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

If all else fails I can go back on the Tamoxifen.

thank you. I started with the Tamoxifen because my onc wanted me to confer with my bone doc before she switched me to the anastrozole as I have been on Prolia for a couple of years, and my bones are not too good. My onc believes the AI's are more effective in preventing a recurrence in post menopausal women and said the Tamoxifen could cause blood clots and uterine cancer. My endocrinologist said I was good to go on the AI.
I'm afraid to start the Exemestane but will do so tonight and hope for the best.

Good luck with the Exemestane, Patty. I had extreme problems with Anastrozole I stayed on it for nearly a year and a half and after trying others, ended up with Tamoxifen. I've been on it since December 2019, and this has been the best for me so far.

I had many bouts a day of diarrhea while on Anastrozole. Took a 3 week break and pretty well back to normal. Onc switched me to Exemestane. I will start that this evening.

Yes they do watch you carefully, but did they tell you - if it returns it may NOT come back as breast cancer. Most likely places it returns is Brain, Bones, Lungs, Liver. I heard about a lady who had that same plan (a double mastectomy if it returned), but it came back as brain cancer (breast cancer in the brain) and she died. I had stage 1 IDC and had a lumpectomy with 21 radiation treatments, with no chemo. Yes we must all make our choices as to quality of life but make sure you are completely informed. So that is why I'm taking Exemestane and hope to go at the least the full 5 years. But my bones were good, so that is a factor. I did not have thyroid cancer, but I do take thyroid meds - that is a pain getting them at the correct dosage. Good luck with radiation.

Your case seems almost identical to mine. i had stage zero dcis and had a lumpectomy. The only glitch is I have a chek2 gene. I start radiation Friday, but I am very against taking anything. I also have osteopenia and just cannot see tipping that scale and having more issues. To make matters worse I had thyroid cancer and am on meds for that which took me two years to get straight. They showed me the numbers. It is 87 percent at 5 years with meds and 83 percent without. What I feel they leave out is the quality of life. If mine returns then I am going straight to a bilateral mastectomy. The good thing about cancer centers is they watch you very carefully. Good Luck. They told me I have til July to make up my mind.

I started on Letrozole. Switched after 2years to Exemestane. It is a little kinder to my joints. At times I take a week off, about once a year,to kind of reset. That little break ets me get back to feeling more normal and my doc said is fine to do. I guess it is worth the side effects to increase my likely hood to prevent recurrence. Stage 2b- bi-lateral breast cancer, er +

Yes I’m going to try it. Thanks for the support group contact

@pattycincinnati
Hi, Patti -- I found mine at https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/FindLocation

@mugs24cancer while not new to Mayo Clinic Connect, I see you've just recently made your first post. What type of breast cancer did you have?

@cindylb always good to be able to share some good news. With COVID-19, teleconsults will increasingly become the norm where suitable. To prepare for your upcoming phone follow-up, you may appreciate reading the tips other members share in this discussion:
- Telemedicine: How to make the most of a virtual doctor visit https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-telemedicine-its-a-brave-new-world/

@pattycincinnati welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You ask "how do I find a support group?" I'd like to answer, You have! Right here on Mayo Clinic Connect. There may be local support groups in your area as well. However, with COVID-19, many of those have either been cancelled for the time being or moved online. You've got a great group here of fellow breast cancer members. What type of breast cancer did you have? What treatments did you have?