Re: to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen

[Guest guest]

Hi Deborah,

We do talk about other things in here. We feel its part of our breast cancer experience. I hope that will not scare you away. I will keep you in my prayers.

Hugs

Marainne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Lifehttp://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.htmlalso check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:http://www.cancerclub.com

to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen

Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" sites are not what you would think!)I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 sessions of radiation which finished in August.Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 years of believing I had a blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to go on tamoxifen.She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)Anyone with similar experience? How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey through recovery been?Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues shrinking after radiation.Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.I welcome all thoughts.Deborah

[Guest guest]

Hi Deborah,

We do talk about other things in here. We feel its part of our breast cancer experience. I hope that will not scare you away. I will keep you in my prayers.

Hugs

Marainne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Lifehttp://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.htmlalso check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:http://www.cancerclub.com

to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen

Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" sites are not what you would think!)I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 sessions of radiation which finished in August.Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 years of believing I had a blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to go on tamoxifen.She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)Anyone with similar experience? How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey through recovery been?Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues shrinking after radiation.Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.I welcome all thoughts.Deborah

[Guest guest]

nne,

Thanks for your response. I am not put off if members discuss

anything they want. My previous experience was, as a newly

diagnosed person, trying to get info from a chat site for folks with

BC, being hit with VERY distressing other topics - AND - a (site)

stalker! I would never have even thought of such a thing, but some

strange person was corrupting the chat room, like a voyeur!

Being 6 months out I am a lot calmer. I am just wondering if anyone

has encountered the things I am going through and what their

experiences were.

Hopefully I am in a frame of mind where I can do someone else some

good at this point as well.

Deborah

>

> Hi Deborah,

> We do talk about other things in here. We feel its part of our

breast cancer experience. I hope that will not scare you away. I

will keep you in my prayers.

> Hugs

> Marainne

> Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

> http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

>

> Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:

> http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

> also check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:

> http://www.cancerclub.com

> to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen

>

>

> Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about

breast

> cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some " breast cancer

support "

> sites are not what you would think!)

>

> I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac

biopsy

> had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no

> nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of

> complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did

about 35

> sessions of radiation which finished in August.

>

> Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed

years

> ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to

be

> sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old

> diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After

30

> years of believing I had a blood clot problem I am a bit

reticent to

> go on tamoxifen.

>

> She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue

they

> tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want

to do

> that to one of her " younger " patients. (Only in oncology would

54

> years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)

>

> Anyone with similar experience?

> How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?

> Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your

journey

> through recovery been?

>

> Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which

is

> how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September

and

> October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing

> serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse

> practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues

> shrinking after radiation.

>

> Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?

>

> I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare

myself

> thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me

wonder.

> I welcome all thoughts.

>

> Deborah

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Deborah,

We can certainly relate to the stalker. We have had a few but everything is on an even keel. Who knows it may be one of the ones that had posted here till they got caught. I try to do my best to keep things going along smoothly.

Hugs

nne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Lifehttp://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.htmlalso check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:http://www.cancerclub.com

to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen> > > Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast > cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" > sites are not what you would think!)> > I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy > had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no > nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of > complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 > sessions of radiation which finished in August.> > Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years > ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be > sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old > diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 > years of believing I had a blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to > go on tamoxifen.> > She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they > tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do > that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 > years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)> > Anyone with similar experience? > How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?> Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey > through recovery been?> > Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is > how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and > October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing > serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse > practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues > shrinking after radiation.> > Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?> > I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself > thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.> I welcome all thoughts.> > Deborah> > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I wasn't able to take Tamoxifen as I was receptor negative. But there are lots of ladies here that did take it. Someone will probably reply. You are in my prayers.

Hugs

nne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Lifehttp://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.htmlalso check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:http://www.cancerclub.com

to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen

Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" sites are not what you would think!)I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 sessions of radiation which finished in August.Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 years of believing I had a blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to go on tamoxifen.She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)Anyone with similar experience? How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey through recovery been?Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues shrinking after radiation.Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.I welcome all thoughts.Deborah

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I wasn't able to take Tamoxifen as I was receptor negative. But there are lots of ladies here that did take it. Someone will probably reply. You are in my prayers.

Hugs

nne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Lifehttp://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.htmlalso check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:http://www.cancerclub.com

to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen

Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" sites are not what you would think!)I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 sessions of radiation which finished in August.Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 years of believing I had a blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to go on tamoxifen.She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)Anyone with similar experience? How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey through recovery been?Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues shrinking after radiation.Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.I welcome all thoughts.Deborah

[Guest guest]

,

What were your side effects from Tamoxifen? What did you do? Did you switch

medications? Or just opt to not take anything. If you have been reading e

mails lately, you will know that I am the one who gets the torturous furnace

flashes from Tamoxifen *and* Arimidex. I am trying to decide what to do. I

dont want to be sorry 5, 10, 20 years from now that I went off the medication

(if I were to do that), so I have been staying on Arimidex. But, I am

struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?

Love to us all,

--

Ogut

The Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It

--------- to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen

>

>

> Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast

> cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some " breast cancer support "

> sites are not what you would think!)

>

> I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy

> had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no

> nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of

> complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35

> sessions of radiation which finished in August.

>

> Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years

> ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be

> sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old

> diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30

> years of believing I had a blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to

> go on tamoxifen.

>

> She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they

> tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do

> that to one of her " younger " patients. (Only in oncology would 54

> years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)

>

> Anyone with similar experience?

> How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?

> Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey

> through recovery been?

>

> Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is

> how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and

> October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing

> serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse

> practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues

> shrinking after radiation.

>

> Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?

>

> I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself

> thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.

> I welcome all thoughts.

>

> Deborah

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

What were your side effects from Tamoxifen? What did you do? Did you switch

medications? Or just opt to not take anything. If you have been reading e

mails lately, you will know that I am the one who gets the torturous furnace

flashes from Tamoxifen *and* Arimidex. I am trying to decide what to do. I

dont want to be sorry 5, 10, 20 years from now that I went off the medication

(if I were to do that), so I have been staying on Arimidex. But, I am

struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?

Love to us all,

--

Ogut

The Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It

--------- to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen

>

>

> Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast

> cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some " breast cancer support "

> sites are not what you would think!)

