Anyone here taking Raloxifene?

[Lula16]

Research, research, research. I'm not currently forcing myself to take hormone therapy - as research seems to only be "within one year" - not the within "6 wks" that my doc suggested. Hmm. Why 6 wks? After 6 wks (post chemo, post radiation), we start to feel "normal" and may choose to NOT take any tamoxifin or aromatase inhibitor. So, I said, "I want to feel normal, be normal, reset my body."

As I research, I've come to realize a heck of a lot - that so many of these drugs cause side effects that really suck and lead to depression, weight gain, pain, etc. But, hey, they help you fight cancer, right? So, deal with it? Nah, research more!

I've found in on the NIH site info re: Raloxifene. Originally doled out to those who would suffer osteoporosis, studies have placed Tamoxifen and Raloxifene side by side. Results? Comparable - and, Raloxifene seems to have fewer adverse side effects - including fewer women diagnosed with uterine cancer.

So, anyone on Raloxifene? What have you discovered?

Thanks!

[SuePS1958]

Hi Lula, sorry I do not take raloxifene. Mine was HER2 positive so I had Herceptin. However, I am in touch with lots of others who do take Tamoxifen/Anastrasole/Letrosole. Although they would prefer not to take any medication I regularly hear that discussions with the oncologists clarify the benefits in terms of reduced risk of recurrence. None of my friends have stopped taking these medications even with the side effects which are very individual. However many have found ways to ease the side effects and make them liveable with. take care xx

[Hidden]

I don't know anyone who has been prescribed Raloxifene, I know lots of women on Tamoxifen or AI's, myself included, and most people , myself included don't suffer from side effects - apart from the menopausal flushes and sweats , but that's the tablets doing their job and reducing the amount of oestrogen being produced so not a side effect- I started taking mine in January and my last blood test was July and my oestrogen level was very low , which is just what they are designed to do, I had already had a chemically induced menopause due to the chemo , so I can't totally blame the Tamoxifen for the flushes etc.

I'm not sure how much Raloxifen is used to treat breast cancer, it seems to be a preventative one rather than a treatment?

Jo x

[haagr]

I'm in the US and was offered raloxifene after a lumpectomy and radiation my ER +, stage 0, grade 3 DCIS. The oncologist felt that for me the AIs had too many side effects and that Tamoxifen was not too risky as I have GYN issues. After doing research on Raloxifene I declined taking it. Given my vascular and blood pressure history, the risk of deep vein thrombosis and stroke are mathematically more significant and present the possibility of life altering devastating diagnoses than a breast cancer recurrence.

My intent is to enjoy my life, not become chronically ill or perhaps die from a treatment that will only reduce recurrence by 2%. My GP, oncologist and Breast surgeon are not at all pushing me to take Raloxifene.

R in NYC