Side Effects of Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer: What You Need to Know!

[@sjeffords9303]

I’m on an aromatase inhibitor, and my side effects have been minimal. So thankful for the med and that I’ve had a good response.

[@yerbba]

We're glad to hear that you're experiencing minimal side effects and that the medication is working well for you. Thank you for watching.

[@michelleperdue7979]

Thanks so much! Early breast cancer here. Started radiation this week after lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. Very helpful information and your voice pitch is so soothing and calming! Subscribed right away. Keep up the good work.

[@yerbba]

We appreciate your kind words and we're glad to hear that you found our videos helpful. Thank you for subscribing, and if you ever have more questions or topics you'd like us to explore, feel free to let us know.

[@topicsincriticalthinkingdy9351]

Hi, I've just had my lumpectomy and will have radiation as well. Do they plan to put you on Tamoxifen or something other, as well?

[@peterlawrence6815]

Michelle that's me I'm female and a breast cancer survivor one or two months of five years . I've put up with the.side affects .because I want to live . End of March I'm having a party

[@jamestojoinujkkhpuddle1897]

P🎉​@@yerbba

[@juaquiene7726]

Have noticed several video's have been devoted to encouraging breast cancer patients to follow the advice of their doctors. & take the assigned Aromatase inhibitors/ Hormonal/ endocrine therapies. Whatever you may wish to call it. I feel it's been a tough sale on account of the many bad side effects. Coupled with the fact it's as bad as Chemo therapy. Along with the fact it's adviced to take for 10 years. What a shame a real therapy can't be created that offers recurrence protection without all those awful side effects. That so many can't tolerate. What's disturbing Tomoxifen has been out there for 30 + years. Yet it is as bad as it's always been. Will there ever be hope in sight for a better treatment?

[@same5952]

I hear ya sister! Don't hold your breath for a better treatment to come along any time soon.

[@yerbba]

You raise such good points. As a medical site, we do tend to favor treatments that have been shown in thousands of people to decrease recurrence. We do care about side effects and quality of life, however! What good is living if one feels like garbage? While these medications have side effects and those can be severe in some people, they are tolerated by the majority of people. The link between endocrine therapy and breast cancer treatment was first discovered in the late 1800's when women with advanced breast cancer had their ovaries removed and went into remission. After that, the adrenal glands (another source of estrogen) were removed and women again had a response to that surgery but had terrible effects from the loss of the adrenals. So perhaps we have come a long way. The original doses of tamoxifen were much higher and much more "morbid" (made people sicker). We are always trying to do better by our patients in terms of the risk-benefit profile. We share your frustration that we're not doing better.

[@Itwillbeso]

Ha, well too much money is being made on side effect meds for those who take hormone blockers and try to survive them. Follow the money.

[@lindajones4849]

Hi Juaquinine, I agree with you and I don't expect there will be a better med any time soon - too much money to be made by the current system. The fact that 30- 50 % of women stop or never start aromatase inhibitors is not enough to stop using the drug .Now if some women tolerate the standard doses then fine but that's no help to the rest of us and there are no good or universally effective treatment for those effects. For me so far 2 rounds of IV Reclast he's not helped the bone loss from needing to stop hormone replacement AND have a mastectomy and chemo therapy. Do NOT assume your bone loss will reverse with treatment, mine has not AND I have side effects of significant joint pain. As for side effects , I was told by my first oncology team to ,just stop. So I did , and the physical /emotional side effects were overwhelming(crying, raging insomnia , muscle tremors , suicidal ideation, constant fear during my every waking moment). I asked for help from several different medical ' professionals'. I didn't get any. Totally ignored, stared at. A humiliating experience. Out of desperation I looked for an acupuncturist who understood what I was going through and was able give me herbs to alleviate the symptoms. I have politely declined aromatase inhibitors because I already have many of the side effects without even being on the drug. Fortunately I have a tolerant oncologist who asked if I would allow him to monitor my progress with diagnostic imaging and I agreed . Let me emphasize that my current oncologist is unfailing and attentive- I like him very much . BUT he has no idea how to help with the severe side effects of a medically induced menopause . You should be aware that this is very common, even obgyns may get no training in managing menopause. Menopause management is aSEVERELY neglected aspect of women's health. To be very blunt , cancer treatment inflicts alot of collateral damage and you will be lucky if you get any help managing the symptoms. Let me be clear that as of now I have osteoporosis in my spine and hip and Reclast has not helped( so far). I know people who have had heart attacks on chemo or have late cardiac side effects ( she needs a heart transplant) from doxorubicin .Some oncologists think that their only duty is to attack the cancer as aggressively as s possible and let the collateral damage fall where it may. My former oncologist was going to give me ,4 cycles of doxorubicin 2 weeks apart and monitor with an echocardiogram before starting and after the 4 the treatment. To state the obvious, what if I sustain heart damage after the second or third treatment? Many oncologist are way to cavalier about the toxicity of the drugs they order . Because they are highly stressed I have met many nurses and doctors who would rather you keep your suffering to yourself.

[@lindajones4849]

One more thing- when doctors say a drug is well tolerated they mean something different than what you think. They mean it won't kill you outright or put you in the hospital. Er...except that one of my first cardiac rehab patients was a 40 year old woman who collapsed from cardiomyopathy induced by doxorubicin.sShe was normal weight, downhiiskier, now in need of a heart transplant. So because some people benefit from these drugs, the people who die or are forever damaged are written off with a " sometimes this happens"

[@naththomas9946]

Thank you, Dr. Griggs, for your continuous support for breast cancer (health).