>

> I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy

> had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no

> nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of

> complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35

> sessions of radiation which finished in August.

>

> Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years

> ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be

> sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old

> diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30

> years of believing I had a blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to

> go on tamoxifen.

>

> She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they

> tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do

> that to one of her " younger " patients. (Only in oncology would 54

> years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)

>

> Anyone with similar experience?

> How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?

> Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey

> through recovery been?

>

> Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is

> how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and

> October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing

> serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse

> practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues

> shrinking after radiation.

>

> Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?

>

> I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself

> thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.

> I welcome all thoughts.

>

> Deborah

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

What were your side effects from Tamoxifen? What did you do? Did you switch

medications? Or just opt to not take anything. If you have been reading e

mails lately, you will know that I am the one who gets the torturous furnace

flashes from Tamoxifen *and* Arimidex. I am trying to decide what to do. I

dont want to be sorry 5, 10, 20 years from now that I went off the medication

(if I were to do that), so I have been staying on Arimidex. But, I am

struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?

Love to us all,

--

Ogut

The Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It

--------- to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen

>

>

> Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast

> cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some " breast cancer support "

> sites are not what you would think!)

>

> I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy

> had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no

> nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of

> complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35

> sessions of radiation which finished in August.

>

> Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years

> ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be

> sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old

> diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30

> years of believing I had a blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to

> go on tamoxifen.

>

> She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they

> tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do

> that to one of her " younger " patients. (Only in oncology would 54

> years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)

>

> Anyone with similar experience?

> How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?

> Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey

> through recovery been?

>

> Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is

> how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and

> October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing

> serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse

> practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues

> shrinking after radiation.

>

> Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?

>

> I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself

> thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.

> I welcome all thoughts.

>

> Deborah

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I TOOK TAMOXAIFENFOR A YEAR THEN MY DR. CHANGED ME TO AREMIDEX HE SAID IT PROVED TO BE BETTER IN CLINICAL TRIALS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM EITHER ONE I THINK WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR CHANCES WITH CANCER WE SHOULD DO I NEVER DID ANYTHING TO CAUSE MY CANCER NEVER SMOKED OR DRANK ETC ALL I DID WAS TAKE HORMONES NO HISTORY OF CANCER IN FAMILY I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD CANCER BEEN THRU CHEMO RADIATION SURGERY ETC WOULD CONTINUE TO SMOKE SOMETHING THAT IS PROVEN TO BE CANCER CAUSING LATER IT SEEMS IT WAS A BAD DREAM AND YOU CAN PUT IT OUT OF YOUR MIND BUT IT IS HELL WHEN YOU ARE DOING ITlisaogut@... wrote: , What were your side effects from Tamoxifen? What did you do? Did you switch medications? Or just opt to not take anything. If you

have been reading e mails lately, you will know that I am the one who gets the torturous furnace flashes from Tamoxifen *and* Arimidex. I am trying to decide what to do. I dont want to be sorry 5, 10, 20 years from now that I went off the medication (if I were to do that), so I have been staying on Arimidex. But, I am struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It --------- to tamoxifen or not to

tamoxifen> > > Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast > cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" > sites are not what you would think!)> > I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy > had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no > nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of > complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 > sessions of radiation which finished in August.> > Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years > ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be > sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old > diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 > years of believing I had a blood clot problem I

am a bit reticent to > go on tamoxifen.> > She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they > tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do > that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 > years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)> > Anyone with similar experience? > How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?> Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey > through recovery been?> > Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is > how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and > October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing > serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse > practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues

> shrinking after radiation.> > Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?> > I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself > thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.> I welcome all thoughts.> > Deborah> > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I TOOK TAMOXAIFENFOR A YEAR THEN MY DR. CHANGED ME TO AREMIDEX HE SAID IT PROVED TO BE BETTER IN CLINICAL TRIALS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM EITHER ONE I THINK WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR CHANCES WITH CANCER WE SHOULD DO I NEVER DID ANYTHING TO CAUSE MY CANCER NEVER SMOKED OR DRANK ETC ALL I DID WAS TAKE HORMONES NO HISTORY OF CANCER IN FAMILY I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD CANCER BEEN THRU CHEMO RADIATION SURGERY ETC WOULD CONTINUE TO SMOKE SOMETHING THAT IS PROVEN TO BE CANCER CAUSING LATER IT SEEMS IT WAS A BAD DREAM AND YOU CAN PUT IT OUT OF YOUR MIND BUT IT IS HELL WHEN YOU ARE DOING ITlisaogut@... wrote: , What were your side effects from Tamoxifen? What did you do? Did you switch medications? Or just opt to not take anything. If you

have been reading e mails lately, you will know that I am the one who gets the torturous furnace flashes from Tamoxifen *and* Arimidex. I am trying to decide what to do. I dont want to be sorry 5, 10, 20 years from now that I went off the medication (if I were to do that), so I have been staying on Arimidex. But, I am struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It --------- to tamoxifen or not to

tamoxifen> > > Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast > cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" > sites are not what you would think!)> > I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy > had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no > nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of > complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 > sessions of radiation which finished in August.> > Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years > ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be > sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old > diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 > years of believing I had a blood clot problem I

am a bit reticent to > go on tamoxifen.> > She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they > tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do > that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 > years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)> > Anyone with similar experience? > How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?> Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey > through recovery been?> > Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is > how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and > October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing > serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse > practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues

