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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Arimidex while still having period?
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Arimidex while still having period?
by dorisdaughter, Aug 29, 2004 12:00AM
Hello, I just turned 47, recently finished 12 weeks of AC for stage 1 node neg IDC. Beginning 6 1/2 weeks radiation next week. My tumor ER/PR+ so hormone therapy in order. I have had trouble with very heavy and long periods for at least 2 years, my gyn has been monitoring fibroids, uterus lining. Chemo did not stop my periods, in fact I have been bleeding every day (some days less some more, since mid-June.) Ultrasound in mid-July showed fibroids have decreased in size by half since July 03( possibly due to chemo). Because of my weird periods and chance tamoxofin would make worse, oncologist has put me on lupron depot to make me menopausal and Arimidex. I started lupron 2 weeks ago, am still bleeding every day. Onc. said to go ahead anyway and start the arimidex, which I did yesterday. Am I getting benefit of Arimidex if still bleeding? My next appt with oncologist is in 2 weeks -- I'm a bit frustrated because very busy practice and I feel I am getting short answers (just take the arimidex) when I want more understanding. I realize this my comm. problem with onc which I have to handle but am interested in your thoughts. Thanks!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Aug 30, 2004 12:00AM
Dear dorisdaughter: It is not uncommon to bleed at first with lupron. The use of lupron and arimidex as adjuvant therapy in premenopausal women is currently investigational. It is sometimes done when tamoxifen is contraindicated or not well tolerated. You will get the benefit of arimidex.
Member Comments (2)
by deschild, Oct 05, 2004 12:00AM
I went through surgery, chemo and radiation 4 years ago. Have been on Tamoxifen since Feb 2001. My oncologist took me off it May 31 2004 and I started Arimidex June 1. Exactly 6 weeks after being off Tamoxifen, I started bleeding vaginally, not just spotting but enough so I had to wear a tampon at all times. Went to my gynecologist, and wondered if it was related to tamoxifen. I never had any bleeding while on tamox. Had a D & C July 30, showed no cancer in uterus, but the bleeding persisted. Then was put on progesterone for 10 days, to have a "normal" period. Note, I have not had a period since I went thru chemo 4 years ago! And now I have been bleeding for 12 weeks....both drs are confused..and are recommending endometrial ablation (cautery). My only other option is a hysterectomy, which I do not want at this time. Is there anyone out there who has gone thru menopause and then started bleeding while on arimidex???
