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Aromatase Inhibitors: Did you decide to go on them or not?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: May 12, 2023 | Replies (1190)Comment receiving replies
I've scheduled a 2nd opinion and am considering an AI for my IV stage metastatic breast cancer, it gone to my bones so the posts regarding bone loss are helpful but frightening. I'm hoping the MD I'm trying to see will discuss options as the last one was take what she said or don't take anything.
Replies to "I've scheduled a 2nd opinion and am considering an AI for my IV stage metastatic breast..."
@junec
Have you looked into Ibrance combined with your AI? Two of my breast cancer support friends have done well with this with their metastatic cancer to bone. One is going on 4 years and doing fine. The other was fine for several years and is now undergoing more treatment for disease progression. Here is a site where you can start looking: https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/targeted_therapies/ibrance
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A second opinion is never a waste of time in my opinion. I read like 25% of women that take AI's, have such bad side effects that they quit before the 5 years. And the new standard is to take them for 10 years! There are 3 main drugs and then tamoxifen (which is usually for women under 50). So many factors go into deciding whether to go onto an AI, but just get as informed as you can. There is even a calculator to see if the drug will decrease the re-occurrence of you cancer. Since it is already metastatic - I have no idea if these drugs are effective. I have not suffered any bone loss & I take 4,000 units of D3 Oil daily and 1,000 of calcium. Every person is different with side effects and only you can make the decision with a doctor you can TRUST. Good luck.