A discussion for the board..estrogen, osteo and cancer (long)X-Post
Hi Everyone,
This is my situation, I had a complete hysterectomy 9/09. I did not want to start estrogen replacement but did because according to the Hess manual-women who go into surgical menopause it will to help prevent any osteo issues, since we already supplement. I was 44 at the time.
My older sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at 38, she did the lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. A second diagnosis in opposite breast 8 years later, lumpectomy, radiation, and tamoxifen. A year later Jan 2011, she has a complete hysterectomy due to bleeding. In the operating room it is discovered she has uterine cancer. The pathology on the ovaries is negative but some cancer cell are discovered in the cervix. She has just completed another round of radiation. Her medical team stated that the uterine/cervical cancer was linked to tamoxifen use. (Clinical trials show 1-2 of every 1,000 women will develop uterine cancer).
Back to me, I was at the Gyn for my annual 3 weeks ago and I update her as to my sister's condition as I do every year. This time she thinks I should consider stopping the estrogen patch. I explained the only reason I went on to begin with (Hess, WLS, osteo). She understands but feels with my sister current situation we need to re-evaluate. She would like me to speak to my GP as there are osteo drugs that can be taken to help protect my bones. I do work out twice a week with weights and resistance training. My labs have been OK.
Yesterday I found out my sister has had an abnormality show up on her yearly mammo. We are hoping it is scar tissue from a previous cancer surgery. A MRI is scheduled for June. I am tempted to just quite cold turkey.
If you held on this long, I really appreciate it. I am hoping/not hoping someone else has had this situation.
Dot
From the States-residing in Canada Temporarily
This is my situation, I had a complete hysterectomy 9/09. I did not want to start estrogen replacement but did because according to the Hess manual-women who go into surgical menopause it will to help prevent any osteo issues, since we already supplement. I was 44 at the time.
My older sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at 38, she did the lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. A second diagnosis in opposite breast 8 years later, lumpectomy, radiation, and tamoxifen. A year later Jan 2011, she has a complete hysterectomy due to bleeding. In the operating room it is discovered she has uterine cancer. The pathology on the ovaries is negative but some cancer cell are discovered in the cervix. She has just completed another round of radiation. Her medical team stated that the uterine/cervical cancer was linked to tamoxifen use. (Clinical trials show 1-2 of every 1,000 women will develop uterine cancer).
Back to me, I was at the Gyn for my annual 3 weeks ago and I update her as to my sister's condition as I do every year. This time she thinks I should consider stopping the estrogen patch. I explained the only reason I went on to begin with (Hess, WLS, osteo). She understands but feels with my sister current situation we need to re-evaluate. She would like me to speak to my GP as there are osteo drugs that can be taken to help protect my bones. I do work out twice a week with weights and resistance training. My labs have been OK.
Yesterday I found out my sister has had an abnormality show up on her yearly mammo. We are hoping it is scar tissue from a previous cancer surgery. A MRI is scheduled for June. I am tempted to just quite cold turkey.
If you held on this long, I really appreciate it. I am hoping/not hoping someone else has had this situation.
Dot
From the States-residing in Canada Temporarily
Hugs to you - I can't contribute as I have NO knowledge about this, but know it has to be very hard for you - both for your sister and what could be in the future for you.
I hope someone chimes in that has some experience with this.
I hope someone chimes in that has some experience with this.
HW-218/SW-208/CW-126/ Lowest Weight-121/Goal-125 - hit 8/23/09/Height-5'3"
Regain 30 lbs from 2012 to 2016 - got back on track and lost it. Took 8 months.
