Video

There's no upside to taking chemo only downsides. Would never personally do chemo for any reason to many side effects that lasts forever I'll take my chances with the disease...

Thank you, Dr Griggs, for promoting and supporting breast cancer.

Thank you, Dr. Griggs, for your helpful advice.

Chemo causes cancer, you will not live long.

I have had a long hx of depression..you probably have talked about this after the surgeries after the chemo, and after the radiation I experienced an overwhelming feeling of loss, not only from having bilateral mastectomies, but the loss of attention received from the staff and being involved..sounds weird and embarrassing..then came the aromatase inhibitors stage..there werent a lot to choose from in 2010!! I started on Armidex..the depression got worse(anti-depressants werent working), hot flashes, aches and pains..all the classic symptoms..stopped taking it for a couple months after taking it for a year..to say the least my oncologist was attempting to get me on something, so the only choice was Aromisin, which greatly improved my mood overall feeling better. Dont know why.Then my oncologist and I discusseda discussion of going beyond taking it 5 years to 10 years but decided it wasnt necessary and not enough info available.i think also because of having stage 3 lobular ca....it is amazing how many more med options are available today!! So glad to see!! Thank you Dr. Griggs for providing such compassion and understanding..

Relate karlo merse aur woh cheez k faide duniya se ghayab,kişi ki choo tak bardasht nahi mujhko,akela dikhraun toh naqre marlere? Agey ki duniya dekhe jaisi nai rakhtaun😂 Judgemental hona zaroori hai mentalo k liye😂 ajeeb gandu pagal khane hai har jagah😂 Ek mai hi Sahi hoon sab ujaad ajeeb pagal zaat😂 Isliye taraqqi nahi hui itne baras 😂

Gadde katalo makyodiyan😂

Good information by this nurse aunty

Can Tamoxifen cause hair loss?

Thanks Doc. Dr. Hussain

Thank you

Hello doctor, I had 20 radiation therapy sessions 8 months ago, taking Anastrazole 20 mg a year and half ago, after partial mastectomy (right breast). After the radiation treatment (which included my collarbone lymph nodes) I have been always extremely tired and weak, like every month or weeks between I get some episodes of extreme fatigue, headaches, shortness of breath usually for one day. My oncologist says he doesn’t know why this happens, my count of white cells is always low which, I understand, is “normal” but how long is this supposed to last? Thank you, doctor. I’m just trying to get as much information as possible just to feel emotionally better.

Based on my experience, I would recommend a portal, though my vein in my arm was used for chemo..unfortunately during 1 of my treatments, the needle pushed through my vein resulting in the Chemo drug going into my tissue, resulting in a severe burn of the tissue which encompassed my complete forearm and hand.. I experienced the most severe pain I have had ever for weeks..there has been long term effect of nerve damage in my hand..probably this may not have happened to this extent if the only nurse on duty was not at the other end of the building and reach her until I walked down there pushing my IV pole!!..this was neglience.. also i had asked her to notify my Oncologist which she did not, he didn't learn about it until the next week...future infusions were monitored closely by 2 nurses but unfortunately the IV had to be inserted in the hand which was burned. Thanks for reading..I would like to assure others, this experience is hopefully the true exception to the rule..please tell the nurse at all times if you feel any discomfort and concern during the infusion.. God bless

Tamoxifen made me bleed like a full blown menses. So I was taken off it.

tks ty Doc. very informative n useful aid me fight my metastatic breast cancer since 2023 treatments.

Well done. We needed this. I have a tiny white patch and they want a biopsy. But I say it’s from sitting in hot water with epson salt. I’m not worried. But doctor ordered it. I needed to hear what you had to say.

Was helpful thanks

So while antioxidants supplements might interfere with cancer treatment, the cancer treatment itself destroys the immune system , destroys bones, has cardiac effects, can cause blood clots, etc. I'd say to not worry about supplements but worry about the long-term effects of chemo/radiation/oral treatments.

I was prescribed Anastrozole but i never took it. I had stage 0 and chose to have a mastectomy and an implant inserted because i had a 3 inch area of calcifications. The surgeon said i would lose half of my breast anyhow. The side effects are horrible and I'm not willing to deal with them. I'd rather take my chances. My surgery was in January of 23. I am now 69 years old.

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer almost 15 years ago and was prescribed Tamoxifen. I had the worst brain fog. Another side effect for me that you didn’t mention was that my bones hurt. I stood a lot at my job and wouldn’t sit down at the computer when I had to enter something because when I stood back up I just hurt for an hour and it wasn’t worth sitting for that short amount of time. When I took my lunch break for an hour then the discomfort of getting up was worth it. It was a very hard drug for me to endure. Thank you for your information!!!