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching. Yerbba appreciates all of the support!

[@hilka73]

First: thanks for the informative videos you make. It has helped me tremendously! You didn't mention the psychological side effects from tamoxifen... I feel like I have constant extreme PMS with mood swings and irritability... and my poor family has to cope with me.. and after an outburst, I'm just so sad..😢

[@yerbba]

We're delighted to hear that our videos have been helpful to you. We're here to provide support and information.The psychological side effects you're experiencing with tamoxifen can indeed be challenging. Mood swings and irritability are known side effects, and it's important to communicate these feelings with your healthcare provider. They may be able to adjust your treatment or offer strategies to manage these symptoms. Remember, you're not alone in facing these challenges, and your family's support is invaluable. Stay tuned for a future video about this important topic!

[@lindajones4849]

Dear Yerba: so you think oncologists are doing better because they used to remove women's adrenal glands ??? In other words it could be worse and we should be glad we are no longer being subjected to another procedure??? Now are you and other oncologists "frustrated" enough to learn how to control the se vere medical menopause you feel free to induce? Oh, I informed my so called " team" about the severe debilitating symptoms I had when they told me to "just stop" my hormone replacement. I knewan aromatase inhibitor would duplicate the Symptoms and so I politely refused. I knew they would expect me to just tough out the symptoms and after chemo I just wasn't up to it. I went with acupuncture and a low glycemic diet and for the last two years am doing well( no cancer). Oh, but trying to compensate for the.memory loss .you should listen to some of Dr. Liz Oriorden s posts- she was a breast surgeon and is now abreast cancer patient. She frankly admits she had no clue what it was like to be a cancer patient.

[@carolbraswell4488]

I'm very concerned about doing hormone therapy. I think its just to hard on our bodies. I'm just not sure I want to do this. I'm 65 and don't want to go through menopause again!!

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching and sharing your concerns about starting hormonal therapy with the Yerbba community. It's entirely understandable that you might be hesitant of going through menopause again. Remember that endocrine therapy does not actually cause menopause. Many people tolerate hormonal therapy very well (the majority). One thing that many people do is try the drug for 3 to 4 months before making a decision about its long-term use. It may also be helpful to ask your medical team about the extent of benefit from endocrine therapy. That is, is there a small benefit? or a large benefit? We encourage you to have an open and honest conversation with your medical team to ensure you make an informed decision that aligns with your preferences and goals.

[@jennieosborne3530]

I decided no hormonal thearpy I know my body I will not be able to tolerate it. I have intolerance to medications with the side effects. Then I can't tolerate conventional treatment. I'm not a winer 😢 but I can't tolerate medication.

[@L-ash777]

It is has caused spinal damage which is not reversible. Don’t take it

[@L-ash777]

@@yerbba3 or 4 months I was fine, it’s when it really hooked in it was too debilitating. No more

[@judithsixkiller5586]

​@@yerbbaThank you for providing more information than my cytologist,both of my surgeons and my GP combined. All that I've been told is to exercise switch to decafe and avoid chocolate . I've previously been taking inderal,furosemide ,potassium and omega 3 for my hbp, vascular ,arthritis ut and skin issues that have greatly worsened in my first 3 months on Femara. I'm constantly swinging between freezing and burning up. My arthritis ,weakness and fatigue are worse than ever before,ibuprofen no longer helps and I can't sleep more than an hour or 2 at a time. My GP just prescribed lipitor but I'm terriffied to take it due to possible drug interaction/ medication complications, especially since I had a brief episode of profound blindness from a heat stroke about 5 years ago,and I have to use drops to prevent further irreversible corneal swelling . I bruise or bleed quite easily. I've tried talking about this to every single one of my doctor's but ftankly they don't seem to remember much of my history and don't take my concerns and symptoms seriously.

[@monalisagorai9113]

Please share the treatment options for breast cancer moving to lymph node cancer.

[@yerbba]

Thank you! Please check out our videos on how to treat Stage II (2) breast cancer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoO2daONaL-fm8U and how to treat Stage III (3) breast cancer:kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYTdeohvadKGhpI

[@PamAnderson-wj8rb]

I had to stop hormone blockers because it effected my brain function and also gave me suicidal thoughts. I found that taking DHEA made a HUGE difference. I know this is not a good idea. What alternative could I use?

[@yerbba]

Thanks for sharing your story.

[@margaretsmith3711]

Omg!!! I am stopping mine!!! It affected my mind so bad! My anxiety became so bad, I couldn't drive. My mind thought of every possible ways I could get in a car accident. So much more happened that it's not worth it.

[@sarahjane2221]

@@margaretsmith3711 I had to stop driving too and the anxiety was horrible! I took hormone supplement DHEA for about a year. Started with 50 mg and then 25 the last little bit. I have been able to quit taking it and feel ok now. When you feel your breasts prickle - usually at night - then you know you're getting too much. The Tingling is from the milk ducts being stimulated with hormone. That's how I knew when to cut back and eventually quit. No Dr will tell you this and I had to do it at my own risk but I could not live that way.

[@81BrinaLatina]

Thank you so much for these very supportive information you post. I’m currently recovering from reconstructive double mastectomy and DIEP flap due to stage 1 breast cancer. And I find your videos very comforting. I like that you take the time in explaining side effects and treatments. I’m currently waiting to finally meet my medical oncologist and I feel more and more confident about what I could be possibly facing. By the way, I love your plants in the background. ❤ thanks again & take care 🙏🏼 I’m always looking forward to seeing your next video. ✌🏼

[@AdrienneKushner-qi6cl]

I wish you the best. I had the same surgery in 2022. Only 48 more months of the aromatase inhibitor for me. I have a good relationship with my doctors and trust them. Hopefully you will too.

