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Alternative to Tamoxifen other than AI
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Sep 5 11:35pm | Replies (49)Comment receiving replies
I took 5 years of tamoxifen, followed by 10 years of anastrozole and although there were side effects, they were not debilitating.
I was in my 30’s, so my decisions would have been very different if I was in my 80’s. My decisions were helped by remembering that cancer has some pretty terrible side effects too. This made the hot flashes that last for hours more bearable and having to keep walking for the stiffness less irritating.
I know some women have very, very bad side effects, but there are more women who make it through the course of treatment, they just aren’t the ones typically posting on forums needing support.
Each of us has to decide what we can tolerate based on our own reaction to these medicines, but I would talk my doctor about quality of life before I give up on treatment. Likewise I would not refuse a treatment based on the reaction of another person. Maybe you will be one of those who has relatively no side effects and like @mir123 said you can always change course if it is too hard.
How long have you been on letrozole? How are you doing so far?
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Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve only been taking letrozole for a month but it’s scary to think all the possible side/after effects caused by taking it. At 78 I’ve been in relatively good health other than lumpectomy 24 years ago. Now invasive lobular carcinoma—after being told I had “nothing to worry about” when I developed an egg-size lump in opposite breast. So for over 18 months nothing was done until I went to Ob/Gyn after an mri showed endometriosis—another scare but that has been resolved. The Ob/Gyn examined my breast and I immediately saw the concern on her face. Everyone’s experience is different with any meds but I almost feel like they use us as guinea pigs. I’m just skeptical but want to believe my doctor(s). Because I live in a smaller community I’m having to drive 90 miles each way to see oncology surgeon. But I’m also seeing a local oncologist. I just hate the thought of the letrozole leading me to more health issues/meds/further side effects. Thanks for listening and I will try to not stress about what I’m seeing from others and have faith in in good hands. Blessings to you!