This is off topic of this particular video, but was wondering Dr. Griggs If there is possibly of explaining what a Seroma is, what causes them, how they could be prevented and what is the treatment to resolve them.. I have had 3 surgeries..2 of the 3 a seroma developed, the last 1 took 5 months to resolve!!!..I just had an axillary lymph node biopsy and guess what??!! another one has developed..if you have already done a video, would you please direct me to it?? Thank you so much. Your informational videos have been so helpful especially the ones addressing the emotional impact of breast dx, sharing with family and friends, the waiting for results, etc.. Dr. Griggs, you share so much kindness, understanding, and compassion..Thank you..

Can you post a video about the side effects of Arimidex along with Zoladex? These side effects seem to be real problematic for quality of life. Even with diet and exercise, the hot flashes and bone pain are no joke. You are the best! ❤️

Thank you, Dr.Griggs, for your pharmaceutical advice.

My oncologist has suggested I change from Letrozole to Tamoxifen but I am concerned that this may accelerate the growth of my large 8cm uterine fibroid. I have been on Letrozole for 7 months and have every side effect except hot flushes. I am 66 years old and have been told my risk of recurrence is high. Should I change or not?

You don't go into the differences between progesterone and progestin or natural sources of progesterone and how those have been used/confused with this topic (and how they are used in the studies that are out there. You REALLY need to look deep into these studies for the type and form of the specific thing they are giving participants to test.) Or the differences in types of estrogen (estradiol E2 vs. estriol E3 for example.) Particularly with topical/vaginal use of a product, E3 could be a far better option for many women with a history or risk of breast cancer that can help avoid uro-genital issues. It's really unfortunate that it's only available in the US with a specialist compounded product and there is so little info available to women in the US. This is the first thing you'd be offered (usually a cream or ovule, also containing hyaluronic acid, available with an easy prescription) elsewhere in the world, especially Europe (my personal experience is in the UK, the NL, Germany etc.) Even the non-hormonal moisturizing options are far better outside the US. I've been appalled at the ingredients in so many of these US products as well as the outrageous prices. A compounding pharmacy has been a savior for my quality of life, along with an exceptional naturopathic doctor. But then I am aware of my privilege in this area to have access to such and live in a state where naturopaths can prescribe medications. I still have to sacrifice to afford it (not covered by insurance) but it's better than monthly UTIs/antibiotics and physically painful intimacy.

I truly, truly appreciate this video -- I've been commenting a lot on tamoxifen-related issues and, from your recent few videos, it seems like perhaps you've gotten many such comments from others. It is only after my ER/PR+ cancer diagnosis that I've been able to fully appreciate how little research there has been through the years, into women-specific health concerns, and there are still not many options when it comes to menopause and tamoxifen/AI therapy. I'm 51, peri-menopausal, and had a lumpectomy and radiation for a stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. I hesitated a few months before starting tamoxifen on April 1, and lasted only 3 weeks before I stopped. Almost immediately, I started to experience hot flashes -- several a day, and a few at night. But the worst thing was that I couldn't stay asleep for more than 2 hours at a time. This started maybe a week in, and by the end of the third week, I was an emotional, physical wreck. Your videos suggested to give it 3 months for the body to maybe acclimate and get over any side-effects, but I just couldn't bear the thought of spending one more sleepless night. My main fear about all of this is my maternal family history of Alzheimer's (grandmother and mom, who got it in her early 60s and died at 76). Loss of sleep and estrogen seem to be factors in the risk of getting Alzheimer's, and I've always tried to make sleep a priority. I realize that low-dose SSRI and other antidepressants are prescribed for sleeplessness, but there have been studies out there that seem to imply a link between those drugs and an increase in the risk of dementia, so it feels like anything I do to treat my sleeplessness and hot flashes, will increase my Alzheimer's risk. It's almost like I have to choose between a recurrence of cancer, or the development of Alzheimer's. My onco-type score was 16, and my surgeon said I'm at a low risk of recurrence, but I know how important tamoxifen and AI inhibitors are, but I'm just too scared to do that at the expense of my youth and brain health.

My oncologist he is not good ,you walk in he says nothing for about 10 minutes after keeping you waiting hour over appointment time,then he just gives brief no helpful answer

I find that my oncologist is not really helpful. I report things and she has no resolution or suggestions on how to manage any side effects... so I consider the interaction useless.

Dr Griggs the side effect that has the most impact for me is skin dryness. The dryness leads to itchy rashes. Is there anything you can please recommend aside from creams to alleviate extreme dry skin. Thanks so much.

