Stupid Question ?

[Anita-B]

Ladies I have been told I am Er+ and Hr2+, and will receive Herceptin. But what about Tamoxifen ? Is it a case of one or the other? Or the one they feel best fits your cancer. I feel this may be a stupid question but wanted to ask thanks.

[Abcdefghijkl60]

Hi Anita , I think it's down to the individual, weather you are in the menopause , I have done six years on tomoxfin, and if blood tests say I am post menapause next month , they will put me on another drug ,take care ,,Kate x

[Jowigs]

I was the same diagnosis and had chemo, herceptin and am now on tamoxifen for 10 years. They didn't start tamoxifen until the chemo was finished. Good luck with everything.

[Hidden]

It depends if you are pre or post menopausal. Ask your oncologist.

[Debs1962]

Hi the girl who was in hospital with me having our mastectomy was also her2+ and ER+ she had herceptin injections for a year, and is now on letrozole, they give tamoxifen or letrozole when you are ER+ one is pre menopausal the other post menopausa, so it will depend on what you are.

Hope that makes sense xx

[Louisejr]

Hi I am pre menopause and I have to have Zoladex injections for two years to put my ovaries to sleep and letrozole for 5 years. Xx

[Mandywilson]

Hi .. For a start no question on this site is stupid X we all have worried or questions ... I would only think they would give you what is best for you .. Next time you see some one or contact your breast cancer nurse , ask the question . Xx

[Hidden]

My first cancer was pre menopaus and hr+ so given herceptin. My recent one 8 years later was est+ so now on tamoxifen sorry this doesnt really help, but hope you get some answers soon

Hope you feel well too x

[Hedgesaw]

I received a similar diagnosis but was told I would need hormone drugs and Herceptin. The Herceptin started during chemotherapy. Like a lot of people on this site I had two types of chemo FEC for 3 sessions & T for 3 sessions. Herceptin started alongside the T because the drug was incompatible with T. Hormone tablets came later on once chemo finished but I carried on having Herceptin for the full year (18 injections at 3 weekly intervals). When my oncologist started talking about hormone tablets he had said I would most likely get Anastrazole because I was post menopausal. My registrar then said blood tests showed I was still not through the menopause so she would prescribe Tamoxifen for me. When it came to the day of decision my oncologist consultant announced he wanted me on Anastrazole regardless of the blood test because of my age & the fact that I felt I had gone through the menopause & had not bled for over 2 years. I have had no further problems regarding menopause even though I had 1 small bleed after starting the Anastrazole tablets. Oncologist said a one off was fine but I would need to see a gynaecologist if I continued to have periods to end my menopause because he was keen to keep me on Anastrazole as he decided that was best for me to prevent cancer developing again. As usual with this treatment it is "one step at a time". Hope you get a drug that suits you. X

[Debster2016 in reply to Hedgesaw]

So informative and honest thank you hedgesaw x

[mags4]

Hi i also was er+pr-and herr2+ihad chemo then operation radiotherapy getting herceptin injections last one this week!!and i am on tamoxifen for five years as iwas pre menopausal like the other ladies said it all depends if you are pre or post menapausal.By the way no question is stupid we all have been thru it ,its a lot to cope with ,you will have a liason breast care nurse so make sure to ask her any questions.Take care 💗

[Debster2016]

Hi AnitaB as per previous reply no question is stupid, I'm forever asking - and often the same question which occurrs to me in a different way and more than once! - Of my surgeon and bc nurse.

I'm Er+and Hr2- so am not going to receive herceptin so can't confirm but is a valid question so do keep asking til it's answered. For me to understand helps keep me calm. I may not be in control but feel better for knowing why specific treatment is advised.

Wishing you well xx

[Hidden]

Hi there,

I am also ER+ and HER2+ , I had no lymph node involvement so wouldn't normally have had chemo , however due to the HER2+ status tomorrow I will be having no 11 of 12 weekly Paclitaxol chemo , last one due next week. As everyone else there are also 18 herceptin injections, every three weeks , which run alongside this treatment (I've had 4 injections so far) and then continue on their own.

I saw my oncologist last week and she prescribed Tamoxifen , which she says I will probably take for 10 years, (i start that two weeks after chemo finishes)I will have a blood test three weeks into taking it to see if I need further injections (zoladex ? ) to shut off my ovaries. I am 51 and was still having periods (sporadically) before my chemo , but the chemo has hurtled me into the menopause so am not expecting any more from now on

The weekly chemo means the side effects are not as bad, however it does mean weekly blood tests , treatment etc which if you don't live near can be hard going !

Good luck with your treatment

Jo x

[Hidden]

Others have already given the answer so I will just say all the best.