I have a follow up with my oncologist next week. I met with a naturopath that made it sound like I am going to die from uterine cancer basically. Is there a natural alternative to hormonal therapy or is tamoxifen the best I can get?
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Q: I am 38 on tamoxifen and have been on it for 2 months now.
Answers (4)
10/30/09 5:13pm
Tamoxifen is probably the best thing you can do for yourself - I don't believe there's any hard data that natural remedies are as effective or do as good a job as tamoxifen. And the chance of your getting uterine cancer from tamoxifen is, I believe, somewhere around 1% or less - not a significant chance. Please ask your doctor for the specific statistics aorund your diagnosis, OK? Of course, it's your body and your decision; I just hope you have good facts on which to base that decision. Good luck - PJH
10/31/09 5:04am
Good morning Floydwarrior, look there is as PJ says a slight risk of uterine cancer. Your doctors know this and will be giving you regular check ups. I took Tamoxifen for five years....had more surgery and was told by my Onc. to take Femara could not cope with it and tried Aromasin same problem with the joints. I am now back on Tamoxifen.
I think we would all prefer the natural way. However, to my knowledge there is no 'natural' way to control the lowering of eostrogen in the body. We need these to help the cancer from returning. I have nothing against naturopaths and if I had a skin problem or some minor ailment I would maybe go to them....But when it comes to Cancer there is no room for mistakes...When your oncologist tells you to take Tamoxifen it is for your own benefit...
I went through my worst time when the actor Patrick Swayze had just been diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. I watched his interview with Barbra Walters . He said something that has stuck with me...Barbra asked him a question about natural remedies and had he tried anything...He said if there was anything out there better than chemo...you would be 1. very Rich...and 2. Very famous....Until then Just 'Shut Up'...
Naturopath has its place...but not when it comes to Tamoxifen...take that little pill once a day and forget about it. Enjoy your life...or I shall have to start calling you...'FloydWorrier...Happy Halloween.
1/ 8/10 7:34pm
Hi Floydwarrior,
My name is Mary Davis and I have been on Tamoxifen since Sept last year and I have been experiencing the hot flashes from day one, and i am also on herceptin, double hot flashes. My doctor told me since I am getting hot flashes, that means that my body is accepting the medication, which gives us both hope that the cancer will not occur. I am taking Efferex, 150 mg, and it helps but does not relieve all of the hot flashes, not as bad as it was in the beginning. I will try the Vit E tablets to see if that works better. Hope all goes well with you. Take care and do not worry. Just follow your doctors order and they will make sure that you are taken care of. We all have been through what you are going through, so good luck and we are here for you.
Mary
1/18/10 11:23am
Floydwarrior.
I'm also 38 and started Tamoxifen a month ago. Would love to speak to you further about your experience. Please let me know if your're interested/
Be Well,
m
1/18/10 5:07pm
M.-
SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY!!! SOmeone answered my question today prompting me to look at the original site and I saw your e-mail. Thank you!!!
My body has been getting used to tamoxifen and my hot flashes have eased up. Insomnia is wicked...but breast cancer and chemo was worse for sure!
I'd love to talk to you- more of 'about me' is on my Floydwarriors.com website I was inspired to create after being diagnosed. My contact info is on there as well...
Hope you are doing ok and please be in touch!
Lisa
1/18/10 7:11pm
I was on tamoxifen and Zoladex at 38 years old. It was hard I had insomia so bad I had to take ambien for a while I had joint so bad. I finished my zoladex ,but after having surgery to remove a uterine tumor (not cancer)I called it quits after about 2 1/2 years on tamoxifen. I made a choice and took chance I am going into my 7th year cancer free .
peace out Barb good luck
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THANKS PJH!!!
I have calmed down about the pill and my hot flashes have eased. INSOMNIA is no fun....but better than the alt.
Love,
Lisa