stop the madness

Posted by jeaniebean @jeaniebean, Nov 22, 2020

I just stopped taking my AIs. I just cannot take it anymore. In 3 days I can walk again, I have clear brain thinking, my fingers dont ache, my bones dont ache, and I am not afraid anymore......

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@cctoo

How do we know that als....ex. Anastrasole, etc., prevent recurrence? I have heard they not always do...same with chemo and radiation.

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From what I understand, research has shown that AI's (and tamoxifen to a bit lesser degree) provide three benefits: they reduce the risk of a local recurrence by about 50%, reduce the risk of a distant (metastatic) recurrence by about 35-40%, and reduce the risk of a new primary breast cancer by about 50%. While it is often said that lumpectomy followed by radiation is at least as effective as mastectomy in treating breast cancer, those of us who have had a lumpectomy have a greater risk for local recurrence and new primaries because we still have our breasts. Risk, generally, is estimated by evaluating tumor size and grade, node involvement, and age. Genetics and family history are also contributing factors. As you can see, there is no treatment plan that can eliminate risk. You can only attempt to reduce it.

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There is proof that these medications work…. Speak to your oncology team!
I don’t understand why people think they don’t work!
No guarantee it’s going to keep everyone alive… but if it helps one person… that person could be you!
I just don’t get all the negativity about proof! There is proof♥️If your specific cancer is responsive to these meds…. If your doctor suggests them…. It’s bc your doctor has the facts.
I hate to put this out there but there are soooo many who refuse these drugs and most def have recurrence… that there is proof up!
Again it’s a personal decision..

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@cctoo

How do we know that als....ex. Anastrasole, etc., prevent recurrence? I have heard they not always do...same with chemo and radiation.

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Well as a high risk patient… I do believe I am proof that they worked for me. I am 10 years out.
I really in my heart believe they have kept me healthy and alive… I did tamoxifen 5 years, and I am in Arimidex going into my 5th year. I have had mild bone pain just these past few months… I can deal with it!
I am actually nervous to go off. It’s a fact that estrogen breast cancers have a high rate of recurrence later in years… 10 15,20 years later! If I could stay on this meds I would!
My opinion…I love my oncologist and trust her 100%! Together we are fighting to keep me alive♥️

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@joy60

Has anyone looked im into balancing hormones naturally? These drugs scare me. At 60 I need a quality of life not misery and pain.

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60 is young and I am gonna be 60 this month… on meds and have great quality of life!!♥️

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@lisajoann

Well as a high risk patient… I do believe I am proof that they worked for me. I am 10 years out.
I really in my heart believe they have kept me healthy and alive… I did tamoxifen 5 years, and I am in Arimidex going into my 5th year. I have had mild bone pain just these past few months… I can deal with it!
I am actually nervous to go off. It’s a fact that estrogen breast cancers have a high rate of recurrence later in years… 10 15,20 years later! If I could stay on this meds I would!
My opinion…I love my oncologist and trust her 100%! Together we are fighting to keep me alive♥️

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You are very fortunate. Not everyone has only mild pain..for some like me, I was unable to function due to severe pain and other side effects. And if you had other treatment that .. not the als, imay be why you are in remission.

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@ellerbracke

After reading all the comments about side effects of various estrogen blockers, I want to add some encouraging news as well. I have been taking Letrozole now for about 14 months, and so far, other than some initial moderate joint pain in my hips during the first 4 weeks, have experienced no side effects whatsoever. No hot flashes, pains, stiffness, head shaking, trigger fingers, mental impairment. Just saying: some of us are lucky - I did not realize what I could have had to deal with. Anxiety: some, but not because of medication. Just general worry about cancer coming back, somewhere, sometime.

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Thanks for posting♥️

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@cctoo

You are very fortunate. Not everyone has only mild pain..for some like me, I was unable to function due to severe pain and other side effects. And if you had other treatment that .. not the als, imay be why you are in remission.

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I did have chemo and radiation also. My oncology team highly suggested these medications and I followed their advice.
I will never know the outcome if I had not followed, this is true.
My doctor would always say when questioned… In my 30+ years in my career this meds helped more people then hurt them. I had to go with that ♥️

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@jkh

Jeaniebean did you try different estrogen blockers? The reason I ask, is I am experiencing multiple symptoms that have become challenging to say the least. When I go to the Oncolgist appointment in a few weeks I’m going to ask to try a different one. I have been on anastrozole for 2 years now. With the pain in the joints and muscles pain waking me up, hot flashes which now just disturb my sleep, I’ve started with trigger finger which also wakes me up. I am a Yoga teacher and have my own practice which has gone through many changes due to the massive changes in my mind and body. Whew, no one has a clue what we go through when we get that cancer diagnosis and start our new journey through life. So Jeaniebean, what is a DIM supplement and how many estrogen blockers did you try? I am so thankful for all of you that share your stories. Don’t know why but that is hard for me.

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JKH...read book Knockout...it is eye opening!! Many oncologists.have chaptrrs in the book DiM Is estrogen blocker / inhibiter made naturally, not big Pharma..it also has tiny side effects for me but couldn't function on als...am going to look into balancing hormones naturally too...

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@marannolson

I had pain with anastrozole too. So bad I could hardly walk. It took a third med, exemestane, and now I can go for walks and the hot flashes are even better.

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I've heard Female has less bad effects too.

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@lovethedesert

I'm in total agreement. keep a watchful eye and do your mammos, It's taken me 4 months to find a proper oncologist (see him on Friday,) but had long discussions with my surgeon, partial mastectomy and lymph nodes clear. Radiation, meds therapy make me feel this is all worse than the disease. Pray for true cure, but many dr don't want to put "us in charge" It's journey for sure, and thankful for this platform.

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Western doctrts are not trained in any natural treatment for breast cancer or anything else. Research, read, etc.!! They follow only one protocol.... Be your own advocate!!! It's our life!! Read book Knowout.Doctors who are curing cancer. Many testimonies for each doctor.

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