[@yerbba]

We're thrilled to hear that our videos have been a source of comfort and information for you during your recovery. We understand that this journey can be challenging, and it's wonderful to know that you're feeling more confident about what's ahead. Thank you for watching and appreciating the plants in the background!

[@seektruth983]

Tamoxifen is making feel like I’m going nuts and like my mind is playing tricks on me. Seeing numbers reversed, seeong things not seeing things. I also look 10 yrs older. 😭😭😭😭

[@airamsipuola5045]

If you don't mind, would you please elaborate a bit on how you feel you look 10 years older? I just turned 50 this year and, although I've always looked young for my ages, I started to notice my skin sagging and increased flabbiness. I was SO looking forward to going on HRT once I got to menopause, but I was just diagnosed with stage 1 ER+/PR+ breast cancer, and the thought of going on these estrogen-suppressing drugs has caused me almost as much anxiety as the cancer, itself. My mom had osteoporosis and Alzheimer's and I was hoping HRT would stave that off too ... but I'm SO scared and depressed about my quality of life now, and don't know how to deal with this upcoming rapid aging and a lifetime of drugs/side effects. :(

[@seektruth983]

@@airamsipuola5045 It’s a tough place to be. I’m just slighty under 1 yr with tamoxifen and the last few months my facial skin is suddenly saggy ( I’ve always looked super young for my age) and even the skin on my body seems saggy. Even my knees!! I catch myself in the mirror in public and I’m shocked. I’m gonna try collagen. I did ask what my recurrance risk is. And. Tamoxifen reduces that by 50%. So if your recurrance risk is say 10% , then it will cut it to 5%. But increases slightly your risk of endometrial cancer. i am seriously reconsidering if i want to continue. I also in the middle of the night see white filled circles/cloud in my eye. And i know the drug is linked to cataracts etc. not to mention many other things…. Exercise and intermittent fasting does reduce risk of recurrence. Broccoli sprouts are great. Etc. decisions decisions!! I hate this so much

[@DaisyMaeMoses]

I have been on Anastrozle for 13 months. I am 66 years old. I didn’t notice any extra aging since beginning this drug. I look the same as I did a year ago. I am just grateful the BC was caught early. I too had stage 1 grade 1. Best of luck in your journey. @@airamsipuola5045

[@same5952]

I'm on aromatase inhibitors and I too look (and feel) at least 10 years older, all within 6 months of taking it. For me it's dry facial skin with wrinkles appearing out of nowhere especially on my cheeks. My hair has gotten much thinner and limpy. Gone are my curls. I also started walking like an older person because of significant joint pain and I'm a long life exerciser! Dr. Griggs is correct in saying that movement and daily regular exercise does help. She's also correct in saying that with aromatase inhibitors symptoms don't seem to peak and get better. For me, they're consistently making me feel achey and old. I'm seeing my dr. in 3 weeks. I'll see what other options I have although, none of them sound good.

[@DaisyMaeMoses]

@@same5952 I don’t know if this will help, but I am also taking low dose Naltrexone (LDN 4.5 mcg). For me, it is a game changer. It is used to treat alchholism and opioid addiction of which I am neither. It also has a little known side effect of being an analgesic. Since I’ve been taking LDN, I have not had any joint or muscle pain. I started LDN in March and within two days, I noticed the pain had gone. You may ask yor doctor about it. Do some research before asking though as many doctors have never heard of it. KZbin has lots of really good videos on how it is used as an off label treatment. I asked my doctor about it and she prescribed it for me. LDN has to be made at a compounding pharmacy. it’s easily available. Good Luck.

[@lizabrahams7606]

Well done. Great informative video with many practical tips. I would add, Medical acupuncture treatment to treat muscular and joint pain. I take an aromatise inhibitor with a targeted therapy for stage 4 cancer. It helps me enormously with chronic lower back and hip pain and nightly sleep disturbance. The relief is instant and for most symptoms relief can be for days and sometimes weeks. I also practice daily walking and Pilates 3x a week. I follow a low inflammation diet too and all this helps supports the daily side effects of pain.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for sharing your valuable insights and experiences with the Yerbba community. It's so good to hear that you've found relief and support through medical acupuncture, along with your daily movement through walking and Pilates. Your comprehensive approach to managing side effects is commendable. This information can be incredibly valuable to others who may be facing similar challenges. Keep up the great work, and continue taking good care of yourself.

[@Fedex8016]

My oncologist changed AI for tamoxifen because I have osteoporosis (I am post-menopausal). I am worried about the risk of blood clots which is a possible complication of tamoxifen. It is a common thing for AI to increase osteoporosis? More generally, can you please give us your opinion of bone modifying medication and its role in breast cancer treatment/prevention? Thank you so much!

[@yerbba]

Thanks for the questions. Tamoxifen does increase the risk of blood clots from 1 in 1000 people to 2 in 1000 people. So you can see the risk is still extremely low. Check out our video here on bone health: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6i3qqlpeNinn9E

[@susiepingleton3614]

I have been on aromatase for 4.5 years! Side effects are just horrible! One thing that has helped me this past year is full body massages at least once a month. I am seriously thinking of quitting aromatase. I am stage lll had 19 bad lymph nodes. Refused chemo but had double mastectomy and 27 radiation burns that damaged my lung and heart. I am still alive at 73. I also take ivermectin twice a year x 4 years!!!

