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Aromatase Inhibitors: Did you decide to go on them or not?
Nanaloves: I’m about to start arimidex and just feel that the contraindications , bone issues etc. are overwhelming. I’m 70 years old, dodged a bullet I feel with zero stage DCIS but the follow up is pretty much no different then if it was more aggressive. I’ve just done 33 treatments of radiation and now they advise arimidex as a preventative. I’m not sure with the beginnings of arthritis and lower back. sensitivity already that I should take it. Anyone not take it and not have a recurrence within the 5 years.
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Hi, I am just joining today. It is recommended that I start with anastrozole after my radiation. So I have a few weeks (15 treatments) until I need to decide.
I was at the medical oncologist yesterday and I am trying to weigh the risk-benefits of the side effects.
In the long run is it worse to have the DCIS come back or have osteoporosis?
It doesn't make sense to me to be potentially miserable for the next 5 years for a chance of something that isn't life threatening returning.
Is anyone checking out natural ways to lower estrogen without the side effects?
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1 ReactionI did not take it. My BC was Stage 1 with a 1.1 cm lump. I received 28 days of raidation as well. Im happy to say that I'm 5 years out since I was diagnosed. I have bone issues as well. Good luck with your journey.
@rosiebee
Your individual diagnosis should guide your decision. Opinions from others based on different factors should not influence your decision. AIs save lives. For those who have a high chance of recurrence the drugs significantly help reduce recurrence. But for patients who have a lower likelihood of recurrence the side effects may not be worth it. Work with your medical team to decide. There’s no way of knowing what any outcome will be when there are so many variables. Do what is right for you regardless of what others choose to do.
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3 ReactionsI had zero stage later to be downgraded to non cancer but abnormal and did not choose to take Tamoxifen nor AI. 4.5 years later I was diagnosed with LCIS grade 1a .7mm no node involvement. Were they related? I will never know! But 13 chemos, 15 immunotherapy, survery, 5 days radiation, I am limping through various Ai's hoping to find one that does not, after several months of use, make me totally miserable. I am hoping to move toward baby tam at my next oncologist meeting.
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2 ReactionsI had a 2mm tumor removed, radiation and chemo. I refused taxmoxifen and others and I am 5 years past the treatment and no signs of malignancy at age 84.
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2 Reactions@raebaby just curious why you refused tamoxifen? I’m 83 and just diagnosed with TNBC.
@jinglem It was one of several I started for a very short time. My memory of went on 5 years ago is foggy now. I felt horrible during menopause, very imotional. So, I want what little estrogen I have left. As it is, I'm aging well even my skin is pretty nice. I travel all over by myself .
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1 ReactionUnlike you, I was HER2 + and estrogen receptive. I'd been taking estrogen all the way up until the time I developed the tumor at 79.
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2 Reactions@raebaby thank you for answering. At 83, pretty sure I don’t have any estrogen left! And my skin is full of sun damage sadly. I travel all over also and have been in over 50 countries, but this diagnosis has me feeling old, but the battle begins!
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3 Reactions@rosiebee My baseline Dexascan showed I already had severe Osteoporosis. I never new thyroid medication could cause it. I started Anastrozole anyway and had terrible brain fog. I switched to Letrozole and didn't feel much better. Now I'm on tamoxifen and seem to be tolerating it ok with the exception of water retention. Everything has side effects so you may have to try a few.