I’m in a similar situation eight chemotheraiy sessions followed by surgery but with lumpectomy 

full lymph node clearance and about to start radiotherapy next week 

I’ve also been given prescription for Anastrozole and told to start on it straight away 

I haven’t yet started as I feel that the radiotherapy will be challenging enough to deal with 

I had a really tough time on chemotherapy and having come through that I’m really struggling to accept what side effects I might have to deal with just at the point when I feel I should be getting some sort of normality back in my life 

I took HRT for a lot of years with the full support of my GP 

Having to give it up immediately on diagnosis was incredibly difficult and I have already suffered symptoms of menopause 

I am also so afraid of this hormone therapy now and what it might bring 

Hi there , I’m sorry to read your post and what you’ve been through already . It is awful being plunged back into the menopause and these drugs are powerful little @@@@@! I think I had every side effect listed ! That said I take the following which may help you but please check with your doctor first. I had Citalioram for hot flushes the first time round , so have gone back onto them ( mild anti depressant but work for flushes) . I take Magnesium 150mg twice a day for bone pain (Lamberts) , I take Calcium at lunchtime ( you can’t take at the same time as Magnesium as they counteract each other). This helps to prevent Osteoporosis as these drugs cause this . Also worth mentioning , they can increase your Cholesterol and blood pressure . I’m going to ask for baseline Cholesterol bloods and a dexa scan . I also take Pilfood for hair shedding . Good luck to both of you x

Menapause scares me more than the cancer. Horrible.i hope your ok . I scared taking the tablets .

Many thanks for the advice and I’ve taken note of all the suggestions 

I’ll wait until I’m through radiotherapy before o start 

one challenge at a time 

Hi Moore,

Not everyone gets the side effects mentioned in the literature. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of them. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer and took hormone therapy after each bout. It was challenging, but I came out the other side. Instead of worrying about the "what-ifs", try to take things as they come. If you have severe problems with Anastrazole, there are other hormone therapies which you could try.

I was first diagnosed 14 years ago and have had a lumpectomy, followed by a double mastectomy the following year. I stopped taking hormone therapy in July 2017 and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life. All in all, the side-effects were well worth it, to give me this extra time with my loved ones. Try not to look too far ahead. Take things day by day or even hour by hour if need be.

I hope that your radiotherapy goes well.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Many thank.s for all replys. I have been very positive through my cancer.and i know i will take every hurdle as it comes. 

Moore 

I had breast cancer last July , I had to start the tablets too but mine are tanoxifen I started these in November , I was scared stiff of these tablets , o was ok at first my side effects started about 6 months after taking them I have horrendous flushes but I went to gp he gave me a tablet to stop the flushes the tablets have put me in to full menapause but I feel that as long as these stop my cancer returning I will put up with it xx 

wishing you luck love Lara xx 

Hi LCR,

Can I ask about the ‘extra tablets’ that you take on top of the hormone inhibitors? Are they all prescribed for you, or do you buy some of them (eg Pilfood) yourself? I’m going to be taking hormone inhibitors (I don’t know which yet) and am thinking ahead as to what I might need. I’m dreading the side effects, so would like to be prepared. 

Many thanks. 

Hi LCR,

Can I ask about the ‘extra tablets’ that you take on top of the hormone inhibitors? Are they all prescribed for you, or do you buy some of them (eg Pilfood) yourself? I’m going to be taking hormone inhibitors (I don’t know which yet) and am thinking ahead as to what I might need. I’m dreading the side effects, so would like to be prepared. 

Many thanks. 

Hi , I’m on Letrozole and had most of the side effects. For bone pain I take Lamberts Magnesium 150mg Morning and nighttime , Lamberts Calcium and vit D at lunchtime ( it can’t be taken at the same time as the Magesium ) I take Vit B12 spray for hair shedding and the Pilfood . Letrozole leeches the Calcium from your bones which is why I take that as it can cause osteoporosis . Also do  weight bearing exercise to prevent this. Please check with your doctor before you take any extra supplements . I buy all of the above as they are not prescribed. I wish you all the best and hope these work for you . Some people manage with very few side effects btw , my old boss has been taking it for 10 years with no problems! A good diet is important and I have Citalopram prescribed for hot flushes!  

Ha ! I got to 60 on no medication , now at 63 I’m on everything!!! Cancer , the gift that keeps giving x

Thank you- that’s really helpful. I’d love to be one of the lucky ones that gets few side effects, but I’d like to be prepared rather than them take me by surprise x

You’re welcome x