[@yerbba]

Sounds like you have had a really rough time. Thank you for sharing your story with the Yerbba community. For our other viewers, we want to be clear that there is no proven benefit of ivermectin in people at this point.

[@alexandramuradas4619]

Doctor please can you give us information about triple negative after treatment. What can we take? I feel so fatigued even though I have finished treatment months ago. I had triple negative and doctor said they can't send me hormones. What can I do for fatigue, irregular periods, and all symptoms. 😢

[@yerbba]

Thanks for writing. It is hard to know how to treat your symptoms without knowing if they are caused by something such as anemia or other medical problems. It is worth talking through all your symptoms with your medical team. Let them know just how bad you feel. If your periods became irregular because of chemotherapy, they will likely become regular again depending on your age. If you are over 40, they may stay irregular or stop altogether.

[@gumbylovesyou]

You mentioned quitting smoking, but is there any known connection between breast cancer and being exposed to indoor vaping? We know that vaping leaves particles on surfaces that contain substances such as nicotine and formaldehyde, but data on the health effects of exposure seems scant so far. If there was data I could point to, that would be very helpful to me. Many thanks 🙏

[@yerbba]

We do not have any information connecting vaping (indoor or outdoor) with the development of breast cancer. There is a known connection between vaping and other medical problems, however, and we would all be happier if the practice went away for good. Thank you for writing. Keep coming back.

[@IreneRattray]

With regards to smoking and vaping they harmful to health whether they cause breast cancer or not. Once though look at the bigger picture. Post breast treatment is like a rock between a hard place. The tamoxifen therapy to help prevent recurrence is devastating for most women. I would continue to have working ovaries. When menopause is reached go on HRT take the risk and have a good quality of life.

[@zulmadelacruz1353]

hello i want to say thankyou for these videos i am learning so much iive just been diagnosed with stage 2 cancer and just started tamoxifen 3 days ago i am wondering when to start expecting side efects thankyou

[@yerbba]

Thanks for writing. This is a good question. People usually get side effects within the first month. Side effects usually "peak" at 3 months and can often get better after that.

[@AnnetteWeier]

Thank you for the video and useful information. Can you do a video about exercising safely after starting on an aromatase inhibitor, please? After finishing chemotherapy and during radiotherapy, I did a 12-week supervised exercise program to slowly rebuild my fitness and strength and make it easier to exercise after I started on an aromatase inhibitor. I was feeling good on my exercise program when I started on letrozole but after 2-3 months, I started getting more pain and then developed tendinopathies - shoulder bursitis, then knee and hip bursitis, and shin splints. I cut back on my exercise but didn't get relief until I stopped exercising for 6 weeks. Since then, I have been slowly rebuilding my exercise program but am still on half of what I was doing. I have now been told that aromatase inhibitors can trigger tendinopathies and chronic pain because they cause a sudden drop in muscle mass, reduce collagen in the tendons causing stiffness, and reduce joint lubrication, as well as directly sensitising my central nervous system. I believe I should have cut back on my exercise until I got used to the letrozole and then built up again because my body is no longer able to do what it could do before letrozole.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for sharing your story with the Yerbba community. We have recommended movement (our term for exercise) to help with the muscle and joint pains from the aromatase inhibitors. It sounds like you have had a particularly difficult time. Check out our interview on yoga for people living with breast cancer.

[@ziadnohieldin]

Is there any recommendation or mangment for feet pain and the inability to walk from hormmonal medications as ferara

[@yerbba]

Physical therapy and supportive footwear may help. It’s important to discuss these symptoms with your oncologist, who can recommend treatments or adjustments to your medication. Another option would be to change to a different aromatase inhibitor. This can help with the side effects.

[@CharleneBaatjies-w6q]

Can you tell me how the Leterozol works

[@CharleneBaatjies-w6q]

PR AND ER+ and HER2 NEG

[@yerbba]

You may find our video on aromatase inhibitors helpful. Come back if you have additional questions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqasYqB5f7pllbc

[@nglimnancy3539]

Dear doctor , ive been taking anafranil for 19 years. Since feb 2023. Been diagnosed triple positive. Im actually on tamoxifen but some studies read said that anafranil reduces tamoxifen effectiveness . Should i continue or discontinue anafranil. Thanks. Waiting for a reply.❤

[@yerbba]

This is a really interesting question. Clomipramine many other medications, can decrease the amount of tamoxifen's metabolite in the body. For a while, the recommendation was that people on tamoxifen not take any medication that interferes with the conversion of tamoxifen to its active form, endoxifen. However, there is no data showing that patients receive less benefit from tamoxifen, so the concern has been allayed in large part. Because of the theoretical concern, some doctors will recommend alternatives to drugs like clomipramine, but for people in whom their medication is working well, stopping a good medication probably poses a greater risk to their overall health.

[@dianallerahurlburt9010]

I really appreciate your videos and find them very informative. Would it be possible to get more information on the three main Aromatase inhibitors? What are the main differences between them? Thanks again for all the useful information.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for watching. Check out our video on the aromatase inhibitors: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqasYqB5f7pllbc. They are all equivalent in terms of efficacy. We originally thought that exemestane would be more likely to spare the bone (causing less loss of bone mineral density), but this has not be borne out in clinical studies.