90+/- pounds lost BMI - 24 or so
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
Hi Dot,
I'm on estrogen along with Fosamax for osteoporosis and have had a hysti recently. All we've managed to do is stop the bone loss and ease a few of my post menopausal issues. I get annual screenings for all the GYN related stuff and a dexa scan for bone density once a year. There is no cancer history on either side of the family but they always ask. I have a feeling they will continue to monitor you closely since your sister is dealing with cancer and I'm so sorry she is going through it. Perhaps a wise move would be to see how you do without the estrogen but I'd definitely be asking for routine dexa scans for bone loss. I keep my calcium, PTH (parathyroid), vitamin D3, magnesium and potassium at optimal levels according to Vitalady's recommendations and my GYN and PCP are exceedingly pleased with my labs. I think that's what I would recommend too, get on something like Vitalady's DS plan and monitor your labs and keep those levels at optimal levels. Please keep us posted and good luck.
--gina
www.gblcreations.com/Resources/Gina/VitaLadysLabsandTargets_ 11-2009.doc
www.gblcreations.com/Resources/Gina/ProgramDRNY_ERNY_BPDDS3- 2010.pdf
I'm on estrogen along with Fosamax for osteoporosis and have had a hysti recently. All we've managed to do is stop the bone loss and ease a few of my post menopausal issues. I get annual screenings for all the GYN related stuff and a dexa scan for bone density once a year. There is no cancer history on either side of the family but they always ask. I have a feeling they will continue to monitor you closely since your sister is dealing with cancer and I'm so sorry she is going through it. Perhaps a wise move would be to see how you do without the estrogen but I'd definitely be asking for routine dexa scans for bone loss. I keep my calcium, PTH (parathyroid), vitamin D3, magnesium and potassium at optimal levels according to Vitalady's recommendations and my GYN and PCP are exceedingly pleased with my labs. I think that's what I would recommend too, get on something like Vitalady's DS plan and monitor your labs and keep those levels at optimal levels. Please keep us posted and good luck.
--gina
www.gblcreations.com/Resources/Gina/VitaLadysLabsandTargets_ 11-2009.doc
www.gblcreations.com/Resources/Gina/ProgramDRNY_ERNY_BPDDS3- 2010.pdf
5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
DS on Aug 9, 2007 with Dr. Hazem Elariny
I am on Vitalady's vitamin plan. I will review my last set of labs to see where there are with VL targets. I will be getting some others done as well soon. I'm going back to the states end of June. I will see if I can get dexascan then.
What are the side effects of foxamax? Is this a monthly or daily med?
Dot
What are the side effects of foxamax? Is this a monthly or daily med?
Dot
mini - me described the symptoms well but she left out some potential serious ones for us. You must take it first thing in the morning, an hour before any foods, liquids or medications and you must remain upright for that hour. If you dont' remain upright, it will cause esophageal ulcers and other esophageal problems as well as gastric ulcers.
a much better option is reclast - it is a once per year IV - the main side effect is a flu like symptoms for a day or 2 but you are done for a year and it is supposed to work better than fosamax. You don't have to remember to take the pills either daily or weekly. I know several people on it and they had no side effects. I know my Endocrinologist told me that when I need it, that is what she will put me on
a much better option is reclast - it is a once per year IV - the main side effect is a flu like symptoms for a day or 2 but you are done for a year and it is supposed to work better than fosamax. You don't have to remember to take the pills either daily or weekly. I know several people on it and they had no side effects. I know my Endocrinologist told me that when I need it, that is what she will put me on
(deactivated member)
on 5/25/11 3:15 am, edited 5/25/11 3:29 am
on 5/25/11 3:15 am, edited 5/25/11 3:29 am
Just FYI Tamoxifen is an estrogen BLOCKER so her problems were not caused by excess circulating estrogen ....
That said I myself think that excess estrogen is VERY dangerous ..probably more so than tamoxifen which is a proven danger . Ive been on 10 mg of tamoxifen forever because i have excess natural estrogen myself and had a lumpectomy very very early caused by those elevated hormone levels .
I totally understand your fear .
Where I come down on this one ( and my own personal choice is a DIFFICULT one as tamoxifen taken over five years is proven to cause inoperable liver cancers etc ... ) is what makes U feel WELL ?
