@vegada
my surgeons lab report gave a chance of return after surgery ( .9 mm tumor and no lymph nodes) at 10% and with aromotose inhibitor for 5 years it would be a 3% chance. I did have 10 sessions of radiation, early morning and late afternoon for five days.
Glad you asked! I started my post because so many gave up on taking the AI or switched to another aromatose inhibitor.
@vegada
my surgeons lab report gave a chance of return after surgery ( .9 mm tumor and no lymph nodes) at 10% and with aromotose inhibitor for 5 years it would be a 3% chance. I did have 10 sessions of radiation, early morning and late afternoon for five days.
Glad you asked! I started my post because so many gave up on taking the AI or switched to another aromatose inhibitor.
@vegada
my surgeons lab report gave a chance of return after surgery ( .9 mm tumor and no lymph nodes) at 10% and with aromotose inhibitor for 5 years it would be a 3% chance. I did have 10 sessions of radiation, early morning and late afternoon for five days.
Glad you asked! I started my post because so many gave up on taking the AI or switched to another aromatose inhibitor.
I wish they had more research on intermittent or lower dosing. Most doctors focus on standard of care based on old research. Sadly about 50% stop taking AI altogether due to side effects. With more comprehensive research (that includes BC stage, patient current estrogen level, age, etc) maybe more doctors would be willing to adjust dosage and more patients would stay on AI.
I understand why many doctors won’t deviate from standard of care ( potential law suit). With the help of Artificial Intelligence and chat groups like this, more BC survivors are being supported to ask questions and making informed decisions. I decided on taking every other day. My BC was small, early stage. No lymph nodes. My estrogen level low. Pre BC I have osteoporosis. Hypertension and high cholesterol (all being treated). Reality is at 77 I have a greater chance of dying from other medical conditions. Based on this I’m taking AI every other day rather than not at all. I’d prefer to take 0.05 mg but not an option unless a doctor agrees (that dose would have to be ordered and made up by a compounding pharmacy). For now, I’m okay with my decision.
I’m taking every other day for a month (without my oncologist’s approval). No side effects so far. I thought best for me since I’m 77, low estrogen level, stage 1, small and no lymph nodes. I already have osteoporosis, high cholesterol and high BP and didn’t want to risk making this worse. I had radiation and think my surgeon will be okay with my decision. She may agree to ordering 0.05 which I’ll then take daily. That lower dose must be made by a compounding pharmacy.
@myoga I have finally given up. I've never felt so bad and almost bedridden in my whole life. 2 days before Christmas I stopped anastrozole. It is now December 31 and I'm finally starting to feel a little bit better. I can't live like that I'd rather be dead so that's I guess what I've chosen. No more drugs. I know I'm facing almost certain death but I'm 80 years old and I've lived a full life. Why am I hanging on to it for. My faith is strong and what will be will be.
@saraabrooks This could have been written by me. I know it is so hard to deal with the side effects, and everyone is a little different. I am coming to the same conclusion...I can't live with painful joints, insomnia, thinning hair, fatigue, sweating and hot flashes, gastro issues, weight gain, and on and on. I, too, am older - just turned 76 - and for the little time I have left, I would rather enjoy it than be so miserably tired and feeling so badly.
We'll see where I go with this but I am very serious about stepping back from anastrozole altogether.
Bless you....I don't know your exact situation (Had surgery? No surgery and current breast cancer?) but I know you will make the best decision for you! Thinking of you!
I have been taking Anastrozole for 3 full months. I too had stage 1a invasive ductal carcinoma with no lymph nodes/lumpectomy,radiation and finishing my year of targeted therapy in July. I have severe arthritis in my knees for years and pain in my right groin and hip for about a year . I think my groin pain when walking has been exasperated by my cancer treatment but not sure if the arthritis has just worsened because of age . I am a healthy 80 year old. So far I haven’t experienced any significant side effects from the Anastrozole that I am aware of , however I am aware side effects can appear anytime. I plan on asking my oncologist her thoughts on Claritin to help with this joint pain if it is related to my targeted treatment of herceptin and the possibility the Anastrozole will also contribute to my pain . Any thoughts ?
I have been taking Anastrozole for 3 full months. I too had stage 1a invasive ductal carcinoma with no lymph nodes/lumpectomy,radiation and finishing my year of targeted therapy in July. I have severe arthritis in my knees for years and pain in my right groin and hip for about a year . I think my groin pain when walking has been exasperated by my cancer treatment but not sure if the arthritis has just worsened because of age . I am a healthy 80 year old. So far I haven’t experienced any significant side effects from the Anastrozole that I am aware of , however I am aware side effects can appear anytime. I plan on asking my oncologist her thoughts on Claritin to help with this joint pain if it is related to my targeted treatment of herceptin and the possibility the Anastrozole will also contribute to my pain . Any thoughts ?
@jsparkle42 Clearly you & I are on a similar path. I am concerned about bone density issues along with all of the issues you listed. I find oncologists to be vague … possibly the research isn’t clear or maybe they just really don’t know. I have 5 more Herceptin infusions to go and am questioning their value.
I have been taking Anastrozole for 3 full months. I too had stage 1a invasive ductal carcinoma with no lymph nodes/lumpectomy,radiation and finishing my year of targeted therapy in July. I have severe arthritis in my knees for years and pain in my right groin and hip for about a year . I think my groin pain when walking has been exasperated by my cancer treatment but not sure if the arthritis has just worsened because of age . I am a healthy 80 year old. So far I haven’t experienced any significant side effects from the Anastrozole that I am aware of , however I am aware side effects can appear anytime. I plan on asking my oncologist her thoughts on Claritin to help with this joint pain if it is related to my targeted treatment of herceptin and the possibility the Anastrozole will also contribute to my pain . Any thoughts ?
