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

@marcia115 anastrozole is one of the aromatase inhibitors.

When you say your cancer has "come back," has it spread? Or is it a limited local recurrence? If it spreads, you cannot easily just "have it out." With cancer spread, there are treatments that extend our lives but no cure.

Unfortunately, for those of us with ER+ cancers, risk goes up over the years, not down.

@windyshores my cancer has not spread, it is limited to one spot. I have had cancer of the
lung two years ago so there not sure if after breast surgery I can take radiation. I go Monday
for a consultation.
Marcia115

Good luck!

🍀💗

Wondering about bone density effects and AIs...am about to start Arimidex after a local recurrence of BC (and mastectomy), but just got bone density scan results and shows almost 7% decrease in spine since 2.5 yrs ago. Somewhere I saw a mention that with AIs, there can be about a 2% decrease per year, so if this is correct, I am going to be in bad shape, if I already decrease about 3% per year without AIs (spine now at -3, was -2.5). The surgeon prescribed Fosamax but I am wary of meds. I am on the verge of 71 yrs. Any advice or similar predicament?

@anjalima
I am 81 and I can not afford to lose any more bone--I am not taking the pill the more
I hear about it. Fosamax never ! affects the retina in your eyes, that is really not a good
pill. If you read about it, you will see. I already get shots in my eyes every 5 weeks. your damned
if you do and damned if you don't. I think I have to gamble. my spine and bones are bad, my
eyes are bad, I just want quality of life, I don't want to feel sick or have more problems.
I have the same feelings as you. The doctor said I have a 10% of it coming back. this one took
9 years to the day. they both are estrogen related.

We have tough choices with these unfortunate health issues.

I worry about MBD now 7 mos. On Aromatase. I will have a DEXA at one year( insurance usually only pays every two years) just to see if I’m sliding downhill.

Did you take AI meds 9 years ago and still had recurrence? Did you have a lumpectomy then and radiation instead?

Best to you on your journey. It certainly is important to protect bones for quality of life in the years ahead. 🌸

I did 5 years of letrozole with pretty severe osteoporosis, and I was unable to take meds at the time (MD did not want to give them to me, long story). Bone density dropped the first year, much as it did after menopause, and then the drop was much less for the years after that.

There are several ways to manage this situation: Reclast, Prolia, Tymlos, Forteo, Evenity, during or after cancer meds.

I am on Tymlos now, after finishing cancer meds, and am much stronger. I have to say that tai chi and walking was very helpful while I was on AI's.

Bones can be managed more easily than more cancer!

I just ordered a Tai chi course in hopes of mitigating bone loss while on Aromatase inhibitor. I also do walking and yoga. Calcium ( mostly food sourced) Viamin D3 and K2.

My first concern is to prevent recurrence.

It’s much easier to deal with bone issues then cancer spreading!!
Consider taking the meds♥️♥️🙏
I have been on Tamoxifen and Arimidex …. This is my 10th year and also my last year. I am doing well.
Eat healthy and keep moving!
Stay well😊