Looking for some cancer drug info

As many of you are aware, my lovely wife Emiko survived a bout of breast cancer April 2008, she did NOT have Cemo, but radiation therapy, Cemo was not deemed necessary. She has had a continuing drug treatment, monthly shots and daily pills. She was using " Goserelin acetate (Zoladex) but had a lot of very bad side effects, and after a year of use, the doctor finally switched her to a new drug called "Leuprorelin" or "Leuprolide Acetate" as the side effects are supposed to be less severe, but this is not proving to be true, at the moment. We are hoping that the side effect taper off, but they were supposed to do so with the first drug, Goserelin, but did not.

I know a few families have been through the whole cancer thing here, and I was wondering if there are some resources that could be shared, or some information passed on. The doctor here is just about useless, he did a fine job on the surgery, but his people skills are very lacking, when Emiko complains bitterly of not wanting to get out of bed for days at a stretch, and has bone and joint pain so severe that she cannot get up to go to the bathroom, all the doctor has to say is "buck up, only three more years of treatment......." :

The fact that it took a year of constant pain to get him to change to a different drug, tells me a lot, the guy is a surgeon, so he is unflappable in his belief that he is right, no amount of talking to him has helped, I've tried. As we are in Japan, on socialized medical, changing doctors is just about impossible, we would have to go the private route (Thankfully that route is still open) but it would cost us thousands of dollars a month, not going to happen.

I'm turning to the brain trust here, hoping to get some leads on info, or some advice, we have two choices really, continue with the drug treatment for another 3 years, or stop.

Thanks for listening, I know this is not a fun subject, and if you would like keep your info private, please PM me.

Cheers!

Stu

Stu..this looks to be a very harsh drug, You may want to read up on it.

I found this while searching:

http://www.rallycongress.com/2/1902/

Not sure what to think of it, but you may want to push for something else.

Wish I could help. Linda is on Valcaid (sp?). No side effects to speak of, but its not for all types of cancer.

Justin Leiwig said:

Stu..this looks to be a very harsh drug, You may want to read up on it.

I found this while searching:

http://www.rallycongress.com/2/1902/

Not sure what to think of it, but you may want to push for something else.

Click to expand...

Thank you Justin!

I found more info here........

http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=815582

I think I need to get Emiko off of this drug

When looking at medical info on the web, it is good to have sources that are government or .edu type sites.

Here is one source that may provide some more info:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/leuprolideacetate

Hope you find some answers, and that Emiko has a fast and full recovery. I know nothing of Japan's medical system, but if she is being followed by a surgeon, is there any way you could request a consultation with an oncologist? [A non-surgeon who specializes in the medical treatment of cancer.]

Ken

Thanks for the link Ken!

The problem with the socialized system here is that once a patient gets on a doctor's books, he gets paid for them being on his books each month, so he is not willing to send her to an oncologist, as he would not get the payment, besides, the guy is a surgeon, and thinks he is only half a step below a god

It is a problem, but it is the system we have here, and we have to work within it.

Cheers!

Stuart, my oldest son Jon 27 had a rare forum of cancer, after it was cut out the 2nd time he also went through radiation. His doctor was the top specialist in the country for this kind. I can ask Jon what medication he was taking. I can get back to you when Jon calls me back.

Your wife is in my prayers. Scary times for you both. We did allot of praying, Jon has been cancer free for 6 years now. The cancer kept him from his desire of going EOD in the Navy. But he handled it well.

Also my wife 2 best friends just went through breast cancer and both had double mastectomies one is a nurse and I can also see if she would be willing to correspond with you.

Thank you very much Dave

Stu, very difficult news to hear about your wife. I know nothing that would be useful. But, the Susan B. Komen organization is all about helping bc patients with support. You might find something there:
http://ww5.komen.org/
All the best to your entire family.

Stuart you have a PM

Frank beat me to the Susan B Komen organization suggestion. If they don't know the answer, I'll bet they can direct you in the proper direction. Your family will be in my prayers!

Stu,

Those first two sites listed were less than helpful. I say this publicly, just because others might stumble across this page and be misled.

Try this search: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...ide+Acetate+breast+cancer+women&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

Lots of useful information out there.

Our best to you and Emiko...

Thanks,

Bill

stu, there must be universities that offer pharmacy classes near you. Or at least within a phone call away.
Most have drug information centers, and the people there are usually educated in their field,pharmacology degrees, and alike, since they answer questions for doctors and patients, hospitals...etc.....Im sure if you gave one a call, they'd be glad to help you out with questions and possible suggestions(well, maybe not suggestions, they are strictly information people)

You definitely need to get to a medical oncologist (radiation oncologist do radiation and medical oncologist do chemo). There's a lot to know about chemo drugs and a surgeon simply cannot have that level of knowledge.

BTW, you know the difference between a surgeon and God? God doesn't think he's a surgeon.

Mike

ken werner said:

When looking at medical info on the web, it is good to have sources that are government or .edu type sites.

Here is one source that may provide some more info:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/leuprolideacetate

Hope you find some answers, and that Emiko has a fast and full recovery. I know nothing of Japan's medical system, but if she is being followed by a surgeon, is there any way you could request a consultation with an oncologist? [A non-surgeon who specializes in the medical treatment of cancer.]

Ken

Click to expand...

Neither the fact that it has .edu or .gov at the end of it means anything as to the validity of the claim.

Who do you think finances the studies that universities pump out?

Bill Lantry said:

Stu,

Those first two sites listed were less than helpful. I say this publicly, just because others might stumble across this page and be misled.

Try this search: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...ide+Acetate+breast+cancer+women&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

Lots of useful information out there.

Our best to you and Emiko...

Thanks,

Bill

Click to expand...

How is posting a google search any more helpful than a listing of other peoples reactions to this drug?

There is nothing misleading about anything anyone else posted! Get off your high horse Mr. thinks he's superior to others. This is a forum filled with people, not doctors or drug experts. So far I haven't seen your MD license, or your speciality in oncology drugs, so who are you to say what's misleading to others?

Everyone reacts to drugs differently, that's why there is not one super pill cure all. Since I could not find anything that didn't have a valid study behind it, I thought that maybe Stu might want to see what others who have taken the drug experienced. The only thing remotely valid to the use of the drug I found in a search of professional journals was treatment of sex offenders, not sure how that would have been relevant, but would that have been helpful or misleading?

Sorry for ranting, but posts like yours really chaps my hide. Posting a link to a google search that a 4 year old can perform and then telling others that what they have posted is not only not helpful, but also misleading is a real slap in the face.

Justin, with all due respect, you need to relax a little bit.

Vaughn McMillan said:

Justin, with all due respect, you need to relax a little bit.

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I am a very relaxed person by nature Vaughn, but some things just get under my skin a little more than others.

I'm sorry, but posting a link to a Google search after lambasting advice others gave is assinine. That's the equivelent of saying "They don't know what they are talking about. I don't want you to be misled by others, so look at this interenet search, all the good stuff is on Google, and it's all true and accurate!"

I just call them like I see them. Take it or leave it.

I would rather leave it. Its no wonder we have had so many wars in this world. When people are this senistive to what someone says. If you take the time to read between the lines in a positive manner then you would understand Bills intentions. There is no one upmanship with him.

Take a pill and cool down.