@jsparkle42 I am taking Anastrozole and am realizing how this drug has done damage to my bones. Oncologist added Alendronot (Fosamax) to my medication list and it has its own set of issues. Looking for something to help with bone density that is over-the-counter available.
@jsparkle42 I am taking Anastrozole and am realizing how this drug has done damage to my bones. Oncologist added Alendronot (Fosamax) to my medication list and it has its own set of issues. Looking for something to help with bone density that is over-the-counter available.
@jwmusic65 Something I recently started taking is BioSil (choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid) I heard about it from someone else on this group. It takes time to build up for bone density but it's scientifically proven to do so. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8480141/
I forgot to add that I am taking the liquid drop version because I can't stand swallowing any additional pills anymore. I have been on it for about 6 weeks now. I feel like I am seeing some changes in my nail growth and maybe a little extra hair starting to grow back on my head but it's still kind of early to know for sure how much it will help with all the issues I am taking it for.
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@vegada
my surgeons lab report gave a chance of return after surgery ( .9 mm tumor and no lymph nodes) at 10% and with aromotose inhibitor for 5 years it would be a 3% chance. I did have 10 sessions of radiation, early morning and late afternoon for five days.
Glad you asked! I started my post because so many gave up on taking the AI or switched to another aromatose inhibitor.
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1 Reaction@lizr5678 Was this the Oncotype test?
@vegada
it was or similar test
@lizr5678
I wish they had more research on intermittent or lower dosing. Most doctors focus on standard of care based on old research. Sadly about 50% stop taking AI altogether due to side effects. With more comprehensive research (that includes BC stage, patient current estrogen level, age, etc) maybe more doctors would be willing to adjust dosage and more patients would stay on AI.
I understand why many doctors won’t deviate from standard of care ( potential law suit). With the help of Artificial Intelligence and chat groups like this, more BC survivors are being supported to ask questions and making informed decisions. I decided on taking every other day. My BC was small, early stage. No lymph nodes. My estrogen level low. Pre BC I have osteoporosis. Hypertension and high cholesterol (all being treated). Reality is at 77 I have a greater chance of dying from other medical conditions. Based on this I’m taking AI every other day rather than not at all. I’d prefer to take 0.05 mg but not an option unless a doctor agrees (that dose would have to be ordered and made up by a compounding pharmacy). For now, I’m okay with my decision.
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Hug
5 ReactionsI’m taking every other day for a month (without my oncologist’s approval). No side effects so far. I thought best for me since I’m 77, low estrogen level, stage 1, small and no lymph nodes. I already have osteoporosis, high cholesterol and high BP and didn’t want to risk making this worse. I had radiation and think my surgeon will be okay with my decision. She may agree to ordering 0.05 which I’ll then take daily. That lower dose must be made by a compounding pharmacy.
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Helpful -
Hug
5 Reactions@saraabrooks This could have been written by me. I know it is so hard to deal with the side effects, and everyone is a little different. I am coming to the same conclusion...I can't live with painful joints, insomnia, thinning hair, fatigue, sweating and hot flashes, gastro issues, weight gain, and on and on. I, too, am older - just turned 76 - and for the little time I have left, I would rather enjoy it than be so miserably tired and feeling so badly.
We'll see where I go with this but I am very serious about stepping back from anastrozole altogether.
Bless you....I don't know your exact situation (Had surgery? No surgery and current breast cancer?) but I know you will make the best decision for you! Thinking of you!
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Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsI have been taking Anastrozole for 3 full months. I too had stage 1a invasive ductal carcinoma with no lymph nodes/lumpectomy,radiation and finishing my year of targeted therapy in July. I have severe arthritis in my knees for years and pain in my right groin and hip for about a year . I think my groin pain when walking has been exasperated by my cancer treatment but not sure if the arthritis has just worsened because of age . I am a healthy 80 year old. So far I haven’t experienced any significant side effects from the Anastrozole that I am aware of , however I am aware side effects can appear anytime. I plan on asking my oncologist her thoughts on Claritin to help with this joint pain if it is related to my targeted treatment of herceptin and the possibility the Anastrozole will also contribute to my pain . Any thoughts ?
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@jsparkle42 Clearly you & I are on a similar path. I am concerned about bone density issues along with all of the issues you listed. I find oncologists to be vague … possibly the research isn’t clear or maybe they just really don’t know. I have 5 more Herceptin infusions to go and am questioning their value.
@jsparkle42 I am taking Anastrozole and am realizing how this drug has done damage to my bones. Oncologist added Alendronot (Fosamax) to my medication list and it has its own set of issues. Looking for something to help with bone density that is over-the-counter available.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@jwmusic65 Something I recently started taking is BioSil (choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid) I heard about it from someone else on this group. It takes time to build up for bone density but it's scientifically proven to do so.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8480141/
I forgot to add that I am taking the liquid drop version because I can't stand swallowing any additional pills anymore. I have been on it for about 6 weeks now. I feel like I am seeing some changes in my nail growth and maybe a little extra hair starting to grow back on my head but it's still kind of early to know for sure how much it will help with all the issues I am taking it for.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction