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

Posted by nanato6 @nanato6, Oct 12, 2018

Nanaloves: I’m about to start arimidex and just feel that the contraindications , bone issues etc. are overwhelming. I’m 70 years old, dodged a bullet I feel with zero stage DCIS but the follow up is pretty much no different then if it was more aggressive. I’ve just done 33 treatments of radiation and now they advise arimidex as a preventative. I’m not sure with the beginnings of arthritis and lower back. sensitivity already that I should take it. Anyone not take it and not have a recurrence within the 5 years.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 2, 2019
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @mollyjbrown, I appreciate your posting about your experience living with Arimidex (anastrozole). For some people,..." + (show)
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Hi @mollyjbrown, I appreciate your posting about your experience living with Arimidex (anastrozole). For some people, it can certainly be a challenge to manage the side effects. You'll notice that I moved your message to this discussion where women are talking about tough choices: sticking with an aromatase inhibitor and coping with side effects or discontinuing the medication. It is a different risk calculus for everyone and each person experiences side effects differently. Thus, I'm grateful to add your story of how you manage the side effects and the choices you made.

@goldieshostak, you ask a very good question if your risk of recurrence is worth continuing with Arimidex. I encourage to read the post from Molly that was just added above this post. Ultimately the decision is yours. I recommend that you talk with your oncologist to discuss YOUR specific risk of recurrence.

I'm curious if anyone has used the CTS5 calculator (https://www.cts5-calculator.com/) with their oncologist to calculate their risk of recurrence? The tool is meant to be used with your doctor. You can read more about it here: https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/online-tool-predicts-hr-pos-recurrence-risk

Anyone use it with their doc?

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Is the CTS5 calculator the same as the Mamma Print test/ Has anyone had the Mamma Print test? Please google if you had not heard of it. Francine

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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 2, 2019
In reply to @mimi99 "I decided against it. I was diagnosed earlier this year, stage one, negative nodes. I had..." + (show)
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I decided against it. I was diagnosed earlier this year, stage one,
negative nodes. I had lumpectomy and 3 proton beam treatments. I am
currently recovering from reverse shoulder replacement, have had two knee
replacements, lots of arthritis, and fibromyalgia. I am almost 70,
currently taking tamoxifen, and fingers crossed evdrything will go well.

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Any side effects from Tomixifen?

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sandrajo | @sandrajo | Mar 31, 2019

Sorry to read that so many women have had adverse side effects from arimedex. Diagnosed with stage one BC, no lymph involvement, Followed by 28 radiation treatments. I have been taking Arimidex For the past eight months and have Experienced very few side effects. Some hair loss, mid day fatigue, Maybe some brain fog which might be due more to my age than the drug. I have no joint pain nor any other issues related to the drug. Maybe I have been fortunate or those side effects may still be in my future.

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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Mar 26, 2019
In reply to @cancersucks "I had to go off them after 3 months . I am not ready for the..." + (show)
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I had to go off them after 3 months . I am not ready for the nursing home at 64

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What did your oncologist say about you going off of them?

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cancersucks | @cancersucks | Mar 26, 2019
In reply to @batm "I was only on Arimidex for about a month, the side effects were too much; also..." + (show)
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I was only on Arimidex for about a month, the side effects were too much; also experienced an increased heart rate. My resting heart rate should be 60-70, its been floating between 83 and 103. Have no history of heart issues, no family history either. Echo was fine, EKG fine, bp fine, bloodwork fine. Seems coincidental that I’m feeling in now. Anyone else have any heart issues during or after Arimidex?? I’m not willing to try any other AI’s until this is resolved, cardiologist agrees.

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I had to go off them after 3 months . I am not ready for the nursing home at 64

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trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Mar 12, 2019
In reply to @batm "@gwinter - after further discussion with oncologist he agreed I’d probably not tolerate aromasin any better..." + (show)
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@gwinter - after further discussion with oncologist he agreed I’d probably not tolerate aromasin any better than I did the arimidex. I’m just not willing to go thru that again. So new direction is to try tamoxifen, I’ll be starting soon.

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Hoping it works out for you.

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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Mar 12, 2019

What about Femura as an alternative?

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batm | @batm | Mar 12, 2019
In reply to @gwinter "@batm please, let me know how aromasin works!" + (show)
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@batm please, let me know how aromasin works!

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@gwinter - after further discussion with oncologist he agreed I’d probably not tolerate aromasin any better than I did the arimidex. I’m just not willing to go thru that again. So new direction is to try tamoxifen, I’ll be starting soon.

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gwinter | @gwinter | Mar 12, 2019
In reply to @batm "Correct, no new meds until this is resolved. I had lumpectomy last summer followed by radiation...." + (show)
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Correct, no new meds until this is resolved. I had lumpectomy last summer followed by radiation. Given all the side effects I had with Arimidex and now the increased heart rate I’m not certain I’m willing to try aromasin which is what the oncologist has recommended I try next.

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@batm please, let me know how aromasin works!

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trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Mar 12, 2019
In reply to @buckimom "@trixie1313 -Hi Trixie, I have a fabulous daughter (whose twin brother died of cancer at age..." + (show)
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@trixie1313 -Hi Trixie, I have a fabulous daughter (whose twin brother died of cancer at age 15) is a Director of clinical cancer trials for a large company. She put hubby on “a need to know basis” and is a wonderful partner! My husband is who he is and I’m okay with that. He does what ever I ask. It’s all working😊

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So very sorry for the loss of your son. Perhaps that's why your husband has trouble understanding what you are going through - could be he is so very frightened he will lose you and is protecting his emotions. All the best to you.

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