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Anastrozole - should I take?
I'm 73, and was recently diagnosed with stage ER/PR+, HER-2- Invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 1a, of the R Breast and had a lumpectomy. I have a 13 Oncotype DX score and negative for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes after doing genetic testing. In 1994, I had stage 1 breast cancer of the L Breast and had chemo and radiation. Then, in 2001, I had a complete hysterectomy (including ovaries) after being diagnosed with stage 1 uterine cancer. The radiation in 1994 caused me to develop a left bundle branch block of the heart. I haven't made a decision whether to take the suggested Anastrozole. I'm considering alternative treatments rather than take Anastrozole because I've heard horror stories about its side effects. I already have macular degeneration, and the left bundle branch block. If you have a similar story, or refused the AI inhibitors because of side effects, could you share it with me?
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This is all a little tricky to follow who's had what, but I think the main focus is on postmen. Ovaries & the clear positives of removing them AND the Positives of Anastrozole outweighing the negatives as to why someone should take it since prescribed it. My differences are Lobular cancer occurring in left B & double mast. 12 yrs ago and some substandard healthcare in Fl. so recurrencesnow '23-24 diag. w/mets. to a vertabrae and prescribed Anastrozole. Like some patients here I'm opting to take half dose of prescribed dose. No evident side affects, BUT my P.A. said that Anastrozole will become drug resistant after approx. 6mos. (like all AI's????? I didn't question this , wondering though...) so that is one reason since I am 5' & 116 lb. and believe in aspects of specificity, uniqueness to everyone's BC presentation and behavior that since I was told the dosage is a "1 sz fits ALL" one that I am going to try a half dose and so far after 6 mos and 2 Cscans the bone cancer lesion hasn't grown I am proceeding the same way. I also though, asked about taking out my ovaries and was told that is not needed... Or is it that that is a certain general protocol since as soon as a Metastatic BC to Bone occurs it is Staged at 4 no matter how small or is 1 lesion. I was told no operation is performed on BC to the bone. I think it is known to spread in later stage or how ever fast growing the type of BC cell it is to organs ....I think the ovaries are quite close to my 1 lesion so I'd really like to know what Dr/ Cancer Ctr. recommended to you that you get your ovaries removed. I think also, some of the recommendations can be dictated by the type of health coverage one has and mine is not that great....But I do intend in general to get a 2nd opinion because of the relative rarity of my BC which is Lobular and there are BC Med Ceters that have particular research ongoing on Lobular where mine and most others do not.
what did you mean "as long as I took a longish walk"? I haven't started my Anastrozole yet but will be soon. Do you take it in the morning or at night? Do you walk right after? How long is longish? Does that help ease the side effects?
I have only had one side effect ,it makes me sleepy. So I read from some on this Mayo connect that they began taking it after dinner. 6/7 They sleep right thru any side effect and rest well. That has worked for me to. I walk in the morning for about 30 minutes now ,it’s suppose to ease achy feeling some have.
If you "Google" (search the web) for "Breast Cancer Recurrence Prevention - An Illustrative Tutorial from Oster Oncology" you'll find a great video on how much breast cancer is reduced by surgery, radiotherapy & AIs. Diet, supplements, etc are also discussed. If you're a person who asks "By how much will my risk be reduced?" this is the video for you.
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2 ReactionsPS--I'm not connected with Oster in any way!
This is a great video. Thanks!
Thank you very much and this was very good and helpful. I see it is five years old and being brand new to breast cancer, and just starting my research, I am wondering if there have been any advancements made in that time. From everything you have learned do you feel like this is still the best Information out there? Thank you so much.
I'm not an expert on research--this is the best thing I found--I didn't realize it was 5 years old. I've searched the web repeatedly but never found anything better. If you can find a more recent presentation of breast cancer recurrence risk, please post it!
Hi How are you doing ? I think your post was over 1.5 yrs ago now. Are you taking Anastrozole? I have been taking a very low dose of it for about 1 yr.
What are the horror stories you or others have heard of or experienced? I just started having sharp pain in one of both? knees if I kneel down directly on it--almost as thought there is no skin just a raw bones and I had to fall over to take the sharp pressure off of it. The other concerning thing is a feeling in my right thumb of pain and stiffness when I wake up, it gets better as day goes on. I have been very active, more than I want with shoveling some snow and packing and rushing through airports and my dog's care is difficult where I have to bend down a lot.
I wonder if anyone can explain what exactly Zomeda does in the body --is it infusing calcium? name _____Phosphate? --I know theres a name for the infusion . When does it cause lock jaw to a patient? I heard something like this, permanent lock jaw.
I lasted 12 months and the side effect hit with a vergence. I stopped the drug because I could not take the pain. It's been three months and starting to see some improvements. I m 77 and just want to live without pain so I made the right choice for me. Hugs to you all and hope you feel better. Wish I had known more about what could happen with side effects, should have done my homework, I was just told maybe some hot flashes...right...