Medication During Breast Cancer

[JeanieB]

I was diagnosed in 1995 with IC. I am currently in treatment for breast cancer. I will be able to choose between Tamoxifen (a SERM) and Arimidex (an aromatase inhibitor). Has anyone with IC had experience with either of these drugs? One of my considerations about which to take will be which will have least impact on my bladder.

[amaranthe]

Hello and to the ICN! I am so sorry to hear that you are dealing with Breast Cancer as well as IC. That's alot for one person to handle. I can't help you with the answer to your question, since I have never had cancer or taken either med. I think it was definately a good idea to post your question, but I noticed that you posted yesterday and no one has responded yet. So, I am not sure if anyone can help here or not. But, if you dont get an answer here (or even if you do), I still think you should check with your Uro, Oncologist, and Pharmacist. I would probobly ask all 3 of them. As for your Pharmacist, you can ask if there are any fillers or dyes in either of them. Some fillers are dyes are problematic for some IC patients.

If you dont find out any info as to whether or not either of them have been problematic for IC patients, then you may just have to go on which is the most effective for your problem vs. which have the greatest potential for side effects.

I wish I could help you. I really, truly do. But, I will definately say a prayer for you. I pray that all goes well for you and you are soon in complete remisson from both.

[ICNDonna]

I'm glad you found the IC Network. We may not be familiar with the medications you asked about, but we are definitely here to support you. I think your oncologist may be your best resource about which medication will be most effective against the cancer --- and that would seem to be the most important thing.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[Mothergoose]

sorry you are having to deal with this as well.

MG

[IHAVETOGO]

I was diagnosed in 1995 with IC. I am currently in treatment for breast cancer. I will be able to choose between Tamoxifen (a SERM) and Arimidex (an aromatase inhibitor). Has anyone with IC had experience with either of these drugs? One of my considerations about which to take will be which will have least impact on my bladder.

I am having issues. I'm on Tamoxifen for five years as I am considered high risk (atypical lobular hyperplasia). I started Tamoxifen on 12/31/2010.

Lately, I'm up at least twice during the night to urinate. The Tamoxifen also causes insomnia.

It's 3 am and I am WIDE awake. Important to note: so far, no IC issues

Good luck. Message me if you'd like.

angela

[bob04951]

Sorry you are going through all of these health problems. No cancer here but it appears many others have so many multiple issues. Not fun and very worrisome. Yes your oncologist is your best resource and also do online research on the meds and ask questions. Sure you will get other responses from those who know more about this. You need to get rid of the big "C" and more and more are survivors. You sound strong and stay positive, you can beat this. Always ask lots of questions and watch your diet while you are undergoing treatment, maybe speak with a nutritionist where you are having therapy. Take care, let everyone know how you make out, please. Jill, wife of Bob

[Linda May]

I wish I new how to help you, I am so sorry that you are going through ic and cancer. I have been wondering is ic as bad as cancer? I heard that it was.
I believe you are the first one I heard of that had cancer and ic. I wish you the best of health, and I hope my question is not upsetting to you. I am just trying to understand as much as i can about ic.

[ChrisNes]

Hi, I have been away from the site for a while.
I have been dealing with other issues.
A few issues I have been dealing with is not being able to walk w/o pain in my hip (my hip has been bad for years.) I have now found a doctor who thinks he can fix my hip : )
On 2/14/13 I went in for a mammogram and I was told it would be 7 to 10 days before I got a letter in the mail about my results. # hours after my mammogram I got a phone call from the imaging department from the nearest city. They said I had a 9mm lesion and that I had to come in for another mammogram and an ultrasound. 3 days later I went in to have the images taken. They found an 11mm by 6 mm lesion on my right breast. On the 28th I go in for a breast biopsy. This would not worry me so much but in 1985 my sister (age 32 died of breast cancer.) I am 47 at this time. The lesion is close to my pectoral muscle, I have dense breasts so they are unable to get a good look at it. One doctor has said the lesion has an odd shape so she does not believe it is a cyst. I am worried.
About the first week in February my husband agreed to a divorce, he said he would help me find section 8 housing, I felt like he had hit me in the gut. I get about $730.00 per month in SSDI. My Rx s come to about $600.00 per month.
Now my husband tells me if I have cancer we need to put off the divorce. It is crazy with all of the emotion. My husband tells me he cannot stand my misery any more. I said what are you talking about, if I end up with breast cancer then I will have more misery than I do now and you want to put off the divorce? He does not make any sense to me.
I have had other issues along with the above.
My interstim I got in October 2012 works some times, but the settings do not last for long and then I have to go back in for more settings.
Well, I have touched base.
I wish You All Well.
Thank You, Chris

[ChrisNes]

Hi Everyone,

I don't know how to start this.

I did not have my breast biopsy today.

I went in to the clinic. I got all the information. The doctor and the 2 nurses talked to me and told me what to expect. They showed me the lesion on my mammograms. I got on the table put my boob through the hole. There was a lot of stretching my boob a lot of squeezing my boob. A lot of pain every time they adjusted and re-adjusted everything. It was an hour of being uncomfortable. Every time they tried to get the lesion to show up it did not work, OMGosh!

So they took me into the room with the stand up mammogram and took a few shots after a lot of squeezing and there was the lesion. This time the doctor said it was an 11.4mm by a 6.3mm.

Then they put me in a room while 2 radiologists looked at my mammogram. two doctors came back with two nurse s. They said that the lesion is not a cyst, and it does not look like cancer. They said that they cant find it when I lay down on the boob table. They said that they will monitor it, that I am to come back in 6 months to see if there is any growth. Boy was my estranged husband ******. (He wants me out of the house but not if I have cancer or something like that.)

Oh they also told me to stop looking at articles I find on the internet.

