Tuesday, February 14, 2012

ER+ and PR+ Diet or pills?

So today I figured I would research the effects of these hormone blockers the dr. wants to put me on and how they might affect my diet, and the side-effects.  I don't really know which ones she is considering (I forgot to ask) but from the looks of it, it will be either tamoxifen or Arimidex so I'm researching both.  I am so confused! I find that some of the anti-cancer foods I am eating can increase estrogen as well as some of the foods I have to eat for my carcinoid cancer.  GEEZ!!!! I might as well just forget ever going out to eat again...which I didn't do much of anyway but it was a treat when I did.  I'm so frustrated as I don't know who to trust with my health...the natural diet gurus or the medical doctors who haven't really even talked to me about diet...only about meds and chemo and such.  I'm hoping my new orthomolecular doctor is a little of both. I have to get an appt soon but my oncologist has to refer me.  I have never ever had my hormone levels evaluated...don't you think that would have been requested? What is my level of estrogen and progesterone now?  I don't know.  I know I need both of them to be healthy but before you give me pills to block it, shouldn't you know how much? I already have arthritis and I'm borderline osteoperosis in my hip so then I have to take yet another pill Fosomax to reduce that!  I have hot flashes and night sweats now and guess what...these pills will increase that!  It never ends!  Lloyd says to just trust the doctor but how can I when EVERYTHING I read from other cancer survivors points me away from them. I mean my first pathology report was really good ...papillary tumors which have the highest rate of recovery and clear nodes. My surgeon says "oh you won't need chemo, you don't treat that kind of tumor with chemo".  Then my oncologist wants to send my slides to another pathologist - why? Does she want them to find something else so she can recommend chemo?  What if the second report comes back that it was a different type of tumor...who do I believe?  It is so scary to have your health in your own hands.  I'm putting this away until I meet with the oncologist on Monday and see what she found out and what she recommends.  I'll ask my questions and show her what I found and see what she says.  Then I'll make my decision ....I think LOL!  Time for the stress relief cd....Thanks Jo :O)

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