[@L-ash777]

They are all the same basically, carpel tunnel, cause other cancers, facial hair, bone loss, basically they f$&@ you up and can’t be reversed

[@AllisonOrlina]

I'm puzzled that this video discourages the use of vaginal estradiol because of a "fear" when most of the information in Yerbba videos is grounded in statistics or pharmcology. A number of studies have shown that plasma estrogen is not raised above certin picograms by vaginally applied estradiol. I think the presentation of vaginal estradiol should be more nuanced, with descriptions of local dose (1/8 applicator versus a full applicator); impacts on goals for estrogen levels in the cancer treatment plan; and the potential for genitourinary relief, especially if a patient is considering stopping antiestrogen therapy altogether due to sexual or urniary side effects.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for the feedback. You are right that we tend towards high quality date. With vaginal estrogen, there is "keratinization" of the vaginal epithelium, which is through to decrease absorption into the bloodstream. Regular use of vaginal estrogen is thus necessary to avoid "surges" of the drug into the bloodstream. One thing people will find is that a specialty gynecologist, to which everyone does not have access, is more likely to prescribe/support the use of vaginal estrogen. Thank you again for the feedback.

[@tarotparacancerianos]

Thank you my dear so helpful ❤❤❤

[@yerbba]

Thank you again.

[@samanthaesra4035]

Thank you so much for this info.

[@sobiahayat6880]

Thank you for your help in the form of great information

[@yerbba]

Your support means a lot to us! Thank you for watching.

[@paulamilano8723]

Is there a treatment to help stop hair lose when taking anti estrogen for 10 years? Will Minoxidril help?

[@yerbba]

Great question. Checking in with your doctor about this would be a great first step.

[@jiggie3087]

Hi Dr, what about water based lubricant with parabens? Is paraben like estrogen and products with parabens are bad for breast cancer patients?

[@yerbba]

We recommend avoiding parabens altogether. Although there is not compelling evidence that there's a link between parabens and breast cancer, there is a theoretical link. There are many alternatives to paraben-containing lubricants.

[@tessyk5571]

Madam, I was affected with Her2 positive stage3c cancer in2022 December.My supraclavicular lymph node had also been involved After 4 cycles of AC,4cycles of Docetaxel, Traztuzumab,MRM and 15 radiations, 12 cycles of Tra ztuzumab were also given to me.During MRM, 2 nodes were positive.After 12 cycles of Traztuzumab,there was new growth in my supraclavicular lymph node level 4 and 5 b Now both of those lymph nodes were removed and on histopathology, 6nodes out of 13 were positive and there was extranodal extension and intravascular embolism On IHC examination,12percent Er positive and weak Her2 So 25 radiations were given and now in letrozole.For how many years should letrozole be taken?

[@yerbba]

Letrozole is typically taken for 5 to 10 years, depending on individual factors and your response to treatment. If your cancer does not recur at the 10 year mark, it is possible you'll be offered a longer course of letrozole.

[@sarahweiner8132]

Will it hurt me to take coligon 1 while using Anstrozole.

[@yerbba]

It does not appear that there's an interaction, but check with your doctor or pharmacist.

[@beeyongchai4701]

Thanks you for your explanation. Last week i am diagnosed endometrial polyps. I am worry what the disease is...i heard its can lead to uterine cancer. How could i cope this sides effect. I will know the result of sample by this ends of month. Hope everything going good.

[@yerbba]

Being diagnosed with endometrial polyps can be worrying, but most polyps are benign. It's good that you're getting a biopsy to know precisely what you're dealing with. Try to stay positive, and gather all the information you can from your doctor to manage your health proactively. Thank you for sharing your experience with our community.

[@SofiaAhmad-rp8sm]

Is hormonal therapy recommended for men's?like letrozole

[@yerbba]

Yes, endocrine therapy (both the aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen) are highly effective in men with breast cancer.

[@robertdunne8072]

Gratitude and a Question! Dr. Griggs . . . well done videos! My wife, Deborah and I are very pleased with your production and narrative. It explained much better than reading the results of clinical trials and the like, e.g., WebMD and similar. Our question is what is the probability of breast cancer recurrence or recurrence in some other organ WITHIN 5 YEARS IF SHE ELECTS NOT TO TAKE AROMATASE INHIHIBITOR? Deborah had surgery to remove a 9MM tumor, clean margins, and graded Stage 1, Grade 2, less than 2cm, Carcinoma insitu.

[@yerbba]

It is difficult to estimate a risk of recurrence without being able to look directly at the pathology report. In general, the benefit of endocrine therapy in someone with a tumor such as your wife's is small but not insignificant. If she is uncertain about whether to take it or not, a 3-month trial of taking the medication may be helpful. Wishing you both the best.

[@echipafrumindiaromania8583]

What is the minimum dosage of Tamoxifen recommended for DCIS . My oncologist is saying 10 mg , other are recommending 20 mg and Im very confussed . I'e had a right breast mastectomy last year . Please advice

[@yerbba]

The dose that has been tested in clinical trials with thousands and thousands of patients is 20 mg a day. This can be taken as a 10 mg tablet twice a day.

[@johndepner9237]

Thank you for the information. I was wondering if Tamoxifen causes fluid retention?

[@yerbba]

Yes, tamoxifen can cause fluid retention. It's not that common, but we've seen it.

[@IreneRattray]

From info l would take the risk and avoid tamoxifen and the letri

[@jennieosborne3530]

I also have trouble with fluid retention.one day I will end up with kidney failure. And on a dialysis machine with my kidneys shut down. I don't want that the other night I had to drink tea that would reduce bloating & swelling. I don't like looking like I am pregnant or like I'm going to have a baby. This would interfere with my normal quality. It's hard enough with the mastectomy surgery I had.

[@L-ash777]

Yes, and with no symptoms a pulmonary embolism, be aware

[@carolbrierley-mcginn1963]

Thank you for your information very very helpful!😊

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching. Yerbba appreciates you!