I take letrozole,my side effects is fatigue

Dr. I’m on Evista, video please

Dear doc do you know whether antidepressant anafranil 50 mg reduce effectiveness of tamoxifen.some videos say moderate ,others strong even some weak.im lost whether to continue with anafranil or switch to another. Thanks for reply 🙏❤️

I start radiation soon and I’m really nervous about my skin irritation because I’m currently dealing with an eczema outbreak. I’m curious if anyone else has some suggestions for skin care.

Doesn't anyone realise the internet is full of depressing scary information about side effects and hardly any support and advice for managing them and recovering and getting your life back

Can you do a segment on radiation pneumonitis?

At 91, my breast cancer has come back to visit after 22 years. Now at 3.8 cm. 😢. Had 2 cm lumpectomy in 2001, plus 6 weeks radiation which means a lumpectomy is not recommended at this time. No pain whatsoever so will try to see if coffee will affect the Tamoxifen or vice versa. Feeling like a Guinea pig 😄. No mastectomy is being considered at this time although I’m in good health for going on 92. (Some hypertension) An ultrasound is planned in 3 months. I’ll be in touch and welcome your thoughts.

Thank you Dr. Griggs..with your help i have recently been able to share what im really feeling..its challenging but has been allowing me to release all the pent up feelings, sadness, loneliness, being scared.. there are still bumps in the road..when i was going thru my cancer treatment, there seemed to be a lot of times something occured that wasnt expected..like during 1 of chemo sessions the needle went thru vein to tissue resulting in a severe chemo burn, i kept calling for the nurse, walked with my iv pole etc.trying to find her, resulting in a burm being more extensive then needed..i lost trust..i had a simple biopsy of an enlarged axillary lymph nod the other day...procedure went ok?, but now i have a huge seroma under my arm..i trusted the radiologist not to let this happen..but it did. was it my fault, her fault..a seroma happened also 10 years ago..took 6 mos of aspirations and 2 drains to stop draining..whose responsible..how can i trust? Thanks for reading and your wonderful videos that do provide hope and help me to understand trust is such an important of our lives(which I need to work on)!!

The end of May 2022, I was told I was pre-diabetic, had Afib, and breast cancer. I had my bilateral mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction on July 6. I lost a few months of my life being in shock and disbelief. 2022 was both the worst year and my best year. I survived! Everything is being taken care of but I still wait for the other shoe to drop. I am not the same person I once was. In some ways I am better.

O just finished iron infusion sessions now I am to start chemo after I get my hysterectomy

I walk every day. After recovery from chemo I went hiking, 100 miles +, two summers in a row. It was great to be out in the woods.

Thanks for sharing ❤

Mam how efficient are the Quinoline derivatives chemotherapy in triple negative breast cancer?

VERY depressing and disheartening that our medical system hasn't provided a better way to stop re ocurrance. I'm 65 and just beginning my journey. I'm as healthy as a 40 years old, been an athlete and healthy eater my entire life. I have ZERO joint pain and no more hot flashes, no cholesterol and no high blood pressure yet this will make me an old lady in no time. By then I'll be 70 so I'll never know if the medicine will cause me to have bad things happen or were they coming anyway. IS THERE A HOLISTIC approach for this after all, it's 2024! Let's FIND A BETTER WAY!!

So hard. I switched to nicotine delivery via vaping first. On nicotine patches now. Feel so much shame about nicotine addiction.

I am confused about the use of intrarosa also. My gynecologist suggested it but my oncologist said it’s estrogen so not a good idea due to my DCIS being estrogen positive. I’m taking anostrozole so it’s blocking estrogen production. Is intrarosa absorbed systemically?

Thank you for discussing this topic. I’m in my early 60th, have been on Letrozole for 4 years. How safe to use Intrarosa Prasterone to treat vaginal dryness for postmenopausal women with history of breast cancer as my GYN mentioned it?

Greeting Dr ! I am 48 years old Since august 2023 .my oncologist has put me In tamoxifen , for 5 years..In 2 years time My oncoligist will later switch it to other anti estrogen ..So my question is if I am taking tamoxifen now is that Working for me ?? Then why would my Dr change it to other anti estrogen after 2 years Thankyou !

Nice story lam come from Philippines i have breast cancer,heart,lungs stages 4 now my problem financial ian poor Philippines no free medication by cancer patients always pay i have no saving money pls.kind you help me by money contenue my kimo therapy second season june 9.2024.thank you

I have felt better off refined sugar, but still slip from time to time. I have tried to replace that with dates, oranges, and nuts so that I have healthier choices and lose weight.

Is there any recommendation or mangment for feet pain and the inability to walk from hormmonal medications as ferara