Looking for research re: taking AI drugs vs not taking them

Yes, this is the consensus of the studies I have read and also what was reported to me by my oncologist. Easily, there is a 30-50% reduction in recurrance of Estrogen Positive breast cancers (those that would be inhibited by the AI that inhibits Estrogen production, so the hormone not as available to trigger growth of any rogue cells with the Estrogen receptor and would therefore trigger growth). It is easy to find these studies with a google search (beware of the site as reputable)

I am on Exemestane (a steroid AI, one month) after trying the AI called anastrozole for 5 months. I had almost all of the negative side effects with anastrozole, so oncologist said let's try another. It is worth pressing on to find the right one, I figure going from an average 10% recurrance to 5% is worth it. Press on, we can do this.

I too am trying to press on. I had severe back pain to the point of finding it difficult to walk after four months on Anastrozole, took a break for ten weeks and am now six months in to my recommencement. Already had some osteopenia show up on initial Dexa scan in April last year and am due for repeat of this in a few weeks time. I am hoping that my twice daily doses of added cholecalciferol will have prevented any serious osteopenic deterioration. I am also finding the depression and weepiness side effects challenging but have received some constructive help by being part of the Roseta study being conducted here in UK which aims to encourage people to work through issues which may contribute to them failing to maintain treatment regimes.

This is such a hard choice. I decided after much research to not take them. 58 at dx, stage 1, grade 1, no nodes, 5mm, clear margins. Did radiation. Predict shows no benefit of AIs to longevity, but no data on recurrence. I’m following Eat to Beat disease, keto, intermittent fasting with Dr Mindy Pelz with a minimum of 13 hours of fasting every 24 hours - more like 16-18. She cited a study (search it) that fasting at least 23 hours a day reduced recurrence of breast cancer by 62%. I’ve opted for quality of life. Hope I’m right!

**meant 13 hours a day

I did my first long fast when I started Anastrozole. (The Zolodex shot did not cause me any significant side effects but I was MISERABLE the first two weeks when we added the AI). I fasted 72 hours. I never in a million years thought I'd be able to do it, but I did and the relief from symptoms was seriously remarkable! Since the long fast, I'm intermittent fasting 12-16 hours. The further I get away from the long fast, the more the brain fog and fatigue seem to be reappearing. I'm currently researching how often I can do a long fast. Prior to stage 1, grade 2, no nodes, 11 mm IDC with Lobular features I was a healthy, active 42 year old. I had a mastectomy and 4 rounds of chemo as my tumor showed as high risk for reoccurrence. I'm going to try my hardest to stick with the suggested standard of care from my Onc but I don't think I'm willing to give up my active lifestyle if we can't figure out the long term solution. I've listened to a couple podcasts with Dr Mindy. I'll check out the book you mentioned as well! Please post if you find anything else promising.

I have experience with Aromatase inhibitors causing me to go from previously moderate hypertension to Labile Hypertension after taking one for 3 months. I now have BP that spikes up to 195/95 over & over at night, and down to 100/56 in the daytime. I went off the drug and am now on Fulvestrant shots. It is not worth it to sacrifice my cardiac health if you already have some problems like moderate, drug-controlled hypertension or other cardiac problems. I will say that the Fulvestrant has brought my spikes down to more normal ranges, thank goodness. The one report I have found about AI's & cardio risks is on this:
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.119.044750

Thanks I ordered it from Amazon. Helps at night. Also doing exercises
Encouraging that you didn’t have surgery and I am not the only one.

Glad you are doing better. Each one of us reacts to these meds differently. I really do think you have to listen to your body

Everyone’s story is different. I’m halfway through listening to “The Metabolic Approach to Cancer” by Dr. Nasha Winter and really trying to get at the underlying causes of cancer. I’ve (mostly) removed bad oils, eat organic wherever possible, and have almost eliminated gluten. My goal is to blend traditional approaches (surgery and radiation for me) with natural prevention. I’m a work in progress. My oncologist is not supportive of me shunning the AIs, but I have a 5% chance of recurrence and the AIs would take that to 2.5%, but at a large cost to quality of life. I don’t take anything but a statin and I just don’t want on that slippery slope of taking the AIs and then five other things to combat the symptoms- not to mention hair loss, etc…. I don’t take the decision lightly, but given all my research, I feel empowered I’m on the right path for me and my particular circumstances. (My cancer - invasive, ducal carcinoma - er+/pg+ is slow growing so chemo was inapplicable since it targets rapidly growing cells). No one can get us to 0% chance of recurrence so we all do the best we can.

I decided against it. 66 and June will be a year.