I am to go back in on August 1st and they say if there is any growth they will biopsy it that day. HOW are they going to biopsy it in August when they cant biopsy it now??? It is right next to my pectoral muscle and they cant see it when I lay down and cant get at it.

WTHeck???

My husband is ****** he wants me to go see another doctor. I hope he has the money to pay for all of this because I don't.

OMGosh...any body have any advice?

[applegal1]

2nd opinion

I've had at least 6-7 biopsies total on both breasts. I'm small in size, but they used a sonogram to locate the areas while I was lying in a flat (supine) position. Once they had a good visual they shot the machine that grabs the tissue from my breast. I didn't feel anything, the female radiologist numbed the area well. My Gyn doctor always orders a sonogram with each annual mammogram just to make sure they get a good look.

I'd ask about having a sonogram. I was never on the table where you have to lay face down. They look like a mini torture chamber.

Laura

Hi Everyone,

I don't know how to start this.

I did not have my breast biopsy today.

I went in to the clinic. I got all the information. The doctor and the 2 nurses talked to me and told me what to expect. They showed me the lesion on my mammograms. I got on the table put my boob through the hole. There was a lot of stretching my boob a lot of squeezing my boob. A lot of pain every time they adjusted and re-adjusted everything. It was an hour of being uncomfortable. Every time they tried to get the lesion to show up it did not work, OMGosh!

So they took me into the room with the stand up mammogram and took a few shots after a lot of squeezing and there was the lesion. This time the doctor said it was an 11.4mm by a 6.3mm.

Then they put me in a room while 2 radiologists looked at my mammogram. two doctors came back with two nurse s. They said that the lesion is not a cyst, and it does not look like cancer. They said that they cant find it when I lay down on the boob table. They said that they will monitor it, that I am to come back in 6 months to see if there is any growth. Boy was my estranged husband ******. (He wants me out of the house but not if I have cancer or something like that.)

Oh they also told me to stop looking at articles I find on the internet.

I am to go back in on August 1st and they say if there is any growth they will biopsy it that day. HOW are they going to biopsy it in August when they cant biopsy it now??? It is right next to my pectoral muscle and they cant see it when I lay down and cant get at it.

WTHeck???

My husband is ****** he wants me to go see another doctor. I hope he has the money to pay for all of this because I don't.

OMGosh...any body have any advice?

[ChrisNes]

Hey, on 2/28/13 when I went in for my breast biopsy that did not happen because they could not get at my lesion.
I asked the doctor about the lump in my arm. I also asked about the fact that I had pre-cancer cells of my cervix in 1998. At that time I had a leep procedure and my next pap came back ok.
I asked a nurse about my cervix in 2010 and the pre-cancer cells. That nurse said that cancer is cancer she said they just call it pre- cancer.
In 2002 I had to have a TAH (total abdominal hysterectomy) because after the birth of my daughter I had POP (pelvic organ prolapse)(and a posterior repair) the doctor left my ovaries, I don't know why he left my ovaries (I am told it was because I was 36 yr old) but I have had endometriosis and fibroids removed two times (2000 and 2002). I have had a pear size cyst removed (2000) and endo removed in 2000 and 2002 (I think it was a long time ago.)

Is any of this related to Breast cancer?

I know I still have endometriosis, and scar tissue, I have CPP (chronic pelvic pain.)

I also have Interstitial Cystitis, my bladder has shrunk to 400ml ( a normal bladder holds about 1,200ml) I have scaring and pinpoint bleeding all over my bladder. My Rx s to help me get through the day with IC (I take 10 to 11 pills a day) my Rx run a month about 630.00 per month. I have been on SSDI disability since 2009.

Thank You, Chris

[dg2901]

My advice would be to go to a different imaging center and see if the radiologist there could get the biopsy done. Between mammo-stereotactic, ultrasound guided, palpable guided, and MRI guided, certainly an experienced radiologist or breast surgeon could accomplish the biopsy.
Dont give up! This is yoyr body and its your right to know whats going on inside.

[ICNDonna]

Hey, on 2/28/13 when I went in for my breast biopsy that did not happen because they could not get at my lesion.
I asked the doctor about the lump in my arm. I also asked about the fact that I had pre-cancer cells of my cervix in 1998. At that time I had a leep procedure and my next pap came back ok.
I asked a nurse about my cervix in 2010 and the pre-cancer cells. That nurse said that cancer is cancer she said they just call it pre- cancer.
In 2002 I had to have a TAH (total abdominal hysterectomy) because after the birth of my daughter I had POP (pelvic organ prolapse)(and a posterior repair) the doctor left my ovaries, I don't know why he left my ovaries (I am told it was because I was 36 yr old) but I have had endometriosis and fibroids removed two times (2000 and 2002). I have had a pear size cyst removed (2000) and endo removed in 2000 and 2002 (I think it was a long time ago.)

Is any of this related to Breast cancer?

I know I still have endometriosis, and scar tissue, I have CPP (chronic pelvic pain.)

I also have Interstitial Cystitis, my bladder has shrunk to 400ml ( a normal bladder holds about 1,200ml) I have scaring and pinpoint bleeding all over my bladder. My Rx s to help me get through the day with IC (I take 10 to 11 pills a day) my Rx run a month about 630.00 per month. I have been on SSDI disability since 2009.

Thank You, Chris

Since you are having doubts, I would have to agree that a second opinion is a good idea. A second opinion is always okay with physicians; in fact, many will suggest it. You should be able to have your test information forwarded to a different doctor. If you hear the same thing, then at least you know and will feel more confident about what you're being told.

I totally understand how difficult it can be to wait until August to learn whether or not the lesion is a problem. I see my oncologist every three months now and even though the reports have been good for almost a year, that three months can be a very long time.


Donna