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

@saucy Have you considered genetic testing?

So far not, I have mammograms twice a year and hopefully if I have to get cancer will catch it early? I'm an international flight attendant and put in 14-16 hour days and can't afford to be tired and nauseous. Most people I have talked to that have to take these drugs have side effects. But welcome all input!

I had genetic testing that's what got me here. Although negative for mutations I had a mutation of unknown significance for breast cancer so oncologist is not sure what it means but because of family history thought I should take the drug. When he talked about side effects he had another drug to counter it. I don't take prescription drugs and really don't want to start down that road.

how do I find a support group?

@mugs24cancer while not new to Mayo Clinic Connect, I see you've just recently made your first post. What type of breast cancer did you have?

@cindylb always good to be able to share some good news. With COVID-19, teleconsults will increasingly become the norm where suitable. To prepare for your upcoming phone follow-up, you may appreciate reading the tips other members share in this discussion:
- Telemedicine: How to make the most of a virtual doctor visit https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-telemedicine-its-a-brave-new-world/

@pattycincinnati welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You ask "how do I find a support group?" I'd like to answer, You have! Right here on Mayo Clinic Connect. There may be local support groups in your area as well. However, with COVID-19, many of those have either been cancelled for the time being or moved online. You've got a great group here of fellow breast cancer members. What type of breast cancer did you have? What treatments did you have?

@pattycincinnati
Hi, Patti -- I found mine at https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/FindLocation

Yes I’m going to try it. Thanks for the support group contact

I started on Letrozole. Switched after 2years to Exemestane. It is a little kinder to my joints. At times I take a week off, about once a year,to kind of reset. That little break ets me get back to feeling more normal and my doc said is fine to do. I guess it is worth the side effects to increase my likely hood to prevent recurrence. Stage 2b- bi-lateral breast cancer, er +

Your case seems almost identical to mine. i had stage zero dcis and had a lumpectomy. The only glitch is I have a chek2 gene. I start radiation Friday, but I am very against taking anything. I also have osteopenia and just cannot see tipping that scale and having more issues. To make matters worse I had thyroid cancer and am on meds for that which took me two years to get straight. They showed me the numbers. It is 87 percent at 5 years with meds and 83 percent without. What I feel they leave out is the quality of life. If mine returns then I am going straight to a bilateral mastectomy. The good thing about cancer centers is they watch you very carefully. Good Luck. They told me I have til July to make up my mind.

Yes they do watch you carefully, but did they tell you - if it returns it may NOT come back as breast cancer. Most likely places it returns is Brain, Bones, Lungs, Liver. I heard about a lady who had that same plan (a double mastectomy if it returned), but it came back as brain cancer (breast cancer in the brain) and she died. I had stage 1 IDC and had a lumpectomy with 21 radiation treatments, with no chemo. Yes we must all make our choices as to quality of life but make sure you are completely informed. So that is why I'm taking Exemestane and hope to go at the least the full 5 years. But my bones were good, so that is a factor. I did not have thyroid cancer, but I do take thyroid meds - that is a pain getting them at the correct dosage. Good luck with radiation.