[@ChristinaOtt-xj3my]

My mother's oncologist initially decided to go the chemo route, then changed treatment to hormonal therapy. She had her lumpectomy, but we were told she needed to begin chemo within 12 weeks after the surgery. Would you recommend that we should get a second opinion for her treatment?

[@yerbba]

Whenever there's a significant change in treatment plans, especially one as critical as deciding between chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, seeking a second opinion can be beneficial. It can provide additional perspectives on the best treatment approach and reassure you that all options have been thoroughly considered.

[@RachelDDixon]

Please do!!!!

[@peggycrist1724]

Very Informative! Thank you

[@yerbba]

We're so glad you found this video helpful!

[@tttony9426]

why not treat the underlying problem for night sweats,the hypothalmus needs to be supported it is the bodies thermostat, any & all HRT confuses the bodies normal function of send & feed back loop of hormones, theres many natural treatments for this

[@yerbba]

While addressing the hypothalamus makes sense, there are so many other things the hypothalamus does that interfering with or modifying the functions of the hypothalamus would probably be ill-advised. There is a medication, clonidine, that is an alpha receptor modifier that can help with vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes.

[@zakiyakhan1228]

Im on Tamoxifen since 3 months and have noticed that my hair stopped growing. After chemotherapy completion, my hair started growing but as I started Tamoxifen, it came to sudden halt..Is there any way out?

[@yerbba]

Hair changes can indeed occur with tamoxifen although it's much less common than with chemotherapy. This can be distressing, especially after seeing regrowth post-chemotherapy. It's important to discuss this side effect with your oncologist as they may suggest potential solutions or adjustments to your treatment. There can also be other causes that can be checked out, usually with blood tests.

[@georginanickles5043]

Is there any Hormonal therapy medicine that is not in a pill form for an individual who can't swallowed pills at all?

[@yerbba]

Yes, hormonal therapies are available in non-pill forms, such as injections. Talk to your oncologist about alternatives if swallowing pills is an issue.

[@tauresattauresa7137]

What about blood clots.

[@yerbba]

The risk of blood clots is not increased with the aromatase inhibitors. Although early studies indicated that there was a risk, that's because these medications were used only in people with advanced/metastatic breast cancer. Advanced breast cancer is associated with a higher risk of blood clots. So it's not the AIs themselves but rather the underlying cancer. In people with early stage disease, there is no increase in the risk of blood clots as there is with tamoxifen.

[@L-ash777]

Rubbish I got a clot in lung

[@deschelbutler4859]

Very informative

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching. We appreciate your support!

[@Pheran_to_scrub]

I am taking it from 1year i am facing hyperpigmentation freckles on face is side effect of this drug

[@yerbba]

Endocrine therapy for breast cancer has not been reported to cause hyperpigmentation in an extensive review of the literature. The newer targeted therapies called CDK 4/6 inhibitors, can cause a greyish pigment to the skin. Of course, people can always have something not previously reported, but it would make sense to have your medical team rule out any other possible causes.

[@jmar8507]

Will Aromatase Inhibitors make PCOS worse?

[@yerbba]

Great question. For our other viewers, PCOS is polycystic ovary syndrome. The aromatase inhibitors do not make PCOS worse and in fact have been studied as a form of treatment for PCOS.

[@Hajar20032]

Hi dc i hope you doing good. Im HAJAR from MOROCCO. My mom has a TNBC and she passed The first stage of the treatment she did 4 seance with treatmnt called epircel and endoxan and she now in the second with a treatment called paclitaxel.And the report says 18 uninfected lymph nodes and The cancer is only confined to the area of ​​the tumor With 1,5cm uninfected Is thats good i hope you understand me. My mom wants to ask for diet for TNBC and if she eat fruit thats has no harm to her health. Second question Regarding the analyzes and disclosures that are required she should do. Thanks for reply❤️❤️

[@yerbba]

Your mother is fortunate to have you looking out for her. It sounds as if your mother is getting good care for triple-negative breast cancer with negative nodes. We do recommend a plant-based diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. A colorful diet!

[@Hajar20032]

@@yerbba thank you so much doctor ❤️

[@safaalriyami4643]

How about KY Gel? Can we use that for the vagina?

[@jennypangalanko]

Thank you for this video

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching. Yerbba appreciates you!

[@marthaslaughter5406]

Why do you need any of this if cancer has not spread and you have hada mastectomy

[@yerbba]

Such a good question. The risk of the cancer coming back in other parts of the body is high enough in some people that systemic treatment is recommended. Surgery cannot remove cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body. There are no scans that can assure doctors that the cancer is not in other parts of the body. Instead, we look at the tumor features to estimate the risk of the cancer coming back. If the risk is higher than 10%, chemotherapy, endocrine, and targeted therapies will likely be considered.

[@olgagorshkalova5694]

Do you see anyone who has shivers or internal tremors with lupron/zoladex? I seem to have that for about a week or so after each monthly shot.

[@yerbba]

Although having tremors is not listed as a side effect in any of the literature related to the use of the LHRH analogs, your experience indicates that it is a side effect. At some point, people can also get conditioned to get side effects. Hoping it gets better over time.

[@olgagorshkalova5694]

@@yerbba thank you. I've tried staying more hydrated this time around after the shot and it seems to help 🙏

[@mauragerard1887]

I too have been having internal tremors. Glad to know it’s from the Lupron and that someone else has experienced it. I thought I was losing my mind.

[@safaalriyami4643]

How about weight gain?

