Guest guest Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 I am on arimidex and do not have any side effects that I know of, but I also supplement with many nutritional substances to help my immune system do it's job as well as build cell to cell communication that helps my body maintain a healthy balance. I was married to the same wonderful man for 30 years before multiple myeloma took his life last June. I have no desire for a relationship so I don't know if the arimidex would make one more difficult or not. I have a full time teaching job and three children to raise, so I'm not interested in the least in trying to fit a man into my life....You have to make your own choices based on as much knowledge as you can gather regarding your situation. As long as you can live with you decisions they are yours alone to make...georgia Rozan wrote: Hi, I am coming up on 2 years post chemo and rad. I had lobular in my right breast, had 3 lumpectomies, in total 7 cm was removed of cancer in breast tissue but with no node involvement. Did 8 cycles of chemo plus radiation. I had been on Tamoxifen for about a 1.5 years and recently switched to Arimidex. I hated the side effects from Tamoxifen,weight gain, the hot flashes, depression and hair growingon my face. I seem to have tolerated Arimidex better but I just don't like the way I feel on it. I don't want to continue taking anything. I haven't renewed my Rx yet. I see my onc next month but I don'teven want to go anymore. My last mammos in March were clear. I feel so worn out from this whole ordeal and want to know does anyone elsefeel this way - has anyone refused to take the tamoxifen or arimidex? I just don't like the side effects and I feel unwomanly, I know that sounds a little strange but I think its my body robbed of theestrogen is making me feel this way, I feel numb and dead inside. I have no interest in trying to move on with a social life, I am divoced one year, have no interest in meeting men or dating. I am taking Wellbutrin for depression which allows me to cope and function at my job. I am curious to know if anyone else feels this way or has similar feelings about the followup medication?Thanks, __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Are you talking with a psychologist? Just taking an antidepressant does not always help with the underlying reason for the depression. Whether or not you continue taking the anti cancer medications, you may want to talk with a counselor who is experienced with cancer survivors. > Rozan wrote:Hi, I am coming up on 2 years post chemo and rad. I had lobular in > my > right breast, had 3 lumpectomies, in total 7 cm was removed of > cancer > in breast tissue but with no node involvement. Did 8 cycles of chemo > plus radiation. I had been on Tamoxifen for about a 1.5 years and > recently switched to Arimidex. I hated the side effects from > Tamoxifen,weight gain, the hot flashes, depression and hair growing > on > my face. I seem to have tolerated Arimidex better but I just don't > like the way I feel on it. I don't want to continue taking > anything. > I haven't renewed my Rx yet. I see my onc next month but I don't > even > want to go anymore. My last mammos in March were clear. I feel so > worn out from this whole ordeal and want to know does anyone else > feel > this way - has anyone refused to take the tamoxifen or arimidex? I > just don't like the side effects and I feel unwomanly, I know that > sounds a little strange but I think its my body robbed of the > estrogen > is making me feel this way, I feel numb and dead inside. I have no > interest in trying to move on with a social life, I am divoced one > year, have no interest in meeting men or dating. I am taking > Wellbutrin for depression which allows me to cope and function at my > job. > > I am curious to know if anyone else feels this way or has similar > feelings about the followup medication? > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 , I'm not on hormone therapy yet (I am having my last chemo tomorrow), so I don't have any specific advice for you, unfortunately. I will definitely keep you in my prayers, though. I think if it were me, I would stay on the medication until you see your onc. It has been my experience that doctors get a little defensive and put off if you take yourself off medications without talking it over with them. It's only one more month. . . I'd try to stick with it until then. Maybe there's something else they can do. Be strong when you talk to your doc. If you don't think you can, just print out the message you posted so you can remember how you've been feeling. I'll be thinking about you. - Porter- www.lisawillsurvive.com -----Original Message-----From: breastcancer2 [mailto:breastcancer2 ]On Behalf Of RozanSent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 2:37 PMTo: breastcancer2 Subject: Tamoxifen & ArimidexHi, I am coming up on 2 years post chemo and rad. I had lobular in my right breast, had 3 lumpectomies, in total 7 cm was removed of cancer in breast tissue but with no node involvement. Did 8 cycles of chemo plus radiation. I had been on Tamoxifen for about a 1.5 years and recently switched to Arimidex. I hated the side effects from Tamoxifen,weight gain, the hot flashes, depression and hair growingon my face. I seem to have tolerated Arimidex better but I just don't like the way I feel on it. I don't want to continue taking anything. I haven't renewed my Rx yet. I see my onc next month but I don'teven want to go anymore. My last mammos in March were clear. I feel so worn out from this whole ordeal and want to know does anyone elsefeel this way - has anyone refused to take the tamoxifen or arimidex? I just don't like the side effects and I feel unwomanly, I know that sounds a little strange but I think its my body robbed of theestrogen is making me feel this way, I feel numb and dead inside. I have no interest in trying to move on with a social life, I am divoced one year, have no interest in meeting men or dating. I am taking Wellbutrin for depression which allows me to cope and function at my job. I am curious to know if anyone else feels this way or has similar feelings about the followup medication?Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2005 Report Share Posted June 16, 2005 I just started Aremidex, and I have experienced the hair on my face, never had that before. I don't feel so feminine because of the no boobs syndrome, and some weight gain through my chemo. I am starting to get a better attitude about everything. I don't think I would quit my pill, then I would be doing nothing about things. It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. The dating, I know how you feel about that. I feel so unattractive, my hair is almost back enough to ditch the wig, it will be short, but I just want me back that is what gives me confidence, having me back. So much has changed and that is tough. Good luck to you and hang in there. I think you have to fall in love with yourself first. Ren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2005 Report Share Posted June 16, 2005 Dear , Thank you for your kind reply. Good luck to you and congrats on your last chemo! I remember how happy I was on the day of my last treatment. I hope yo have been feeling well throughout your treatments. I will talk over my feelings with the onc next month and am going to refill the Rx. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers and I will keep you in mine. Porter wrote: , I'm not on hormone therapy yet (I am having my last chemo tomorrow), so I don't have any specific advice for you, unfortunately. I will definitely keep you in my prayers, though. I think if it were me, I would stay on the medication until you see your onc. It has been my experience that doctors get a little defensive and put off if you take yourself off medications without talking it over with them. It's only one more month. . . I'd try to stick with it until then. Maybe there's something else they can do. Be strong when you talk to your doc. If you don't think you can, just print out the message you posted so you can remember how you've been feeling. I'll be thinking about you. - Porter- www.lisawillsurvive.com -----Original Message-----From: breastcancer2 [mailto:breastcancer2 ]On Behalf Of RozanSent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 2:37 PMTo: breastcancer2 Subject: Tamoxifen & ArimidexHi, I am coming up on 2 years post chemo and rad. I had lobular in my right breast, had 3 lumpectomies, in total 7 cm was removed of cancer in breast tissue but with no node involvement. Did 8 cycles of chemo plus radiation. I had been on Tamoxifen for about a 1.5 years and recently switched to Arimidex. I hated the side effects from Tamoxifen,weight gain, the hot flashes, depression and hair growingon my face. I seem to have tolerated Arimidex better but I just don't like the way I feel on it. I don't want to continue taking anything. I haven't renewed my Rx yet. I see my onc next month but I don'teven want to go anymore. My last mammos in March were clear. I feel so worn out from this whole ordeal and want to know does anyone elsefeel this way - has anyone refused to take the tamoxifen or arimidex? I just don't like the side effects and I feel unwomanly, I know that sounds a little strange but I think its my body robbed of theestrogen is making me feel this way, I feel numb and dead inside. I have no interest in trying to move on with a social life, I am divoced one year, have no interest in meeting men or dating. I am taking Wellbutrin for depression which allows me to cope and function at my job. I am curious to know if anyone else feels this way or has similar feelings about the followup medication?Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2005 Report Share Posted June 16, 2005 Thank you for your good advice. I haven't seen a therapist in a year or so since I moved to a new state. I had to find all new doctors and the thought of rehashing everything with a new therapist - - I just wasn't up for it. My internist continues my antidepressant med since I had been on it for years. I guess its time to take the plunge and find a new therapist, one that deals mostly with cancer is a good idea. I will ask my onc if they have a referral. Thank you. Good luck to you and God Bless, dkphillips@... wrote: Are you talking with a psychologist? Just taking an antidepressant does not always help with the underlying reason for the depression. Whether or not you continue taking the anti cancer medications, you may want to talk with a counselor who is experienced with cancer survivors.> Rozan wrote:Hi, I am coming up on 2 years post chemo and rad. I had lobular in > my > right breast, had 3 lumpectomies, in total 7 cm was removed of > cancer > in breast tissue but with no node involvement. Did 8 cycles of chemo > plus radiation. I had been on Tamoxifen for about a 1.5 years and > recently switched to Arimidex. I hated the side effects from > Tamoxifen,weight gain, the hot flashes, depression and hair growing> on > my face. I seem to have tolerated Arimidex better but I just don't > like the way I feel on it. I don't want to continue taking > anything. > I haven't renewed my Rx yet. I see my onc next month but I don't> even > want to go anymore. My last mammos in March were clear. I feel so > worn out from this whole ordeal and want to know does anyone else> feel > this way - has anyone refused to take the tamoxifen or arimidex? I > just don't like the side effects and I feel unwomanly, I know that > sounds a little strange but I think its my body robbed of the> estrogen > is making me feel this way, I feel numb and dead inside. I have no > interest in trying to move on with a social life, I am divoced one > year, have no interest in meeting men or dating. I am taking > Wellbutrin for depression which allows me to cope and function at my > job. > > I am curious to know if anyone else feels this way or has similar > feelings about the followup medication?> > Thanks,> > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2005 Report Share Posted June 16, 2005 , Thanks for your kind thoughts and prayers. Prayers make all the difference in the world. Good luck and I'll be thinking of you. - Porter- www.lisawillsurvive.com -----Original Message-----From: breastcancer2 [mailto:breastcancer2 ]On Behalf Of RozanSent: Thursday, June 16, 2005 3:18 PMTo: breastcancer2 Subject: RE: Tamoxifen & Arimidex Dear , Thank you for your kind reply. Good luck to you and congrats on your last chemo! I remember how happy I was on the day of my last treatment. I hope yo have been feeling well throughout your treatments. I will talk over my feelings with the onc next month and am going to refill the Rx. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers and I will keep you in mine. Porter wrote: , I'm not on hormone therapy yet (I am having my last chemo tomorrow), so I don't have any specific advice for you, unfortunately. I will definitely keep you in my prayers, though. I think if it were me, I would stay on the medication until you see your onc. It has been my experience that doctors get a little defensive and put off if you take yourself off medications without talking it over with them. It's only one more month. . . I'd try to stick with it until then. Maybe there's something else they can do. Be strong when you talk to your doc. If you don't think you can, just print out the message you posted so you can remember how you've been feeling. I'll be thinking about you. - Porter- www.lisawillsurvive.com -----Original Message-----From: breastcancer2 [mailto:breastcancer2 ]On Behalf Of RozanSent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 2:37 PMTo: breastcancer2 Subject: Tamoxifen & ArimidexHi, I am coming up on 2 years post chemo and rad. I had lobular in my right breast, had 3 lumpectomies, in total 7 cm was removed of cancer in breast tissue but with no node involvement. Did 8 cycles of chemo plus radiation. I had been on Tamoxifen for about a 1.5 years and recently switched to Arimidex. I hated the side effects from Tamoxifen,weight gain, the hot flashes, depression and hair growingon my face. I seem to have tolerated Arimidex better but I just don't like the way I feel on it. I don't want to continue taking anything. I haven't renewed my Rx yet. I see my onc next month but I don'teven want to go anymore. My last mammos in March were clear. I feel so worn out from this whole ordeal and want to know does anyone elsefeel this way - has anyone refused to take the tamoxifen or arimidex? I just don't like the side effects and I feel unwomanly, I know that sounds a little strange but I think its my body robbed of theestrogen is making me feel this way, I feel numb and dead inside. I have no interest in trying to move on with a social life, I am divoced one year, have no interest in meeting men or dating. I am taking Wellbutrin for depression which allows me to cope and function at my job. I am curious to know if anyone else feels this way or has similar feelings about the followup medication?Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2005 Report Share Posted June 16, 2005 Great idea -- I know a good one in the Baltimore area. Where do you live? - Porter- www.lisawillsurvive.com -----Original Message-----From: breastcancer2 [mailto:breastcancer2 ]On Behalf Of RozanSent: Thursday, June 16, 2005 3:28 PMTo: breastcancer2 Subject: Re: Re: Tamoxifen & Arimidex Thank you for your good advice. I haven't seen a therapist in a year or so since I moved to a new state. I had to find all new doctors and the thought of rehashing everything with a new therapist - - I just wasn't up for it. My internist continues my antidepressant med since I had been on it for years. I guess its time to take the plunge and find a new therapist, one that deals mostly with cancer is a good idea. I will ask my onc if they have a referral. Thank you. Good luck to you and God Bless, dkphillips@... wrote: Are you talking with a psychologist? Just taking an antidepressant does not always help with the underlying reason for the depression. Whether or not you continue taking the anti cancer medications, you may want to talk with a counselor who is experienced with cancer survivors.> Rozan wrote:Hi, I am coming up on 2 years post chemo and rad. I had lobular in > my > right breast, had 3 lumpectomies, in total 7 cm was removed of > cancer > in breast tissue but with no node involvement. Did 8 cycles of chemo > plus radiation. I had been on Tamoxifen for about a 1.5 years and > recently switched to Arimidex. I hated the side effects from > Tamoxifen,weight gain, the hot flashes, depression and hair growing> on > my face. I seem to have tolerated Arimidex better but I just don't > like the way I feel on it. I don't want to continue taking > anything. > I haven't renewed my Rx yet. I see my onc next month but I don't> even > want to go anymore. My last mammos in March were clear. I feel so > worn out from this whole ordeal and want to know does anyone else> feel > this way - has anyone refused to take the tamoxifen or arimidex? I > just don't like the side effects and I feel unwomanly, I know that > sounds a little strange but I think its my body robbed of the> estrogen > is making me feel this way, I feel numb and dead inside. I have no > interest in trying to move on with a social life, I am divoced one > year, have no interest in meeting men or dating. I am taking > Wellbutrin for depression which allows me to cope and function at my > job. > > I am curious to know if anyone else feels this way or has similar > feelings about the followup medication?> > Thanks,> > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2005 Report Share Posted June 18, 2005 > > I have had two friends in the last month have their breast cancer come back in the liver. PLEASE stay on your meds unitl you at least see your doctor- He can give you something for the side effects! Andree www.essentialsoapsinc.com > -- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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