RE: [Wellness] FW: Femara vs Tamoxifen/memory issues

["Mott Sarah E" <mott.se@mellon.com>]

Title: Message

Hey Beverly -

 

You're especially correct about the environment. But there are some things we know to be hazardous and cancer-encouraging, if not outright cancer-causing, which we should avoid if possible. Plastics, pesticides for example head the list....

 

Here's a bit about a common weed killer. 

 

http://www.post-gazette.com/healthscience/20020415frogsscience2p2.asp

 

The Bush Administration is  working hard to keep this poison (atrazine) legal. It has been banned in Europe. It's the stuff that converts to estrogen and encourages certain types of cancers.

 

Read up on these types of things ladies, protect yourself. And for goodness sake, DON'T USE CHEMLAWN.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Beverly D. [mailto:bdubrin@ca.astound.net]
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 7:10 PM
To: Mott Sarah E; Mary Hopper; Karen Patterson; Wellness List
Subject: RE: [Wellness] FW: Femara vs Tamoxifen/memory issues

Dear Sarah,

Who's to really know what has happened to our bodies as a result ot chemo and the Tamoxifen/Femara regime. also, we are older and some, myself in particular, took birth control pills for years and HRT for 6 years...it all adds up, plus genetics and environment...very hard to pin down cause and effect, I fear. The good part is we are still here to debate the subject.

My best,

Beverly

At 8:48 AM -0400 8/17/04, Mott Sarah E wrote:

It's not just the Tamox that causes memory impairment, it can also be chemo damaging your ovaries and lessening estrogen levels which are necessary for proper cognitive functioning.

I was part of a research study in which I was tested for cognitive function before, just after, and a year after chemo. I was told I had no cognitive impairment, but I know that is not true. I had/have trouble remembering names and finding words sometimes, it can be very annoying. Multi-tasking is much more stressful than it used to be.

 

As with a lot of women's health issues, these symptoms were just not taken too seriously. It's nice to see they finally are.

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: wellness-admin@womens-wellness.com [mailto:wellness-admin@womens-wellness.com] On Behalf Of Mary Hopper
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 3:14 PM
To: Karen Patterson; Wellness List; Beverly D.
Subject: Re: [Wellness] FW: Femara vs Tamoxifen/memory issues

I took myself off Tamoxifen after using it for 2 years -- memory impairment and extreme hot flashes were my reasoning.  The hot flashes have diminished considerably and who knows about the memory impairment.

 

I am thankful for this forum and read and save each one for future reference.  Thank all of you for being there.

 

Mary Shular Hopper

----- Original Message -----

From: Beverly D.

To: Karen Patterson ; Wellness List

Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 2:20 PM

Subject: Re: [Wellness] FW: Femara vs Tamoxifen/memory issues

Well, ladies, the timing was perfect....I had an oncology checkup today (all OK...isn't this a nerve-wracking event?) and asked my doctor about memory loss from both drugs. His reply: Yes it does happen basically because our poor brains are being deprived of estrogen with both drugs. The current evaluations reveal that Femara is causing it less tho.

The medical community is actually recognizing that this is happening and many doctors are putting their patients into special classes, much on the order of classes that stroke victims go to, to work on memory skills and developing other parts of the brain.

As one who went thru 5 years of Tamoxifen and now 6 months of Femara, I do not know if I have had memory issues...the next question, is how would I know, if I couldn't remember?

Hang in there ladies...hope this helps a bit and offers some Northern California thinking on the matter.

Beverly

At 1:36 PM -0400 8/15/04, Karen Patterson wrote:

I know some of you have made this switch.  Can anyone offer help?

 

Here is the research I found when this question came up previously:

 

http://www.us.femara.com/index.jsp

http://www.us.femara.com/info/index?hcp=no&page=about

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2001/ANS01064.html

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/Breastcancer/Drugtherapy/Femara/WhenisFem

araprescribed

http://www.us.femara.com/info/page/stayinghealthy

http://www.us.femara.com/info/page/stayinghealthy-menopausal

 

Also if you go to the archives and type in Femara you will see some conversations others had.  Good luck,

Karen

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: LRBogan@aol.com [mailto:LRBogan@aol.com]
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2004 12:39 PM
To: Patterson@womens-wellness.com

Subject: Femara vs Tamoxifen/memory issues

Hi friends,

I have been a member in this wonderful support group and have gleaned a myriad understanding of my disease. I have done extensive research all for naught it seems about switching from Tamoxifen to Femara. Basically I am wondering in any of you have had to get off of Tamoxifen due to serious mental and memory impairment; what I would describe as panic attacks, severe memory impairment, fear of sounding stupid in interactions with friends and coworkers due to a kind of "mind brain" separation. I took myself off of Tamoxifen and called my doctor immediately. It was I who suggested Femara. His response was, "OK, I will write you in a prescription." He actually saw me in that horrible condition and said, while he has never heard of this side effect, he did not rule it out.

From what I know about Femara, it is a medication that is prescribed after the five year use of Tamoxifen? Any responses out there; as I fear that I have taken myself off of the supposedly creme DE la creme of cancer medications.

I was diagnosed with third stage breast cancer in April 2001.

Lana

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**********    Beverly Dubrin's Where-To-Guide     **********

Where To Go For Dining, Shopping,& Travel

www.where-to-guide.com

 

The information contained in this e-mail may be confidential and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee.

Access, copying or re-use of the e-mail or any information contained therein by any other person is not authorized.

If you are not the intended recipient please notify us immediately by returning the e-mail to the originator.(A)