[@yerbba]

This is an interesting question. In placebo controlled studies when tamoxifen was studied for prevention, both placebo and tamoxifen treated women gained weight and the same amount of weight. So the dogma is that tamoxifen does not cause weight gain. However, in years of practice, it's been our observation that women lose weight when they stop tamoxifen. It's hard not to attribute at least some of the weight gain (probably 5 to 10 pounds) to tamoxifen. The majority of our patients do not gain weight strictly because of tamoxifen. We all gain weight with time unless we are fortunate to have good genes and access to healthy foods and places and time to exercise, the ability to get good sleep, etc.

[@ritamugeni6403]

How do control my weight because am gaining more each day am

[@yerbba]

Navigating weight management during hormonal therapy can indeed present challenges. It's crucial to adopt a balanced approach, incorporating gentle movements such as walking or yoga into your routine. For personalized advice on addressing specific side effects, engaging in open discussions with your healthcare team is highly recommended. Feel free to watch our video about "How to Cope With Weight Changes During Breast Cancer" for further guidance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKPGiGV6iZJlack.

[@zelfyre-cq7jg]

I love how Doctors think they need to tell grown adults how to dress. I couldn't possibly have worked out how to dress when I am overheated without asking a Doctor. You're joking. The infantilisation of women in cancer 'care' is disgusting.

[@yerbba]

The policing of how women dress is something else, isn't it? One thing we have found is that sharing tips from other people can help others who perhaps need ideas for what they themselves can do to feel better.

[@janeellis4926]

You can have fatigue even if you are sleeping well. Also hair loss was not addressed. These R my side affects. Of course it interferes with quality of life. No way to avoid.

[@yerbba]

You're right-fatigue is a big part of the experience, and we actually covered it near the end of the video. Hormonal therapy does come with a lot of menopausal-like side effects, including hair thinning (more common than hair loss), which may not be as commonly discussed but is still really important. It is really important to talk about hair thinning or loss with your primary doctor. There are other things not related to breast cancer treatment that can cause hair thinning, such as thyroid problems. Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

[@SofiaAhmad-rp8sm]

Why i loose weight using letrozole medicine for 1 year

[@yerbba]

It's hard to know why you're losing weight. This would be a good thing to talk about with your medical team.

[@Ahmad_617]

May be your are loosing bone mass . Are your bones thiner than before?

[@joyandrews3804]

No one told me I’d have horrendous hot flashes and insomnia every day for the rest of my life even after discontinuing the medication!

[@yerbba]

It's incredibly frustrating not to be fully informed about potential long-term side effects like hot flashes and insomnia. It's important to discuss these ongoing symptoms with your medical team as there may be strategies or treatments that can help manage them. Thank you for watching and sharing your experience.

[@annitafonken5498]

You can use Paxil 10mg take in morning for hot flash daily control. You can use Zolpidem 5 or 10 mg daily for insomnia. I hope this helps you 😊

[@annitafonken5498]

Paxil 10mg daily for hotflashes & 10mg of Zolpidem for daily sleep. Some people only need 5mg of sleep med to work. Natural remedy for some people is Saffron capsules for sleep​. However you care team would have to approve of the use of Saffron.❤😊@@yerbba

[@juaquiene7726]

If I could interrupt the present conversation. I have what I feel may be an interesting topic. That being the wearing of bras. Us European ethnic women have been putting our ( girls) into those contraptions since before we had breasts to worry about. They bind, constrict and compress and we wear them sometimes 24 / 7 I think about how blood & lymph fluids could end up traped. Which can't be good. We know about this when we do take our bras off and we're criss crossed with red marks. To be fair and accurate. Let's compare Western bra wearing women to countries where our sisters go A Lah natural. I have a bet the breast cancer rates are much lower in these countries. Than here in the West. Maybe we should wear bras like we wear high heels. Only on special occasions. Teach are daughters leave the dang things off! Ladies used to wear camisoles to keep nipples in check . There is advertisement for a new bra. It's simply a surgical grade silicone cup held on with adhesive strips. Anyone who's worn a backless top knows already. This was inspired by a Dr. Just like our beloved Dr. Griggs. Who strongly feels wearing of bras promotes breast cancers.

[@yerbba]

Thank you You may find our videos on breast cancer myths helpful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6a7hK17aJJnn80

[@juaquiene7726]

@@yerbba I went to your recommended site on ( breast cancer myths ). So I'm considering & weighing out all that was discussed there. Dear Dr. Griggs. I'm so appreciative of these video's you put out. For our education. Let me say this is my community and support system.. As having cancer just post COVID. I appreciate your very articulate, calm and soft spoken voice. It certainly is a gift. Bet your patients agree as well. Can't help but notice. Your a very conservative person. Quick to shut down any theory ( hypothesis) not proven 100 % ). In a world of a disease that is so in the grey area. Where a patient can go from stage 1 to stage 4 inside a year. In spite of following all recommended treatments. IMO the hospital / nursing staff I have to attend. Many others too. Feighn ignorance and totally fail in being truthful and honest about so many things. Such as procedures, biopsies, side effects from the toxic drugs you have to take etc. Sadly if you only knew the real truth you could do and prepare for what is ahead of you. Eliminating some side effects. ( Embarrassment, furniture, friendships & jobs ) ( extreme diarrhea )Giving the patient a measure of control. To the point you lose your faith and wanting to believe what your health care professionals tell you. I find cancer is all about gambling and percentages. Leaving a person to weigh out pros & cons. For themselves. I respect all the hard work that has gone on. People living longer & better. We know more about what kinds of cancers are out there. But on what causes cancer ? People seem to have no clue. Perhaps afraid to rattle the cages of industries making big money? Then our culture & beliefs. Cigarette smoking used to be recommended to people with depression and anxiety. Mother's were told formulas were superior to breast milk. ( My mother. called me a savage ) horrified I couldn't boil or bleach my nipples 🤢. Of course all that has changed. I feel one day the horror of what's given and done to people with cancer will be viewed as savage and primitive. People will stand in disbelief. A shame none of us are likely to see that day. But regardless I thank you. BTW how is it if skin doesn't absorb elements look how is it so many medicines are given in patches now days? ( Antiperspirant claim )So allow some people to question & doubt. Some just may be proven right. Thank-you!!

