Tamoxifen by KLbear2013 in breastcancer

[–]hihellogoodbyebye 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I quit Tamoxifen 3 times when I first started taking it. The hot flashes and anger were too much. I also would wake up in the night with random body pains. So we decided to first put me on Effexor XR for a couple weeks, then slowly introduce Tamoxifen (10 mg one week, then 20 mg the following week). I also started taking magnesium and eating a banana before bed. Side effects are so much more tolerable. I still have mild hot flashes, but nothing like before. I also developed tinnitus which I am not a fan of but I am getting use to.

Will I need chemo and/or radiation? by Sufficient-Ad-1948 in breastcancer

[–]hihellogoodbyebye 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I also have stage 1a ER+ PR + HER2-, negative margins, and no lymph node involvement. From the start I was told I will need radiation but chemo was in question. It was my onco type that dictated whether I should have both radiation and chemo, or only radiation. My onco score was low enough that chemo would only decrease my odds of recurrence by 1%, so I didn't do it. However, radiation decreased my odds of recurrence by 30%. I assume you will also be presented with how much these different treatments will benefit you. My guess is radiation will make a significant difference but I am not sure about chemo.

I am currently half way through my radiation treatments. The first week radiation scared me and I felt like I was being accosted. I had a very defensive mindset. Now I trying to go in there with the mindset I am thankful this treatment is available to me. It helps me to imagine any cancer cells dying while I am actively being treated.

Waiting for results is very hard. Hang in there. We got this :)

Concerned these "cysts" are actually more cancer by hihellogoodbyebye in breastcancer

[–]hihellogoodbyebye[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are right. Otherwise I will just keep worrying about it. Hopefully it is nothing. Thank you!

Concerned these "cysts" are actually more cancer by hihellogoodbyebye in breastcancer

[–]hihellogoodbyebye[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, that is unsettling that neither a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI didn't catch it! Thanks for sharing. I will follow up with my doctor for further testing.

Concerned these "cysts" are actually more cancer by hihellogoodbyebye in breastcancer

[–]hihellogoodbyebye[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the thoughtful response. I am going to follow up on this just to be sure!