> shrinking after radiation.> > Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?> > I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself > thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.> I welcome all thoughts.> > Deborah> > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I TOOK TAMOXAIFENFOR A YEAR THEN MY DR. CHANGED ME TO AREMIDEX HE SAID IT PROVED TO BE BETTER IN CLINICAL TRIALS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM EITHER ONE I THINK WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR CHANCES WITH CANCER WE SHOULD DO I NEVER DID ANYTHING TO CAUSE MY CANCER NEVER SMOKED OR DRANK ETC ALL I DID WAS TAKE HORMONES NO HISTORY OF CANCER IN FAMILY I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD CANCER BEEN THRU CHEMO RADIATION SURGERY ETC WOULD CONTINUE TO SMOKE SOMETHING THAT IS PROVEN TO BE CANCER CAUSING LATER IT SEEMS IT WAS A BAD DREAM AND YOU CAN PUT IT OUT OF YOUR MIND BUT IT IS HELL WHEN YOU ARE DOING ITlisaogut@... wrote: , What were your side effects from Tamoxifen? What did you do? Did you switch medications? Or just opt to not take anything. If you

have been reading e mails lately, you will know that I am the one who gets the torturous furnace flashes from Tamoxifen *and* Arimidex. I am trying to decide what to do. I dont want to be sorry 5, 10, 20 years from now that I went off the medication (if I were to do that), so I have been staying on Arimidex. But, I am struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It --------- to tamoxifen or not to

tamoxifen> > > Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast > cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" > sites are not what you would think!)> > I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy > had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no > nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of > complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 > sessions of radiation which finished in August.> > Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years > ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be > sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old > diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 > years of believing I had a blood clot problem I

am a bit reticent to > go on tamoxifen.> > She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they > tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do > that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 > years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)> > Anyone with similar experience? > How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?> Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey > through recovery been?> > Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is > how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and > October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing > serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse > practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues

> shrinking after radiation.> > Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?> > I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself > thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.> I welcome all thoughts.> > Deborah> > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I TOOK TAMOXAIFENFOR A YEAR THEN MY DR. CHANGED ME TO AREMIDEX HE SAID IT PROVED TO BE BETTER IN CLINICAL TRIALS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM EITHER ONE I THINK WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR CHANCES WITH CANCER WE SHOULD DO I NEVER DID ANYTHING TO CAUSE MY CANCER NEVER SMOKED OR DRANK ETC ALL I DID WAS TAKE HORMONES NO HISTORY OF CANCER IN FAMILY I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD CANCER BEEN THRU CHEMO RADIATION SURGERY ETC WOULD CONTINUE TO SMOKE SOMETHING THAT IS PROVEN TO BE CANCER CAUSING LATER IT SEEMS IT WAS A BAD DREAM AND YOU CAN PUT IT OUT OF YOUR MIND BUT IT IS HELL WHEN YOU ARE DOING ITlisaogut@... wrote: , What were your side effects from Tamoxifen? What did you do? Did you switch medications? Or

just opt to not take anything. If you have been reading e mails lately, you will know that I am the one who gets the torturous furnace flashes from Tamoxifen *and* Arimidex. I am trying to decide what to do. I dont want to be sorry 5, 10, 20 years from now that I went off the medication (if I were to do that), so I have been staying on Arimidex. But, I am struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It --------- to

tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen> > > Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast > cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" > sites are not what you would think!)> > I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy > had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no > nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of > complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 > sessions of radiation which finished in August.> > Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years > ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be > sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old > diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 > years of believing I had a

blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to > go on tamoxifen.> > She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they > tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do > that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 > years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)> > Anyone with similar experience? > How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?> Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey > through recovery been?> > Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is > how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and > October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing > serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse > practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it

is healing, tissues > shrinking after radiation.> > Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?> > I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself > thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.> I welcome all thoughts.> > Deborah> > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I TOOK TAMOXAIFENFOR A YEAR THEN MY DR. CHANGED ME TO AREMIDEX HE SAID IT PROVED TO BE BETTER IN CLINICAL TRIALS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM EITHER ONE I THINK WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR CHANCES WITH CANCER WE SHOULD DO I NEVER DID ANYTHING TO CAUSE MY CANCER NEVER SMOKED OR DRANK ETC ALL I DID WAS TAKE HORMONES NO HISTORY OF CANCER IN FAMILY I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD CANCER BEEN THRU CHEMO RADIATION SURGERY ETC WOULD CONTINUE TO SMOKE SOMETHING THAT IS PROVEN TO BE CANCER CAUSING LATER IT SEEMS IT WAS A BAD DREAM AND YOU CAN PUT IT OUT OF YOUR MIND BUT IT IS HELL WHEN YOU ARE DOING ITlisaogut@... wrote: , What were your side effects from Tamoxifen? What did you do? Did you switch medications? Or

just opt to not take anything. If you have been reading e mails lately, you will know that I am the one who gets the torturous furnace flashes from Tamoxifen *and* Arimidex. I am trying to decide what to do. I dont want to be sorry 5, 10, 20 years from now that I went off the medication (if I were to do that), so I have been staying on Arimidex. But, I am struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It --------- to

tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen> > > Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast > cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" > sites are not what you would think!)> > I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy > had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no > nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of > complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 > sessions of radiation which finished in August.> > Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years > ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be > sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old > diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 > years of believing I had a

blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to > go on tamoxifen.> > She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they > tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do > that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 > years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)> > Anyone with similar experience? > How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?> Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey > through recovery been?> > Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is > how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and > October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing > serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse > practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it

is healing, tissues > shrinking after radiation.> > Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?> > I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself > thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.> I welcome all thoughts.> > Deborah> > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I TOOK TAMOXAIFENFOR A YEAR THEN MY DR. CHANGED ME TO AREMIDEX HE SAID IT PROVED TO BE BETTER IN CLINICAL TRIALS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM EITHER ONE I THINK WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR CHANCES WITH CANCER WE SHOULD DO I NEVER DID ANYTHING TO CAUSE MY CANCER NEVER SMOKED OR DRANK ETC ALL I DID WAS TAKE HORMONES NO HISTORY OF CANCER IN FAMILY I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD CANCER BEEN THRU CHEMO RADIATION SURGERY ETC WOULD CONTINUE TO SMOKE SOMETHING THAT IS PROVEN TO BE CANCER CAUSING LATER IT SEEMS IT WAS A BAD DREAM AND YOU CAN PUT IT OUT OF YOUR MIND BUT IT IS HELL WHEN YOU ARE DOING ITlisaogut@... wrote: , What were your side effects from Tamoxifen? What did you do? Did you switch medications? Or

just opt to not take anything. If you have been reading e mails lately, you will know that I am the one who gets the torturous furnace flashes from Tamoxifen *and* Arimidex. I am trying to decide what to do. I dont want to be sorry 5, 10, 20 years from now that I went off the medication (if I were to do that), so I have been staying on Arimidex. But, I am struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It --------- to

tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen> > > Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast > cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" > sites are not what you would think!)> > I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy > had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no > nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of > complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 > sessions of radiation which finished in August.> > Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years > ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be > sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old > diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 > years of believing I had a

blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to > go on tamoxifen.> > She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they > tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do > that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 > years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)> > Anyone with similar experience? > How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?> Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey > through recovery been?> > Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is > how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and > October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing > serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse > practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it

is healing, tissues > shrinking after radiation.> > Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?> > I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself > thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.> I welcome all thoughts.> > Deborah> > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I TOOK TAMOXAIFENFOR A YEAR THEN MY DR. CHANGED ME TO AREMIDEX HE SAID IT PROVED TO BE BETTER IN CLINICAL TRIALS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM EITHER ONE I THINK WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR CHANCES WITH CANCER WE SHOULD DO I NEVER DID ANYTHING TO CAUSE MY CANCER NEVER SMOKED OR DRANK ETC ALL I DID WAS TAKE HORMONES NO HISTORY OF CANCER IN FAMILY I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD CANCER BEEN THRU CHEMO RADIATION SURGERY ETC WOULD CONTINUE TO SMOKE SOMETHING THAT IS PROVEN TO BE CANCER CAUSING LATER IT SEEMS IT WAS A BAD DREAM AND YOU CAN PUT IT OUT OF YOUR MIND BUT IT IS HELL WHEN YOU ARE DOING ITlisaogut@... wrote: , What were your side effects from Tamoxifen? What did you do? Did you switch medications? Or just opt to not take

anything. If you have been reading e mails lately, you will know that I am the one who gets the torturous furnace flashes from Tamoxifen *and* Arimidex. I am trying to decide what to do. I dont want to be sorry 5, 10, 20 years from now that I went off the medication (if I were to do that), so I have been staying on Arimidex. But, I am struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It --------- to tamoxifen or not to

tamoxifen> > > Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast > cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" > sites are not what you would think!)> > I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy > had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no > nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of > complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 > sessions of radiation which finished in August.> > Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years > ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be > sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old > diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 > years of believing I had a blood clot problem I

am a bit reticent to > go on tamoxifen.> > She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they > tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do > that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 > years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)> > Anyone with similar experience? > How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?> Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey > through recovery been?> > Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is > how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and > October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing > serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse > practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues

> shrinking after radiation.> > Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?> > I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself > thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.> I welcome all thoughts.> > Deborah> > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I TOOK TAMOXAIFENFOR A YEAR THEN MY DR. CHANGED ME TO AREMIDEX HE SAID IT PROVED TO BE BETTER IN CLINICAL TRIALS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM EITHER ONE I THINK WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR CHANCES WITH CANCER WE SHOULD DO I NEVER DID ANYTHING TO CAUSE MY CANCER NEVER SMOKED OR DRANK ETC ALL I DID WAS TAKE HORMONES NO HISTORY OF CANCER IN FAMILY I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD CANCER BEEN THRU CHEMO RADIATION SURGERY ETC WOULD CONTINUE TO SMOKE SOMETHING THAT IS PROVEN TO BE CANCER CAUSING LATER IT SEEMS IT WAS A BAD DREAM AND YOU CAN PUT IT OUT OF YOUR MIND BUT IT IS HELL WHEN YOU ARE DOING ITlisaogut@... wrote: , What were your side effects from Tamoxifen? What did you do? Did you switch medications? Or just opt to not take

anything. If you have been reading e mails lately, you will know that I am the one who gets the torturous furnace flashes from Tamoxifen *and* Arimidex. I am trying to decide what to do. I dont want to be sorry 5, 10, 20 years from now that I went off the medication (if I were to do that), so I have been staying on Arimidex. But, I am struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It --------- to tamoxifen or not to

tamoxifen> > > Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast > cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" > sites are not what you would think!)> > I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy > had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no > nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of > complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 > sessions of radiation which finished in August.> > Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years > ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be > sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old > diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 > years of believing I had a blood clot problem I

am a bit reticent to > go on tamoxifen.> > She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they > tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do > that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 > years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)> > Anyone with similar experience? > How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?> Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey > through recovery been?> > Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is > how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and > October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing > serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse > practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues

> shrinking after radiation.> > Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?> > I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself > thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.> I welcome all thoughts.> > Deborah> > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I TOOK TAMOXAIFENFOR A YEAR THEN MY DR. CHANGED ME TO AREMIDEX HE SAID IT PROVED TO BE BETTER IN CLINICAL TRIALS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM EITHER ONE I THINK WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR CHANCES WITH CANCER WE SHOULD DO I NEVER DID ANYTHING TO CAUSE MY CANCER NEVER SMOKED OR DRANK ETC ALL I DID WAS TAKE HORMONES NO HISTORY OF CANCER IN FAMILY I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD CANCER BEEN THRU CHEMO RADIATION SURGERY ETC WOULD CONTINUE TO SMOKE SOMETHING THAT IS PROVEN TO BE CANCER CAUSING LATER IT SEEMS IT WAS A BAD DREAM AND YOU CAN PUT IT OUT OF YOUR MIND BUT IT IS HELL WHEN YOU ARE DOING ITlisaogut@... wrote: , What were your side effects from Tamoxifen? What did you do? Did you switch medications? Or just opt to not take

anything. If you have been reading e mails lately, you will know that I am the one who gets the torturous furnace flashes from Tamoxifen *and* Arimidex. I am trying to decide what to do. I dont want to be sorry 5, 10, 20 years from now that I went off the medication (if I were to do that), so I have been staying on Arimidex. But, I am struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It --------- to tamoxifen or not to

tamoxifen> > > Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast > cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" > sites are not what you would think!)> > I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy > had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no > nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of > complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 > sessions of radiation which finished in August.> > Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years > ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be > sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old > diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 > years of believing I had a blood clot problem I

am a bit reticent to > go on tamoxifen.> > She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they > tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do > that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 > years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)> > Anyone with similar experience? > How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?> Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey > through recovery been?> > Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is > how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and > October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing > serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse > practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues

> shrinking after radiation.> > Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?> > I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself > thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.> I welcome all thoughts.> > Deborah> > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Dari,