[@lisazimmerman5622]

"Just know that will get better when you're off of treatment"... Who wants to wait 5-10 years for this to improve?!

[@yerbba]

Indeed. There are things that can help with vaginal dryness while someone is still on the medication. Your medical team can help recommend something for you. Thank you for watching.

[@inmanima]

In short: there is not way to feel good taking tamoxifeno, you have to put up with it 5 or 10 years. I have 4 year left, with luck..., so sad.

[@yerbba]

We hear you-it's really tough to deal with the side effects of tamoxifen for such a long period. It's not easy, and feeling sad about it is completely understandable. It's important to keep close communication with your medical team and support system. For our other viewers, it's important to know that everyone's experience is different. Thank you for sharing your experience and for watching.

[@jennieosborne3530]

I can't take these meducations or inhibitors. Because I already have osteopenia & I don't want it to graduate to me having osteoporosis. I have gum recession already I heard these drugs cause tooth loss. After all these years I busted myself to take care of my teeth . I already have hot flashes as it is because I don't have my ovaries or my tubes .And I had my uterus removed then I think I have had too much estrogen from being overweight. Because too much fatty tissue can produce too much estrogen. So I will eat less smaller portions. I can't tolerate medication I heard they cause swelling & I don't want swollen ankles. I made up my mind no harmones I refused estrogen after my hysterectomy I don't like medication. I made that clear to my doctor I have already made up my mind. I have these problems as it is I don't want it worse no thankyou. I know there are some women can take these medicatiins but I'm one that can't do it at all.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for sharing your viewpoint. You are right, everyone has to make their own decisions. For our other viewers, bone density problems can be treated and prevented and are reversible. Gum recession is not made worse by aromatase inhibitors in people who take care of their oral health.

[@jennieosborne3530]

@@yerbba I don't even trust that in my body I refuse it. No tooth lose for me. I personally don't like medication. Then I heard it causes memory problems. Nobody can convince me. I will stick with what I will believe. I am also a walker & walk long distances & that crap would cause me leg cramps where I would never be able to walk again. I want my independence away from people that would even suggest me even trying inhibitors it's junk. It belongs in the 🗑.

[@susiepam2716]

OK, thanks for all the ingormation. I have cut down my coffee intake, and now I understand why I'm going through so many pairs of panties per week. Yes, I have heard of panty liners.....

[@yerbba]

We're so glad to hear that you found this video to be helpful. Hormonal therapy can indeed come with some unexpected side effects, and it's great that you're making adjustments to manage them. Panty liners can be quite handy in such situations. We're here to support you on your journey.

[@jamiebond8481]

Eh there are studies that talk about how safe vaginal estrogen is. This doctor needs to educate yourself about safety of vaginal estrogen. Unsubscribing and blocking.

[@yerbba]

For our other viewers, the use of vaginal estrogen is one of those "unknowns." There is a thought that, after consistent use of vaginal estrogen, the vaginal epithelium becomes thick enough that there is minimal if any absorption of the estrogen into the body. However, some people who use vaginal estrogen have found that symptoms like hot flashes go away, which would suggest that there is some systemic absorption. Many physicians have attempted to do a clinical trial to test estrogen levels in the blood when people use vaginal estrogen, but the ethics boards keep blocking the trials. The key is probably to weigh the real benefits against the possible risk and to use vaginal estrogen regularly.

[@hildalabricort]

Please stop avoiding the word "woman" and saying "people". Breast cancer has mostly women sufferers - enough with the Woke politics!

[@same5952]

Just stop! Men get breast cancer too! I lost a good friend (MALE) to breast cancer. So, yes! PEOPLE!

[@yerbba]

We are committed to using inclusive language. Yes, breast cancer does affect women more commonly than men. However, men get breast cancer, not all women have ovaries or a uterus, and there are some people who are intersex, trans, or non-binary. Part of our mission at Yerbba is to be inclusive and compassionate. No one should be made to feel invisible. This is not political. Major medical organizations without many thousands of physicians agree that we absolutely must be inclusive.

[@hildalabricort]

@@yerbba I've already stated men can get breast cancer. My concern is your saying MEN with breast cancer when referring to men but previously saying PEOPLE with ovaries when referring to WOMEN. Stop erasing the language of women, and stop pretending human beings can change sex - you're a doctor, kindly start using biology instead of fantasy when stating the facts of life. Human beings cannot change sex.

[@sueu6263]

Your comment is completely irrelevant . We are not here to politicize cancer. She’s perfectly sensitive in her speaking way. We know women have vaginas so what’s your problem?

[@hildalabricort]

You're commenting about Dr Griggs? I don't see anyone else here so I take it you're commenting about the doctor. You're absolutely right; she shouldn't politicise cancer and say "people" as per the Woke cult; she should say "women" I completely agree. I'm fed up with woke politics erasing women, and worse, the women who are collaborators in our erasure. Shame on the doctor - shame on all such traitors.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching. We appreciate you!