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Decide against aromatase inhibitors?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (137)Comment receiving replies
@geet69, your question is commonly asked here on Mayo Clinic Connect. To help you connect with others, I moved your post to this active discussion:
-Decide against aromatase inhibitors?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/decide-against-aromatase-inhibitors/
You may also wish to review these related discussions:
- Aromatase Inhibitors: Did you decide to go on them or not?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/arimidex/
- Aromatase Inhibitors: How to choose and manage side effects?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ai-inhibitors/
You are asking good questions to have an informed discussion with your oncologist. Here are some things to consider.
1. Some women experience no or few manageable side effects. Forums like this one can give a biased perspective since women who have no or few side effects are not seeking answers to help with the side effects.
2. It is a personal choice.
3. Not everyone has the same risk potential.
4. There are several AI options. If one drug causes unwanted side effects, sometimes changing the AI brand can help.
To help you base your decision on YOUR risk profile and the side effects YOU may or may not experience, I would ask the oncologist questions like:
1. What is my risk of recurrence with and without taking an aromatase inhibitor?
2. Can I try an AI and stop if I find the side effects affect my quality of life (as defined by me)?
3. Can switching to another AI help? Or switching to another hormone therapy medication? See all types here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hormone-therapy-for-breast-cancer/about/pac-20384943
I'm confident that your doctor will be interested your personal preferences to help come up with the best treatment plan for you. It's not an easy decision to make.
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@colleenyoung
Thank you Colleen for your posting which, in my opinion, is accurate information.
1 - 4. I am now on Exemestane after trying Anastrozole & Letrozole. Changed after awful headaches and labile blood pressure. Side effects now: some joint pain, night sweats/hot flashes, some thinning of hair and minor headaches. B/P is fine now. I hardly think of the AI now. It's just part of my medical regimen.
It's not a party but certainly all tolerable for me. Changing/trying all the AI's worked for me.
1 - 3. My oncotype was 14. BC in both breasts, BM 2025. Stage 2-3, ER/PR+ negative HER2. Out of 12 lymph nodes, 1 +. That was the game changer for me but I would probably go on the AI even if no positive nodes. That's my personal decision.
Adding on Verzenio or Kisqali has been discussed. But no medical clearance from my cardiologist since I also have heart disease. My onco "thinking" of other medications...will I take them? Don't know right now.
She is happy I am on Exemestane the 1st line of treatment for me. "Probably" will stay only with that. Yes, such decisions are never easy to make.
I am in a couple of support groups via zoom. There are women who are not experiencing side effects at all from their AIs, Verzenio, Kisqali, etc. Yes, it can happen...everyone is different. Always your decision to "try" a drug for your BC and either continue, stop or change.
Options are always there.