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

The studies for estrogen inhibitors show all the drugs are effective in preventing reoccurrence. The patient should choose which has the least side effects

Good morning everyone. Whenever someone posts their side effects of Arimidex (Anastrozole), I realize I'm not alone. I'm 74 and tend to think, "Well, this could be a result of my age", but it turns out that many people on Arimidex are experiencing the same side effects. I've been taking it for a year and a half now. I won't change to another drug because from the posts I've read here, they all seem to have similar or worse side effects. In a recent conversation with my Oncologist I told her I had read that Arimidex seems to have the best success at preventing a recurrence and she agreed. My question to all of you is has anyone who has also taken Arimidex for awhile had a recurrence of cancer?

Thank you!

@francine6829, you may be interested in these 2 discussions about Tamoxifen:

- What problems have you had with Tamoxifen? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-problems-have-you-had-with-tamoxifen/
- Can anyone speak to the pros/cons of arimidex vs. tomoxifen? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/can-anyone-speak-to-the-proscons-of-arimidex-vs-tomoxifen-ive-been-on/

It’s hard to say... I do have some aches and pains in my joints and bones, but I’m not sure what’s causing it. I’m almost 66, and was diagnosed with arthritis about 8 years ago-long before my cancer. I’m not sure if the arthritis is just progressing, or if it’s the cancer meds. This joint pain does seem to be better on the Tomoxifin than Anastrozole, but not enough to draw the conclusion that it’s caused by either medication.

It’s the brain fog that’s the worst for me. I’ve gotten to where I don’t even want to leave my house or interact with others. I repeat myself in conversations and can’t think clearly. I’m very embarrassed by it, so I just keep quiet and stay to myself as much as possible. My oncologist has given me a break for 3 months from the Tomoxifin. My cancer was very slow growing so she felt a break for a few months wouldn’t cause any harm. I do feel better off estrogen reducing drugs, and I believe I can think much more clearly without it.

lisman1408 - Have you had any other side effects from Tamoxifen other than the brain fog and possibly the hives?

I was on Anastrozole for about 6 months and had miserable side effects, the worst was brain fog and I broke out in hives. The Hives are a more rare side effect, but my doctor thinks it was the Anastrozole. She switched me to Tomoxifin and the hives continued but not as severely. I ended up seeing an allergist, who put me on a brief course of steroids which cleared the hives completely. I went back on the Tomoxifin after the hives cleared up. However, I think I’d gladly put up with hives rather than the brain fog and issues with cognitive function. More info at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2831410/

mimi99 or anyone else on Tamoxifen - I am about to start Tamoxifen because the Ais caused too much joint pain. My doctor said some of her patients had leg cramps and took Magnesium. What is your experience with Tamoxifen side effects

Since my mammoprint came back very low, my oncologist put me on tamoxifen. He said it has no joint pain associated with it.

He wanted me to try another and I chose not to