1. < Breast Cancer

Aromatase Inhibitors: Did you decide to go on them or not?

Posted by nanato6 @nanato6, Oct 12, 2018

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

cancersucks | @cancersucks | Apr 30, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "What did your oncologist say about you going off of them?" + (show)
@francine6829

What did your oncologist say about you going off of them?

Jump to this post

Well he is not happy wanted me to try another . I am looking for a new one .

REPLY
cancersucks | @cancersucks | Apr 30, 2019
In reply to @samy "Hello. New member of the club, here. Stage 1 invasive lobular on the left, LCIS right...." + (show)
@samy

Hello. New member of the club, here. Stage 1 invasive lobular on the left, LCIS right. Lumpectomy surgery couple weeks ago on both. The surgeon says radiation for a month and Arimidex for 5 years. I'm 68 and wondering if I should just do the radiation and screw the hormone stuff. Former smoker with mild COPD/emphysema well controlled, currently on BP and cholesterol meds that are doing fine. The internet research of Arimidex is the reason I'm here. … and frankly, you've all terrified me. Quality of life on any AI sounds like an absolute nightmare.

Jump to this post

And it is preventative. Maybe . I have a 12 percent chance of reoccurrence . I have ilc also . I decided to take my chances and stay on top of my exams and tests

REPLY
francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 30, 2019

@cancersucks How long were you on the AI? I am so struggling with this joint and bone pain. I don't think I can continue.

REPLY
1 reply
gwinter | @gwinter | Apr 30, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "@cancersucks How long were you on the AI? I am so struggling with this joint and..." + (show)
@francine6829

@cancersucks How long were you on the AI? I am so struggling with this joint and bone pain. I don't think I can continue.

Jump to this post

Here is my update...went to second oncologist for second opinion. He answered every one of our questions in a neutral tone and normal words. He explained the importance of taking the AI, but, and this is very important to me, he congratulated me trying arimidex twice and now willing to try aromasin. Next greatness: I asked if I could take it every other day and he said that would be great but why don't I do it every third day instead and try for a month then go to every other day for a month as long as the side effects are bearable. Let him know how it's going and if it gets tough just quit.
He is not a doctor who will add on to meds...
Ok, I am in love!
What a difference! So all I want to say is be your own informed advocate!
This site is wonderful!
Moving on, cancer free now

REPLY
1 reply
francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 30, 2019

I will be very interested in how you do on Aromosin. I have been on it for 2 weeks and the joint pain is awlful.

REPLY
cancersucks | @cancersucks | May 17, 2019
In reply to @batm "I was only on Arimidex for about a month, the side effects were too much; also..." + (show)
@batm

I was only on Arimidex for about a month, the side effects were too much; also experienced an increased heart rate. My resting heart rate should be 60-70, its been floating between 83 and 103. Have no history of heart issues, no family history either. Echo was fine, EKG fine, bp fine, bloodwork fine. Seems coincidental that I’m feeling in now. Anyone else have any heart issues during or after Arimidex?? I’m not willing to try any other AI’s until this is resolved, cardiologist agrees.

Jump to this post

It is a known side effect

REPLY
1 reply
cancersucks | @cancersucks | May 17, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "What did your oncologist say about you going off of them?" + (show)
@francine6829

What did your oncologist say about you going off of them?

Jump to this post

He wanted me to try another and I chose not to

REPLY
1 reply
francine6829 | @francine6829 | May 17, 2019
In reply to @cancersucks "He wanted me to try another and I chose not to" + (show)
@cancersucks

He wanted me to try another and I chose not to

Jump to this post

Since my mammoprint came back very low, my oncologist put me on tamoxifen. He said it has no joint pain associated with it.

REPLY
francine6829 | @francine6829 | May 17, 2019
In reply to @mimi99 "I decided against it. I was diagnosed earlier this year, stage one, negative nodes. I had..." + (show)
@mimi99

I decided against it. I was diagnosed earlier this year, stage one,
negative nodes. I had lumpectomy and 3 proton beam treatments. I am
currently recovering from reverse shoulder replacement, have had two knee
replacements, lots of arthritis, and fibromyalgia. I am almost 70,
currently taking tamoxifen, and fingers crossed evdrything will go well.

Jump to this post

mimi99 or anyone else on Tamoxifen - I am about to start Tamoxifen because the Ais caused too much joint pain. My doctor said some of her patients had leg cramps and took Magnesium. What is your experience with Tamoxifen side effects

REPLY
2 replies
lisman1408 | @lisman1408 | May 18, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "mimi99 or anyone else on Tamoxifen - I am about to start Tamoxifen because the Ais..." + (show)
@francine6829

mimi99 or anyone else on Tamoxifen - I am about to start Tamoxifen because the Ais caused too much joint pain. My doctor said some of her patients had leg cramps and took Magnesium. What is your experience with Tamoxifen side effects

Jump to this post

I was on Anastrozole for about 6 months and had miserable side effects, the worst was brain fog and I broke out in hives. The Hives are a more rare side effect, but my doctor thinks it was the Anastrozole. She switched me to Tomoxifin and the hives continued but not as severely. I ended up seeing an allergist, who put me on a brief course of steroids which cleared the hives completely. I went back on the Tomoxifin after the hives cleared up. However, I think I’d gladly put up with hives rather than the brain fog and issues with cognitive function. More info at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2831410/

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.