Thanks for asking. I suffer from furnace flashes. People misunderstand because

they think I am talking about regular hot flashes. I am not. Mine are pure

torture and they are around 4 flashes per hour every day and night. I cant do

anything without being interrupted with a hot flash. Once I tried to clean my

bathroom, and even with the air conditioning blasting, I filled up an entire

bath towel with sweat, just trying to do a normal thing. I could do a huge list

of how it is living with these. When the hot flashes first started, I had

scratches all over my arms. I didnt know where the scratches were coming from,

until one day, during a hot flash, I caught myself ripping the skin of my arms

trying to get my top off as fast as possible. They are so severe that I didnt

even notice scratching my arms up during them. Imagine everything you do, from

getting up in the morning, using the restroom, getting coffee, feeding the cats,

making breakfast, making bread, sweeping a floor, gathering laundry, oil

painting, reading, eating, smoking (ahem), e-mailing (!), going out to the

mailbox, looking for a box to wrap something in, trying to find soap under the

sink, trying to find *anything* really, having a comfortable moment with the cat

on your lap, having a nice hot cup of coffee or tea, watching TV, getting ready

for bed, and then trying to get to sleep when every time you are just about

falling asleep a hot flash comes and wakes you up. Try to sleep again, another

hot flash. Again, flash, again, flash. While doing any of the things above,

and then some (try intimacy w/ your partner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!URG), right

in the middle you are being tortured with heat beyond your wildest dreams, plus,

your hands get so wet that they slip and slide everywhere and you are unable to

grasp anything at all. Not to mention the sweat everywhere else, in places you

hardly knew you had, like my shin-fronts. How weird is that. I do *not* have

" hot flashes. " That just doesnt cut it. I am being tortured dozens upon dozens

of times per day every day every night because of these hot flashes. Try making

it through a job interview. How about preparing for the job interview. Can you

even concentrate, no. How about a bridge tournament. I have to sit there

suffering and pretend it isnt happening, right in the middle of dozens upon

dozens of important plays. I could go on. Maybe I want to sing a song -- well,

I can, but I am interrupted with a hot flash usually in the middle of it. I try

and try to explain to doctors but they close their ears when they hear " hot

flash, " and think they know what I am talking about and think I am overreacting.

I constantly struggle with whether to go off the Arimidex and just take nothing,

or keep taking this medication which causes me such horrid days and nights.

Shrug of shoulders. I dont know what to do, really. My cancer was ER+,

pre-menopausal. I did fertility tests to see how fertile I was when I married

my 2nd husband at age 41 (I never had any children)-- this was before the

cancer, and my hormones measured as those of a 31 year old, so I was really

*way* premenopausal, so that is part of the reason why I have these severe hot

flashes, but other people, also pre-menopausal, dont have the severity that I

do. (I didnt really start regularly menstruating until I was 26 ! so that may

be why I measured as a 31 year old in terms of egg production). PS--- not to

brag, but I still get carded a lot, and my hubby, who is 11 yrs. younger, does

NOT get carded. He is thrilled w/ that! I am 49. I got carded for cigarettes

and the woman was calling the police on me for using a false ID -- this " call

the police " thing happened twice before when I was buying booze at age 40.

So I have something going for me! At least! So, this is the dilemma I face:

quality of life issues. My hubby does not want me to go off the Arimidex. My

onc. said no other similar med will make a difference re. the hot flashes

because they are all in the same family, and tamoxifen did the same thing to me.

Love to us all,

--

Ogut

The Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It

-------------- Original message ----------------------

From: fastest2@...

> In a message dated 12/8/2005 2:23:23 PM Central Standard Time,

> dustyrose4656@... writes:

>

> > I am struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?

> >

>

> What are the quality of life issues?

> Dari

I am struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?

What are the quality of life issues?

Dari

[Guest guest]

Dari,

Thanks for asking. I suffer from furnace flashes. People misunderstand because

they think I am talking about regular hot flashes. I am not. Mine are pure

torture and they are around 4 flashes per hour every day and night. I cant do

anything without being interrupted with a hot flash. Once I tried to clean my

bathroom, and even with the air conditioning blasting, I filled up an entire

bath towel with sweat, just trying to do a normal thing. I could do a huge list

of how it is living with these. When the hot flashes first started, I had

scratches all over my arms. I didnt know where the scratches were coming from,

until one day, during a hot flash, I caught myself ripping the skin of my arms

trying to get my top off as fast as possible. They are so severe that I didnt

even notice scratching my arms up during them. Imagine everything you do, from

getting up in the morning, using the restroom, getting coffee, feeding the cats,

making breakfast, making bread, sweeping a floor, gathering laundry, oil

painting, reading, eating, smoking (ahem), e-mailing (!), going out to the

mailbox, looking for a box to wrap something in, trying to find soap under the

sink, trying to find *anything* really, having a comfortable moment with the cat

on your lap, having a nice hot cup of coffee or tea, watching TV, getting ready

for bed, and then trying to get to sleep when every time you are just about

falling asleep a hot flash comes and wakes you up. Try to sleep again, another

hot flash. Again, flash, again, flash. While doing any of the things above,

and then some (try intimacy w/ your partner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!URG), right

in the middle you are being tortured with heat beyond your wildest dreams, plus,

your hands get so wet that they slip and slide everywhere and you are unable to

grasp anything at all. Not to mention the sweat everywhere else, in places you

hardly knew you had, like my shin-fronts. How weird is that. I do *not* have

" hot flashes. " That just doesnt cut it. I am being tortured dozens upon dozens

of times per day every day every night because of these hot flashes. Try making

it through a job interview. How about preparing for the job interview. Can you

even concentrate, no. How about a bridge tournament. I have to sit there

suffering and pretend it isnt happening, right in the middle of dozens upon

dozens of important plays. I could go on. Maybe I want to sing a song -- well,

I can, but I am interrupted with a hot flash usually in the middle of it. I try

and try to explain to doctors but they close their ears when they hear " hot

flash, " and think they know what I am talking about and think I am overreacting.

I constantly struggle with whether to go off the Arimidex and just take nothing,

or keep taking this medication which causes me such horrid days and nights.

