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.

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mugs24cancer | @mugs24cancer | Dec 11, 2020
In reply to @jeaniebean "Totally get it. I struggle with walking because of the damage to my feet, but ........" + (show)
@jeaniebean

Totally get it. I struggle with walking because of the damage to my feet, but ..... I have a route thru the house that I take when it is ugly out. I do it 20 times for 1800 steps every day. When I start I am crippled and feet hurt immensely but by the 10th lap I am moving properly. My blood pressure drops too. So I know the importance of movement.... I also bought a vibration platform that helped with my legs. I had a very slow start to healing because of a serious fall in the hospital. I was bedridden for most of the first month. The drugs made me very depressed, and I tried 3 of them. The onco now wants me to try tamoxifin, even tho I have clotting issues. I said no. I have not felt this good all year, and I worry about what else the drugs are doing to my body. I have onset parkinsons now and my head shakes terribly, due to estrogen starvation on the brain. No one tells you anything. I had to find it out when I was looking for other things in my search. When they have a cure that doesnt cause all these other troubles, I will gladly partake, but for now, I do not want to be a guinea pig.

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I had previously had blood clots so when I was put on Tamoxifen I was also prescribed Eliquis. The Eliquis was probably the cause of the gastritis and then tamoxifen aggregated it. Studies show that 14% of people develop gastritis with extended use of Eliquis. Has taken 4 months for the gastritis to subside but have to watch my diet! Due to developing the gastritis was the reason I was switched to letrozole. I no longer take Eliquis either.

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mugs24cancer | @mugs24cancer | Dec 11, 2020
In reply to @jeannie53 "@mugs24cancer Depression has been sneaking in and out of my thoughts lately. I'm the same age..." + (show)
@jeannie53

@mugs24cancer Depression has been sneaking in and out of my thoughts lately. I'm the same age as you and was also diagnosed 65. Not seeing any family other than my husband and daughter is getting to me... thanks Covid. With every new pain I start to wonder is it cancer or just winter in Rhode Island with regular aches and pains. Walking does make me feel better I just have to stop finding excuses not to do it in the cold.

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Very similar! I worry constantly with every little ache and pain that cancer is showing up somewhere different or it is Covid. I do virtually meet with a counselor every other week. It helps! She has given me a lot of coping skills. But, I still experience anxiety and some depression. Just hoping I may be in one of the early groups to get the vaccine. I have also found acupuncture helps. The neuropathy in my fingers and toes is much better after a treatment. I wish I had known that in the beginning, not 18 months later. It would be best to get acupuncture every other week but I am only able to go about once a month.

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1 reply
jeaniebean | @jeaniebean | Dec 11, 2020
In reply to @mugs24cancer "Very similar! I worry constantly with every little ache and pain that cancer is showing up..." + (show)
@mugs24cancer

Very similar! I worry constantly with every little ache and pain that cancer is showing up somewhere different or it is Covid. I do virtually meet with a counselor every other week. It helps! She has given me a lot of coping skills. But, I still experience anxiety and some depression. Just hoping I may be in one of the early groups to get the vaccine. I have also found acupuncture helps. The neuropathy in my fingers and toes is much better after a treatment. I wish I had known that in the beginning, not 18 months later. It would be best to get acupuncture every other week but I am only able to go about once a month.

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I will try to get acupuncture. Covid doesnt scare me here in Canada, I have isolated and very careful. We have only had 85 cases on our whole island. We follow the rules up here... My kids are both self isolating now until Christmas so we can share a meal on Boxing Day...

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1 reply
jeaniebean | @jeaniebean | Dec 11, 2020
In reply to @lovethedesert "Everyone here is a Warrior. Brings tears to my eyes. All this information so heartfelt, but..." + (show)
@lovethedesert

Everyone here is a Warrior. Brings tears to my eyes. All this information so heartfelt, but so diverse so hard to know what course, if any, to take, I go with Jane, I'm 79, active, and off the record, both my primary and surgeon agreed, they got margins and lymph nodes thankfully were clear, I'm not doing anything at this point, like Jane, listening to my body and being overall alert. Quality has to mean something. But it is a highly personal decision and certainly not easy. Sadly I'm still fighting for a proper oncologist, which I do believe is so important to all of us. I know we all pray for a cure, if they could do it with Covid, they can do it for us! Hang in!

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Unfortunately the oncos have a very narrow field of vision. I learned way more from people going through it. I am searching for a doctor that understands. I have a male family doctor that is struggling because his wife also has it. I would like to find a female with knowledge of cancer and not afraid to try natural alternatives..... The oncos are textbook. So much knowledge on here! Together, we can cope thru it all. Alone is very hard!

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trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Dec 11, 2020
In reply to @jeaniebean "I will try to get acupuncture. Covid doesnt scare me here in Canada, I have isolated..." + (show)
@jeaniebean

I will try to get acupuncture. Covid doesnt scare me here in Canada, I have isolated and very careful. We have only had 85 cases on our whole island. We follow the rules up here... My kids are both self isolating now until Christmas so we can share a meal on Boxing Day...

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@jeaniebean
Are you British? My mother was Australian so we know about boxing day, but a lot of Americans don't!

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jeaniebean | @jeaniebean | Dec 11, 2020

No, I am a Canucklehead from the north!

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1 reply
elizm | @elizm | Dec 11, 2020
In reply to @trixie1313 "@jeaniebean On top of everything else, I had a stroke this year that affected my right..." + (show)
@trixie1313

@jeaniebean
On top of everything else, I had a stroke this year that affected my right arm and leg - still have trouble dragging a bit on the leg when I'm tired, but keep walking -- it helps with the circulation and I notice if I don't walk, I stiffen up more. Also have neuroma of foot. I've been putting arnica cream on my ankle and top of foot (I had two bad falls earlier this year and it's taken a long time to heal). The Mayo web site is a good source of information (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352470). You are doing great...keep up the good work!

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@trixie1313
Dear, dear Trixie. You have been put through the tortures of the damned these past years, yet you remain upbeat and supportive of us all. You are my role model for loving kindness and resilience. We are blessed by your indomitable spirit.

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1 reply
sparklegram | @sparklegram | Dec 11, 2020
In reply to @elizm "@trixie1313 Dear, dear Trixie. You have been put through the tortures of the damned these past..." + (show)
@elizm

@trixie1313
Dear, dear Trixie. You have been put through the tortures of the damned these past years, yet you remain upbeat and supportive of us all. You are my role model for loving kindness and resilience. We are blessed by your indomitable spirit.

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Agreed!!!!!

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1 reply
trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Dec 11, 2020

@elizm
That's so sweet of you all....my motto is don't let the guy with the scythe and cowl catch up to you....keep moving and don't let him get on the drop on you!!!

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