I feel like Ch...t without t he tamoxifen. My breasts swell up like basketballs , are ridiculously tender to the touch and i virtually cant get out of bed or stop eating lol . Basically my body reacts as if it got pregnant .
So in order to function I take my medicine . If U feel BETTER with the synthetic (or bioidentical ) estrogen take it .. but i would try a smaller safer dose . I was originally prescribed 40 !!! milligrams which i cut down to 20 then 10 , then 5 and now im back to 10 . I also periodically take holidays even though I HATE them... and sauna / furo ( japanese hot bath ) /hot yoga regularly to detoxify my body .
I sweat those poisons out !
((((()))))) keep on truckin' Sister
Big Hugs ( and a good luck kiss hug and prayer for UR sister )
Incidentally I would advise her also to sweat the poisons out as much as she possibly can ... get in the sun as much as possible and sweat sweat sweat . Ive had multiple friends put and keep them selves into remissions from deadly cancer this way and theyre still here and kicking ( and working and being a pain in th a..zz)
years later
That said I myself think that excess estrogen is VERY dangerous ..probably more so than tamoxifen which is a proven danger . Ive been on 10 mg of tamoxifen forever because i have excess natural estrogen myself and had a lumpectomy very very early caused by those elevated hormone levels .
I totally understand your fear .
Where I come down on this one ( and my own personal choice is a DIFFICULT one as tamoxifen taken over five years is proven to cause inoperable liver cancers etc ... ) is what makes U feel WELL ?
I feel like Ch...t without t he tamoxifen. My breasts swell up like basketballs , are ridiculously tender to the touch and i virtually cant get out of bed or stop eating lol . Basically my body reacts as if it got pregnant .
So in order to function I take my medicine . If U feel BETTER with the synthetic (or bioidentical ) estrogen take it .. but i would try a smaller safer dose . I was originally prescribed 40 !!! milligrams which i cut down to 20 then 10 , then 5 and now im back to 10 . I also periodically take holidays even though I HATE them... and sauna / furo ( japanese hot bath ) /hot yoga regularly to detoxify my body .
I sweat those poisons out !
((((()))))) keep on truckin' Sister
Big Hugs ( and a good luck kiss hug and prayer for UR sister ) Incidentally I would advise her also to sweat the poisons out as much as she possibly can ... get in the sun as much as possible and sweat sweat sweat . Ive had multiple friends put and keep them selves into remissions from deadly cancer this way and theyre still here and kicking ( and working and being a pain in th a..zz)
years later She took the drug becasue her cancer was identified as estrogen positive receptors. She did not take the drug after her first episode because she was uncomfortable with it. After the second episode there was a lot of pressure to use it and since she now has a 10yr old daughter, she of course wants to make sure she is here for as long as possible.
Dot
Dot
(deactivated member)
on 5/25/11 3:23 am
on 5/25/11 3:23 am
The side effects of fossamax ( made with phosphorus ) or its relative alendronate sodium are potentially VERY serious ones .
NEVER take either without taking citracal three times a day as they can draw calcium FROM your bones and jaw and teeth .
be careful about the dosage ( less can be more )
the worst potential side effect is the uncontrolled wasting of the jaw and the loss of the teeth through phosphorus poisoning . I have seen a few such cases . VERY scary .
BUT ...thats not to say Ure goingto get it or U shouldnt take fossamax. Basically its a great tool to restore bone density in those women who have fragile bones . If yourposture slumps over you probably need it . Just dont take too much - take holidays - and take Ur citracal !
NEVER take either without taking citracal three times a day as they can draw calcium FROM your bones and jaw and teeth .
be careful about the dosage ( less can be more )
the worst potential side effect is the uncontrolled wasting of the jaw and the loss of the teeth through phosphorus poisoning . I have seen a few such cases . VERY scary .
BUT ...thats not to say Ure goingto get it or U shouldnt take fossamax. Basically its a great tool to restore bone density in those women who have fragile bones . If yourposture slumps over you probably need it . Just dont take too much - take holidays - and take Ur citracal !
Most Active
Recent Topics