Shrug of shoulders. I dont know what to do, really. My cancer was ER+,

pre-menopausal. I did fertility tests to see how fertile I was when I married

my 2nd husband at age 41 (I never had any children)-- this was before the

cancer, and my hormones measured as those of a 31 year old, so I was really

*way* premenopausal, so that is part of the reason why I have these severe hot

flashes, but other people, also pre-menopausal, dont have the severity that I

do. (I didnt really start regularly menstruating until I was 26 ! so that may

be why I measured as a 31 year old in terms of egg production). PS--- not to

brag, but I still get carded a lot, and my hubby, who is 11 yrs. younger, does

NOT get carded. He is thrilled w/ that! I am 49. I got carded for cigarettes

and the woman was calling the police on me for using a false ID -- this " call

the police " thing happened twice before when I was buying booze at age 40.

So I have something going for me! At least! So, this is the dilemma I face:

quality of life issues. My hubby does not want me to go off the Arimidex. My

onc. said no other similar med will make a difference re. the hot flashes

because they are all in the same family, and tamoxifen did the same thing to me.

Love to us all,

--

Ogut

The Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It

-------------- Original message ----------------------

From: fastest2@...

> In a message dated 12/8/2005 2:23:23 PM Central Standard Time,

> dustyrose4656@... writes:

>

> > I am struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?

> >

>

> What are the quality of life issues?

> Dari

I am struggling w/ quality of life issues. What was your answer?

What are the quality of life issues?

Dari

[Guest guest]

hi lisa yes i agree that there are so many things other than cigarettes such as red meat etc the only die only difference is that if we consume something that is cancer causing we are only doing it to ourself cigarette smoking is a little different it exposes every one around us to these cancer causing agents i am sure minewas caused from hormones if i had it to do over i would never taken them my tumor was 15 by 16 cm when iwas diagnosed four years ago mary lisaogut@... wrote: Hi ,I see my smoking upsets you. This is what surprises me: meat, especially red meat, diet pop, surplus of sweets, *any* kind of animal fat, chemicals in food (including eggs), chemicals in body lotion, over-eating, preservatives, plastics in microwaves, breathing air for an hour outside

while on a walk or run, filling up gas at a gas station, petroleum use of *any* kind that makes its way into the body, alcohol use, many more things are *all* POISONS. OK? Besides things that people ingest, there is over-eating (a big one), sex-addiction, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, any number of poisons. Every single person over 40 that I know *has a poison that they use daily*. (anyone out there over 40 who does not use one or more of these poisons?) They All are dangerous, and besides the sex, *all* are carcinogenic. OK? You might think to yourself: but cigarette smoking is addictive. Well, the fact that it is addictive is not what makes it carcinogenic. What makes it carcinogenic is behavior: how often it is used. I will bet that red meat is by far *worse* than cigarettes. No, its not addictive (although one might argue that it is, as people keep consuming it, knowing it is terrible for

them). But, addiction is not what makes red meat (and the list of the things above) carcinogenic; *behavoir* is what makes red meat carcinogenic, i.e. how often it is ingested. Behavior is what makes all of the above carcinogenic, how often is it ingested/used. My guess is several times daily. I find it so interesting that people with their own poisons come down so hard on my chosen poison. I am not mad about it at all, but I sorta want to scream: what about Your Own poisons? I dont do preservatives, I dont do meat, I dont do eggs (except vegetarian, cage-free eggs), I dont overeat, use sex or alcohol as an addiction. Here, in Chicagoland, they want to make smoking banned in restaurants. I suppose 2nd hand smoke is dangerous for waitrons. But I want to say "get your f-ing red meat away from me." Further, use of meat abuses animals *terribly* which to me is unconscionable. Smoking doesnt abuse animals,

or people, if done in my home. I just think the world is So weird looking at smoking as "The One Big Poison" when by far, it is not as bad as the rest of them. That's all! Thanks for your interest. I am glad you said something because I am sure others are thinking the same thing.Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It --------- to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen> > > > > > Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast > > cancer and not a lot

of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" > > sites are not what you would think!)> > > > I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy > > had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no > > nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of > > complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 > > sessions of radiation which finished in August.> > > > Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years > > ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be > > sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old > > diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 > > years of believing I had a blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to > > go on tamoxifen.> > > > She

was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they > > tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do > > that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 > > years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)> > > > Anyone with similar experience? > > How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?> > Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey > > through recovery been?> > > > Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is > > how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and > > October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing > > serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse > > practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues

> > shrinking after radiation.> > > > Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?> > > > I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself > > thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.> > I welcome all thoughts.> > > > Deborah> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

hi lisa yes i agree that there are so many things other than cigarettes such as red meat etc the only die only difference is that if we consume something that is cancer causing we are only doing it to ourself cigarette smoking is a little different it exposes every one around us to these cancer causing agents i am sure minewas caused from hormones if i had it to do over i would never taken them my tumor was 15 by 16 cm when iwas diagnosed four years ago mary lisaogut@... wrote: Hi ,I see my smoking upsets you. This is what surprises me: meat, especially red meat, diet pop, surplus of sweets, *any* kind of animal fat, chemicals in food (including eggs), chemicals in body lotion, over-eating, preservatives, plastics in microwaves, breathing air for an hour outside

while on a walk or run, filling up gas at a gas station, petroleum use of *any* kind that makes its way into the body, alcohol use, many more things are *all* POISONS. OK? Besides things that people ingest, there is over-eating (a big one), sex-addiction, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, any number of poisons. Every single person over 40 that I know *has a poison that they use daily*. (anyone out there over 40 who does not use one or more of these poisons?) They All are dangerous, and besides the sex, *all* are carcinogenic. OK? You might think to yourself: but cigarette smoking is addictive. Well, the fact that it is addictive is not what makes it carcinogenic. What makes it carcinogenic is behavior: how often it is used. I will bet that red meat is by far *worse* than cigarettes. No, its not addictive (although one might argue that it is, as people keep consuming it, knowing it is terrible for

