Estrogen Blocker - Anastrozole

[Saintgermain]

Hello Teal Sisters,

This is an ongoing dilemma for me would appreciate your input and personal experience with estrogen blockers. My Gyno/Onc wants me to take the above 1mg for 2 years my Oncologist doesn't recommend it because there's no proven data behind it in my type, I'm 3B, Low Grade, Endometrioid had optimal debulking removed all cancer lymph nodes clear, complete response to Carbo/Taxol CA125 went from 4300 to 6. I have tried this particular blocker twice over the past 3 months and have stopped due to side effects has anyone used alternative meds with less side effects than this one I see my Gyno/Onc at the end of the month. I also have done extensive reading and diligently follow a low estrogen diet. Thanks a bunch!

[TeddyC]

I am taking Letrozole for breast cancer, I have since 2018. I was diagnosed with clear cell ovarian cancer last year, so unfortunately it didn’t stop this, but it could work for you, we are all different and respond differently to treatment.

[Saintgermain in reply to TeddyC]

Hi TeddyC,

So sorry to hear that it didn't stop the clear cell from occurring you are correct everyone reacts different I have a Friend that carries the BRACA gene took Letrozole when first diagnosed but didn't stop a reoccurrence she is 35 year survivor there is hope. . Did you have side effects with the Letrozole? Did they subside? I hope your doing well and wish you the best.

[TeddyC in reply to Saintgermain]

I do still have hot flushes. I had awful joint muscle and bone pain too, but they lessened after about 6 months. I wish you luck if you give it a try. Lots of people don’t suffer any side effects. I’m still having clear yearly mammograms so I’ll persevere with it as long as they let me.

[Saintgermain in reply to TeddyC]

Hi Teddy C,

I'm a little concerned because I have osteoarthritis but at present my bone scan is good. I'll see how it plays out 6 months is doable I hope you have many clear mammograms to come

[TeddyC in reply to Saintgermain]

I have osteoarthritis and osteopenia. I had very low vitamin D so take this daily. I missed a bone scan as It was due during the pandemic. I have one booked for the 5th May, hopefully it’ll be ok. My knees are giving me trouble at the moment, but I had several complications after ovarian cancer surgery and so I was less active for a long time, which hasn’t helped. Hopefully now I’m up and about my knees will improve.

[Saintgermain in reply to TeddyC]

Hi TeddyC.

I try to be diligent and take my Vitamin D every day I actually overdid it a little and had to cut it back some. Do you also take Calcium the Gyno/Onc said to take 1200 a day. I'm sorry to hear that you had complications after your cancer surgery Covid didn't help what an unexpected lifestyle change I used to swim but all that stopped I'm hoping that you'll be able to get out that Spring is on the horizon. Hugs

[TeddyC in reply to Saintgermain]

I don’t take Calcium, my GP said I didn’t need it and I get kidney stones, made from calcium. I’m hoping that the Vit D makes my body absorb the Calcium into my bones, where it’s meant to go! I hope that everything works out for you and sending squishy hugs to you too.

[SarahBa]

Hi Saintgermain, I know we have spoken before as we both have the same type of ovarian cancer (endometrioid epithelial). I can't help you with your question I'm sorry as I don't take an oestrogen blocker but I do wonder at what oestradiol level your gyno would be happy that your oestradiol levels were at?

Is your cancer oestrogen receptor positive? (mine is) If so then low oestrogen levels will be beneficial for you.

You say you follow a low oestogen diet and I wonder is it possible that you could get your oestradiol level checked so you can see how low it is naturally due to your diet?

I'm not sure in the UK what the various oestrogen blockers are and how they compare but I think they are more routinely prescribed for women recovering from breast cancer as opposed to ovarian cancer but I could be wrong. It may be worth you posting your question on a breast cancer forum too so you can see what could be prescribed to you in the states and what the side effects are likely to be. On the Macmillan breast cancer forum (in the UK) there is a very long and current thread regarding oestrogen blocking medication and the side effects.

I do wonder if you were able to maintain a low oestradiol level naturally due to your diet and exercise whether your gyno would be happy with this and then you wouldn't need the medication and then wouldn't have the nasty side effects either.

[Saintgermain in reply to SarahBa]

Hi SarahBa,

Thanks for touching base really appreciate it! Yes mine is oestrogen receptor positive. I'm going to check into getting my levels checked I brought this up to my Onc but she said that's its not an accurate gauge I don't totally agree with that I am going to seek out as we call in the states a functional medicine doctor to do that testing I'm on a waiting list to see a Woman who is also a physician that comes highly recommended.

Yes I agree mainstay for breast cancer there's studies for its use in OC but so far have been inconclusive. I'm all for doing everything natural thru diet and exercise our bodies have been thru enough. I'm recovering from a ventral hernia repair went very well a lovely side effect of the hysterectomy, I have a few more weeks of recovery then back to exercise so looking forward to it. How are you doing? I didn't thing of accessing breast cancer support sites I'm sure they have a lot of info on the subject. Thanks a bunch!

[TillyWinters]

HelloI am on Anastrozol too for the last 5 months,

My side effects are subsiding now and I feel a lot better. Next Scan in May worried in case it isn’t working.

[Saintgermain in reply to TillyWinters]

Hi Tilly Winters,

How long did it take for the side effects to subside? Please let me know how your scan goes you give me hope this journey is so nerve wracking at times.

[TillyWinters]

HelloI will.

There is a lot of side effects with Anastrozol as it lowers the oestrogen, the worst one was vaginal dryness if this side effect happens go to your GP

Straight away.

[Saintgermain in reply to TillyWinters]

Thank you for the tip did you gain weight or have hair loss with the med?

[TillyWinters in reply to Saintgermain]

No hair loss just gone very dry, use Schwarzkopf oil too put on. Yes I put a little bit of weight on, it’s coming off now.x

[Saintgermain in reply to TillyWinters]

Thanks Tilly really appreciate it the dryness makes sense no estrogen

[TillyWinters]

Sorry I forgot too say about 4 months, the swelling in my legs and feet are only just subsiding, but I’m fine now.x

[Saintgermain]

Hi Tilly,

I assume the swelling in your legs an feet were from the drug. I'm glad your feeling better but what a journey.