Avista same as Tamoxifen?

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su-texas@webtv.net - 17 Apr 2006 15:16 GMT

On a brief glimpse at CBS news this morning, I heard that the results of
a test were back, comparing Tamoxifen to Avista (osteoporosis drug?), &
that their effects on breast cancer, were the same.

They said there was more info on this, at http://cbsnews.com (?).

???

Today, I've med appts to keep, am weak from radiation treatments, &
can't check out this new info.

Susan Wms, Su_Texas my opinions

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Tim Jackson - 17 Apr 2006 19:42 GMT

> On a brief glimpse at CBS news this morning, I heard that the results of
> a test were back, comparing Tamoxifen to Avista (osteoporosis drug?), &
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Susan Wms, Su_Texas my opinions

It's here http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/17/health/main1503764.shtml

The results of the STAR trial comparing Tamoxifen with Raloxifene (aka
Evista, which is a newer drug of the same class) were just announced by
the NCI. The important points are that Raloxifene appears less likely to
cause endometrial cancer or thromboses, and is equally effective in
reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.

The article suggests that Raloxifene may eventually supplant Tamoxifen,
but it is not suggesting that there is any great benefit for existing
Tamoxifen users to switch.

It is hoped that the lesser side effects may encourage more eligible
breast cancer patients to accept hormone therapy.

Tim Jackson

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su-texas@webtv.net - 17 Apr 2006 23:56 GMT

Thanks, Tim. :)

On the CBS news just now, they said that Evista was Not for women who'd
already been diagnosed with cancer. ?! I wonder why.

-------------------

For women who can't take Tamoxifen, Arimidex, Femara & such, there seem
to be no options now, & no options being worked on, nothing.

This has been most discouraging, esp. after all the health insurance
premiums I've struggled to pay over the years, .... because of the
excellent medical care & cures that were supposed to be there, but
aren't, .... not for injuries, strokes from injuries, cancer from
injuries, heart damage/failure from injuries & cancer drugs.

In many ways, the Medical Industry in the US, has proved a major
betrayal & rip-off. A fraud.

This does hurt.

It's very frustrating & frightening, that people with cancer have to
find & then try to understand their options, without doctors' help. The
docs are prevented by law, from helping us.

Susan Wms, Su_Texas my opinions

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alex - 18 Apr 2006 00:35 GMT

Su,
I think they want to do a clinical study. Talk to your oncologist. Yes, it
is hard with many mixed messages. Alex

> Thanks, Tim. :)
>
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> Susan Wms, Su_Texas my opinions

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su-texas@webtv.net - 20 Apr 2006 23:43 GMT

From: alex@noemail.com (alex)

Su,

I think they want to do a clinical study. Talk to your oncologist. Yes,
it is hard with many mixed messages. Alex

===========================

Hi alex,

It's impossible to sort through all this info, & try to determine what
treatments could work & couldn't, without the doctors' help. And the
docs won't help. Another govt-created Catch-22 (no-win) situation.

I've finished the 13 radiation treatments. Yesterday was the last
treatment. I wasn't expecting to be this sick & weak, or in this much
pain.

It super-burned the esophagus (?), so that it hurts like heck when I try
to drink or eat. And super-inflamed my injuries, esp. neck shoulders,
back, arms, legs, hips. [Yesterday, I asked for a second TENS unit at
the Cancer Center, & was refused. ?!]

Tuesday (?) at the Cancer Center, I got a special liquid mix, to use
four times a day, that helps a little. Before that, they gave me an aloe
drink, but the radiation burned worse & worse with each treatment.

They said it will take about two weeks, for the internal burns to heal.

Yesterday, I was so grateful to get the plastic circles off (those that
protected the marks), .... because with the hot & sweaty weather, they
started to itch a lot.

I'm trying to rest up now, to get some strength back, to heal faster.
Unfortunately, I seem to be getting prank phone calls, so I'm thinking
of turning off the phone for a few days.

The nausea from radiation, ain't fun.

On the TV show 24, one of the agents got radiation poisoning, the fatal
kind. For some odd reason, this makes me feel not so alone in this. And
yes, I know mine's not fatal, but right now, it feels like it is.

Susan Wms, Su_Texas my opinions

PS Next is the Faslodex shots in the lower back, upper hip areas.

Then, if that doesn't make me ill, I'll be back to seeing the heart
doctor, for the major CHF.

He's already upped the blood pressure & heart rate meds, trying to keep
the bp extra low, & the heart rate extra slow.

-----------------------

This has been & is a nightmare.

At least some docs are working with me now, .... but only with the
standard stuff. Nothing alternative or complementary.

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