them). But, addiction is not what makes red meat (and the list of the things above) carcinogenic; *behavoir* is what makes red meat carcinogenic, i.e. how often it is ingested. Behavior is what makes all of the above carcinogenic, how often is it ingested/used. My guess is several times daily. I find it so interesting that people with their own poisons come down so hard on my chosen poison. I am not mad about it at all, but I sorta want to scream: what about Your Own poisons? I dont do preservatives, I dont do meat, I dont do eggs (except vegetarian, cage-free eggs), I dont overeat, use sex or alcohol as an addiction. Here, in Chicagoland, they want to make smoking banned in restaurants. I suppose 2nd hand smoke is dangerous for waitrons. But I want to say "get your f-ing red meat away from me." Further, use of meat abuses animals *terribly* which to me is unconscionable. Smoking doesnt abuse animals,

or people, if done in my home. I just think the world is So weird looking at smoking as "The One Big Poison" when by far, it is not as bad as the rest of them. That's all! Thanks for your interest. I am glad you said something because I am sure others are thinking the same thing.Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It --------- to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen> > > > > > Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast > > cancer and not a lot

of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" > > sites are not what you would think!)> > > > I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy > > had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no > > nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of > > complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 > > sessions of radiation which finished in August.> > > > Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years > > ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be > > sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old > > diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 > > years of believing I had a blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to > > go on tamoxifen.> > > > She

was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they > > tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do > > that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 > > years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)> > > > Anyone with similar experience? > > How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?> > Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey > > through recovery been?> > > > Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is > > how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and > > October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing > > serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse > > practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues

> > shrinking after radiation.> > > > Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?> > > > I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself > > thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.> > I welcome all thoughts.> > > > Deborah> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

lisa, i also had to deal with those flashes....doctor put me on effexor and that almost cooled them down to nothing along with helping my mood and depression....something to think about...

i also smoke and probally will die smokeing being stage 4 i will do and consume any and everything my heart desires.....until a doctor says to me, carol if you stop smokeing you will live a long life or if you stop your cancer will go away but the fact is , it didn't cause my breast cancer nor did it cause my cancer to come back......like you i am not upset but the only person that can judge me is my heavenly father.....ok i will shut up now...

hugs and prayers from carol in northern mi.

[Guest guest]

Actually that's not quite true. Everyone of us drives a car and puts pollutants into the air that cause cancer. Everyone who buys standard fruits and veggies instead of organic, well, you tell farmers it's okay to spray cancer causing chemicals into our air and onto our food supply. If you eat beef, pork, chicken, etc... especially if you buy non organic forms of those, farmers of these products pollute our streams and under water tables. Do you eat processed foods, you are contributing to big food corporations that pollute the environment very heavily on an hourly basis.If you consume plastics, as in buy stuff that is heavily wrapped in plastics, think of what it takes to produce plastic and then what it does to the environment as it starts to deteriorate, we are poisoning people by using plastics. I could go on and on, I could write a book, in fact, many people already have. While I don't agree with 's continuing to smoke I do agree with what she has said. And don't even get me started on Wal-Mart shopping. :-/

Don't get me wrong, I'm a meat eater though I don't eat much and what I do eat I only buy organic. But our industrialized world is what created this massive outbreak of cancers.

One more thing. Tobacco, unadulterated, unprocessed, is not a tenth as bad for you as the brand cigs you get today. If you grew your own from organic seeds it wouldn't have near the effects on the body that those packaged brand do.

LICS June "The best protection any woman can have...is courage." Cady Stanton Secular Breast Cancer Support group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SecularBCSupport/

-----Original Message-----From: breastcancer2 [mailto:breastcancer2 ]On Behalf Of WeinbergerSent: Thursday, December 08, 2005 4:43 PMTo: breastcancer2 Subject: Re: to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen

hi lisa yes i agree that there are so many things other than cigarettes such as red meat etc the only die only difference is that if we consume something that is cancer causing we are only doing it to ourself cigarette smoking is a little different it exposes every one around us to these cancer causing agents i am sure minewas caused from hormones if i had it to do over i would never taken them my tumor was 15 by 16 cm when iwas diagnosed four years ago mary lisaogut@... wrote: Hi ,I see my smoking upsets you. This is what surprises me: meat, especially red meat, diet pop, surplus of sweets, *any* kind of animal fat, chemicals in food (including eggs), chemicals in body lotion, over-eating, preservatives, plastics in microwaves, breathing air for an hour outside while on a walk or run, filling up gas at a gas station, petroleum use of *any* kind that makes its way into the body, alcohol use, many more things are *all* POISONS. OK? Besides things that people ingest, there is over-eating (a big one), sex-addiction, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, any number of poisons. Every single person over 40 that I know *has a poison that they use daily*. (anyone out there over 40 who does not use one or more of these poisons?) They All are dangerous, and besides the sex, *all* are carcinogenic. OK? You might think to yourself: but cigarette smoking is addictive. Well, the fact that it is addictive is not what makes it carcinogenic. What makes it carcinogenic is behavior: how often it is used. I will bet that red meat is by far *worse* than cigarettes. No, its not addictive (although one might argue that it is, as people keep consuming it, knowing it is terrible for them). But, addiction is not what makes red meat (and the list of the things above) carcinogenic; *behavoir* is what makes red meat carcinogenic, i.e. how often it is ingested. Behavior is what makes all of the above carcinogenic, how often is it ingested/used. My guess is several times daily. I find it so interesting that people with their own poisons come down so hard on my chosen poison. I am not mad about it at all, but I sorta want to scream: what about Your Own poisons? I dont do preservatives, I dont do meat, I dont do eggs (except vegetarian, cage-free eggs), I dont overeat, use sex or alcohol as an addiction. Here, in Chicagoland, they want to make smoking banned in restaurants. I suppose 2nd hand smoke is dangerous for waitrons. But I want to say "get your f-ing red meat away from me." Further, use of meat abuses animals *terribly* which to me is unconscionable. Smoking doesnt abuse animals, or people, if done in my home. I just think the world is So weird looking at smoking as "The One Big Poison" when by far, it is not as bad as the rest of them. That's all! Thanks for your interest. I am glad you said something because I am sure others are thinking the same thing.Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It --------- to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen> > > > > > Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast > > cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" > > sites are not what you would think!)> > > > I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy > > had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no > > nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of > > complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 > > sessions of radiation which finished in August.> > > > Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years > > ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be > > sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old > > diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 > > years of believing I had a blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to > > go on tamoxifen.> > > > She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they > > tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do > > that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 > > years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)> > > > Anyone with similar experience? > > How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?> > Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey > > through recovery been?> > > > Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is > > how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and > > October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing > > serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse > > practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues > > shrinking after radiation.> > > > Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?> > > > I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself > > thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.> > I welcome all thoughts.> > > > Deborah> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Actually that's not quite true. Everyone of us drives a car and puts pollutants into the air that cause cancer. Everyone who buys standard fruits and veggies instead of organic, well, you tell farmers it's okay to spray cancer causing chemicals into our air and onto our food supply. If you eat beef, pork, chicken, etc... especially if you buy non organic forms of those, farmers of these products pollute our streams and under water tables. Do you eat processed foods, you are contributing to big food corporations that pollute the environment very heavily on an hourly basis.If you consume plastics, as in buy stuff that is heavily wrapped in plastics, think of what it takes to produce plastic and then what it does to the environment as it starts to deteriorate, we are poisoning people by using plastics. I could go on and on, I could write a book, in fact, many people already have. While I don't agree with 's continuing to smoke I do agree with what she has said. And don't even get me started on Wal-Mart shopping. :-/

