything to do with helping the
hormone problem or Arimidex etc.
(Much to my disappointment). She is not advocating this treatment for
anyone. It's totally her personal decision. The extract is not sold
commercially in the US and has not been tested by FDA and has had no
clinical trials here.

Sorry, guess I just jumped the gun in my hopes to relieve the effects of
Arimidex. I would never be brave enough to try anything not researched,
tested and approved for our use.

Bea

Reply to this Message

A. P. Thorsen - 13 Apr 2005 15:30 GMT

> Gosh, I was told that you could not use any type hormone or even soy or
> other herbal substance after breast cancer. I would love to have something
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>>Does anyone know the name of the synthetic hormones one can use when
>>taking the drug Arimidex?

In my understanding, Hoosier is right. You can't take any estrogen-type
hormone, natural or synthetic. (Soy is controversial, not confirmed as
a problem, but I don't eat it after the reading I've done.)

Do talk to your oncologist -- complain vociferously if necessary --
about the side effects. There are a range of drugs that can be used to
mitigate certain side effects, if those side effects are severe.

Hot flashes specifically: Since my hot flashes were annoying but not
debilitating, I didn't pursue it & therefore don't know much. But women
in my RL BC support group have been given many different approaches,
sometimes trying them in turn until something helps. They usually seem
to try vitamins first (I think it's B6, E and a special version of
Vitamin C, but don't quote me). After that, there are some
anti-depressants, and some drugs usually used for blood pressure
problems, that can be tried.

Ann T.
Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email

Reply to this Message