Guest guest Posted March 1, 2007 Report Share Posted March 1, 2007 So, , what do think about the ovaries being removed? I also understand that the adrenal glands also produce estrogen but I don't think we could live without those. That would be the only other source of estrogen that I am aware of. cbj1958@...> wrote: I take the Arimidex because I was told that it would stop the production of estrogen – which had fed my cancer. In the first 2 months I had hot flashes, but don’t anymore. I also had some joint pain, which is pretty much gone. The only concern I have is about bone density loss – but it’s worth it to me since there are medications that can help with that. I have heard of women having their ovaries removed instead of taking Arimidex or Femara – which again eliminates all estrogen production (so I’ve been told)…so I guess the goal is to prevent cancer from coming back by preventing any way for it to be fed – and even a little bit of estrogen can be dangerous. Arimedex I understand what the drug does. What I don't understand is I'm post menopausal and I've spoken to several women my age. Two declined Arimedex because they didn't like the possible side effects and told me that their hormone levels were decreased already and why increase the effects on bones and so on. Some one else (also post menapausal) told me she took it because her doctor told her too and if he told her to stand on her head and whistle Dixie to keep the cancer away she would. (this was a general opinion of others) My one daughter keeps harping on the side effects. My cousin told me that her friend declined Arimedex because of the side effects and her in-law started Arimedex and stopped after a year due to the side effects. She called me a " sheep " and that I should " take control " and stop being " herded " into something that's going to cause me so many problems.(she's very bossy but does always do her research before she put her 2 cents in) This is what is confusing me: If post menopausal women have low levels of hormones why do we need an even lower level? Does this make me even more prone to bone problems and other problems like infection, high cholesterol ect. then I normally would be? I admit I'm an " old bat " but until I got cancer I was a very healthy one. *I don't want to deal with another mistake like the one I was forced to accept when my insurance refered me to an oncologist who just started practiceing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2007 Report Share Posted March 1, 2007 Jan I already have my tubes tied, so having my ovaries removed to prevent a reoccurrence of cancer sounds like a good idea to me. The thing is, is that my insurance won’t pay for it, so I’d have to come into some money to get it done myself. Arimedex I understand what the drug does. What I don't understand is I'm post menopausal and I've spoken to several women my age. Two declined Arimedex because they didn't like the possible side effects and told me that their hormone levels were decreased already and why increase the effects on bones and so on. Some one else (also post menapausal) told me she took it because her doctor told her too and if he told her to stand on her head and whistle Dixie to keep the cancer away she would. (this was a general opinion of others) My one daughter keeps harping on the side effects. My cousin told me that her friend declined Arimedex because of the side effects and her in-law started Arimedex and stopped after a year due to the side effects. She called me a " sheep " and that I should " take control " and stop being " herded " into something that's going to cause me so many problems.(she's very bossy but does always do her research before she put her 2 cents in) This is what is confusing me: If post menopausal women have low levels of hormones why do we need an even lower level? Does this make me even more prone to bone problems and other problems like infection, high cholesterol ect. then I normally would be? I admit I'm an " old bat " but until I got cancer I was a very healthy one. *I don't want to deal with another mistake like the one I was forced to accept when my insurance refered me to an oncologist who just started practiceing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2007 Report Share Posted March 1, 2007 Oh, also – I’d never been told about the adrenal glands. I learn something new everyday. Arimedex I understand what the drug does. What I don't understand is I'm post menopausal and I've spoken to several women my age. Two declined Arimedex because they didn't like the possible side effects and told me that their hormone levels were decreased already and why increase the effects on bones and so on. Some one else (also post menapausal) told me she took it because her doctor told her too and if he told her to stand on her head and whistle Dixie to keep the cancer away she would. (this was a general opinion of others) My one daughter keeps harping on the side effects. My cousin told me that her friend declined Arimedex because of the side effects and her in-law started Arimedex and stopped after a year due to the side effects. She called me a " sheep " and that I should " take control " and stop being " herded " into something that's going to cause me so many problems.(she's very bossy but does always do her research before she put her 2 cents in) This is what is confusing me: If post menopausal women have low levels of hormones why do we need an even lower level? Does this make me even more prone to bone problems and other problems like infection, high cholesterol ect. then I normally would be? I admit I'm an " old bat " but until I got cancer I was a very healthy one. *I don't want to deal with another mistake like the one I was forced to accept when my insurance refered me to an oncologist who just started practiceing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2007 Report Share Posted March 1, 2007 I had a partial hysterectomy back in 1984. I wish that at that time the gynocologist had taken the ovaries, too. I may investigate this with my doctor I see on Tuesday. If it is standard of care, I think it could be paid for. Guess we will see. cbj1958@...> wrote: Oh, also – I’d never been told about the adrenal glands. I learn something new everyday. Arimedex I understand what the drug does. What I don't understand is I'm post menopausal and I've spoken to several women my age. Two declined Arimedex because they didn't like the possible side effects and told me that their hormone levels were decreased already and why increase the effects on bones and so on. Some one else (also post menapausal) told me she took it because her doctor told her too and if he told her to stand on her head and whistle Dixie to keep the cancer away she would. (this was a general opinion of others) My one daughter keeps harping on the side effects. My cousin told me that her friend declined Arimedex because of the side effects and her in-law started Arimedex and stopped after a year due to the side effects. She called me a " sheep " and that I should " take control " and stop being " herded " into something that's going to cause me so many problems.(she's very bossy but does always do her research before she put her 2 cents in) This is what is confusing me: If post menopausal women have low levels of hormones why do we need an even lower level? Does this make me even more prone to bone problems and other problems like infection, high cholesterol ect. then I normally would be? I admit I'm an " old bat " but until I got cancer I was a very healthy one. *I don't want to deal with another mistake like the one I was forced to accept when my insurance refered me to an oncologist who just started practiceing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 Hi jan, i just had my ovaries removed for prevention, i don't know how your insurance work but mine cover everything my oncologist want to do, that he suggest you to do that or is that your idea, in my case i told my ginecologist when i was ready for a mastectomy so, him and my surgeon contact and do that toghether, try to get your oncologist something that support that as a part of treatment and maybe that way they cover you that, is not there are finacial sources that help you directly and other that talk to your insurance and help you if you can't affort it, you could ask the American Cancer society for all those numbers and direccions, i hope that help you. Godd luck, Anggy. --------------------------------- Never miss an email again! Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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