Don't get me wrong, I'm a meat eater though I don't eat much and what I do eat I only buy organic. But our industrialized world is what created this massive outbreak of cancers.

One more thing. Tobacco, unadulterated, unprocessed, is not a tenth as bad for you as the brand cigs you get today. If you grew your own from organic seeds it wouldn't have near the effects on the body that those packaged brand do.

LICS June "The best protection any woman can have...is courage." Cady Stanton Secular Breast Cancer Support group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SecularBCSupport/

-----Original Message-----From: breastcancer2 [mailto:breastcancer2 ]On Behalf Of WeinbergerSent: Thursday, December 08, 2005 4:43 PMTo: breastcancer2 Subject: Re: to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen

hi lisa yes i agree that there are so many things other than cigarettes such as red meat etc the only die only difference is that if we consume something that is cancer causing we are only doing it to ourself cigarette smoking is a little different it exposes every one around us to these cancer causing agents i am sure minewas caused from hormones if i had it to do over i would never taken them my tumor was 15 by 16 cm when iwas diagnosed four years ago mary lisaogut@... wrote: Hi ,I see my smoking upsets you. This is what surprises me: meat, especially red meat, diet pop, surplus of sweets, *any* kind of animal fat, chemicals in food (including eggs), chemicals in body lotion, over-eating, preservatives, plastics in microwaves, breathing air for an hour outside while on a walk or run, filling up gas at a gas station, petroleum use of *any* kind that makes its way into the body, alcohol use, many more things are *all* POISONS. OK? Besides things that people ingest, there is over-eating (a big one), sex-addiction, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, any number of poisons. Every single person over 40 that I know *has a poison that they use daily*. (anyone out there over 40 who does not use one or more of these poisons?) They All are dangerous, and besides the sex, *all* are carcinogenic. OK? You might think to yourself: but cigarette smoking is addictive. Well, the fact that it is addictive is not what makes it carcinogenic. What makes it carcinogenic is behavior: how often it is used. I will bet that red meat is by far *worse* than cigarettes. No, its not addictive (although one might argue that it is, as people keep consuming it, knowing it is terrible for them). But, addiction is not what makes red meat (and the list of the things above) carcinogenic; *behavoir* is what makes red meat carcinogenic, i.e. how often it is ingested. Behavior is what makes all of the above carcinogenic, how often is it ingested/used. My guess is several times daily. I find it so interesting that people with their own poisons come down so hard on my chosen poison. I am not mad about it at all, but I sorta want to scream: what about Your Own poisons? I dont do preservatives, I dont do meat, I dont do eggs (except vegetarian, cage-free eggs), I dont overeat, use sex or alcohol as an addiction. Here, in Chicagoland, they want to make smoking banned in restaurants. I suppose 2nd hand smoke is dangerous for waitrons. But I want to say "get your f-ing red meat away from me." Further, use of meat abuses animals *terribly* which to me is unconscionable. Smoking doesnt abuse animals, or people, if done in my home. I just think the world is So weird looking at smoking as "The One Big Poison" when by far, it is not as bad as the rest of them. That's all! Thanks for your interest. I am glad you said something because I am sure others are thinking the same thing.Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It --------- to tamoxifen or not to tamoxifen> > > > > > Hello, all. Hopefully I have found a group that talks about breast > > cancer and not a lot of other stuff (some "breast cancer support" > > sites are not what you would think!)> > > > I had a wide excision in May of this year - DCIS. Steriotac biopsy > > had been extensive and showed no growth outside the ducts so no > > nodes were done. [My mother died in March 2002 at age 77 of > > complications from BC diagnosed 4 1/2 years before.] I did about 35 > > sessions of radiation which finished in August.> > > > Have had extensive blood work since then - had been diagnosed years > > ago with a blood clot tendency at age 23; oncologist wanted to be > > sure before putting me on tamoxifen. First round showed old > > diagnosis correct. Repeat blood work showed no problem. After 30 > > years of believing I had a blood clot problem I am a bit reticent to > > go on tamoxifen.> > > > She was reluctant to put me on one of the newer drugs becasue they > > tend to show arthritic problems over time and she doesn't want to do > > that to one of her "younger" patients. (Only in oncology would 54 > > years old be a younger patient! I got a chuckle out of that!)> > > > Anyone with similar experience? > > How about side effects of tamoxifen? Anyone on it?> > Any long time survivors who didn't take it? What has your journey > > through recovery been?> > > > Also, am having pains in breast when lying on my stomach (which is > > how I like to sleep). I DIDN'T have pains for most of September and > > October, but they have started and not let up since. Nothing > > serious, just enough to not allow me to go to sleep. Nurse > > practitioner at surgeon's office thinks it is healing, tissues > > shrinking after radiation.> > > > Anybody else with same symptoms? What info did you get?> > > > I am a widow with a 17 year old daughter. I try not to scare myself > > thinking about this stuff, but every ache and pain makes me wonder.> > I welcome all thoughts.> > > > Deborah> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >