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.

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@debbie2721

Can you explain about the calcium score? Is this because your cholesterol went up. Mine has gone up but I wonder if it is because I haven't watched my diet over the last couple of months.

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Cholesterol goes up with Leterozole as does triglycerides.

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@debbie2721

Can you explain about the calcium score? Is this because your cholesterol went up. Mine has gone up but I wonder if it is because I haven't watched my diet over the last couple of months.

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Calcium score is a prognostic indicator of arterial health ( current level of plaque build up). It’s a low power CT. One could have an elevated cholesterol but not necessarily have arterial plaque build up … in my case it was zero so doc not concerned about my cholesterol level.
I do pay attention to nutrition and cholesterol .

Hope this helps!

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@anjalima

I had two right breast tumors; 99% ER +, 98%PR+, HER2-, stage 2 IDC. Had unilateral mastectomy , no chemo recommended as a very favorable ONCOTYPE, and opted out of radiation ( which seemed scary to me) . Also breast surgeons did not see big value in my case. Doing annual MRI and Mammo at 6 months intervals. Both negative one year out from first (mastectomy ) surgery.

On AI for 11 months, mild joint discomfort worked out with walking, stretching, yoga and resistance ( for bones). Very effective and helpful… don’t even need Tylenol… but I worried about the unseen(felt) side effects.

Mitigation is my game!

BONE HEALTH: D3, K2, multi, curcumin 95, C, and absorbable food based calcium ( for bones) niacin ( for cholesterol). Try to hit 1000 grams of calcium from food plus from 200 multi-Vit. Biotin for some hair thinning.

Did DEXA last week and essentially no change from baseline 3 years ago and pre AI last April. One hip improved .1, one hip decreased .1, L4 lost .1 ( all statistically insignificant). I do consult with endocrinologist as part of mitigation team.

HEART HEALTH :Cholesterol slightly elevated but so was HDL so good ratio remained the same .
Red meat 1-2x month ( maybe), and almost ZERO processed food. Sodium is a bone killer.

Had a calcium score done to make sure plaque not building up. Result :ZERO! Shocked and relieved. ( I thank K2 for this )

Bottom Line: NOT everyone has a significantly difficult reaction ( response) to AI. If it may be beneficial why not try… it is a daily oral pill which has a 50 hour half life that can be stopped at any moment.

I feel safer on this med; I envision it as a daily protection against breast cancer.

I realize that my experience with side effects are mild and tolerable and that’s not the case for some, but it may be worth trying.

Blessings on the path. 🌸

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Can you explain about the calcium score? Is this because your cholesterol went up. Mine has gone up but I wonder if it is because I haven't watched my diet over the last couple of months.

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@orsejr

I had my blood drawn at my oncologists office a couple of weeks ago. I had to inform her about it. It is covered by Medicare . Did you look at Signatera website ? I heard about this on a TV talk show. The website explains how this test is done. Will meet with her in a couple of months to discuss results.

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My oncologist recommended it. I’ve read about it also. I think it’s the way of the future but may, at this point, offer some confusion about what to do when. I’m open to a clinical trial if there is one. I will have a draw at the end of March ( same health center that has my stored tissue). Did not know Medicare would pay. Good to know. Thank you 🙏 Blessings on the path. 🌸

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I had my blood drawn at my oncologists office a couple of weeks ago. I had to inform her about it. It is covered by Medicare . Did you look at Signatera website ? I heard about this on a TV talk show. The website explains how this test is done. Will meet with her in a couple of months to discuss results.

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@orsejr

I have not chosen to take AI or tamoxifen because I couldn’t tolerate the tamoxifen and I have osteoporosis so not eligible for AI unless I take Zometa with it. My Oncotype was 14. IDC estrogen +, 15 mm, negative nodes and grade 2. I am told grade doesn’t really matter anymore unless grade 3. Doctors are relying more on Oncotype score. I have 8% chance of recurrence without endocrine therapy . I was diagnosed at age 67. I am almost 69. I am involved with Signatera . Look it up.

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Would love to hear more about Signatera… looking to get blood draw end of month. No one has been able to talk to me about cost!!! What is your experience with Signatera.?

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@anjalima

I had two right breast tumors; 99% ER +, 98%PR+, HER2-, stage 2 IDC. Had unilateral mastectomy , no chemo recommended as a very favorable ONCOTYPE, and opted out of radiation ( which seemed scary to me) . Also breast surgeons did not see big value in my case. Doing annual MRI and Mammo at 6 months intervals. Both negative one year out from first (mastectomy ) surgery.

On AI for 11 months, mild joint discomfort worked out with walking, stretching, yoga and resistance ( for bones). Very effective and helpful… don’t even need Tylenol… but I worried about the unseen(felt) side effects.

Mitigation is my game!

BONE HEALTH: D3, K2, multi, curcumin 95, C, and absorbable food based calcium ( for bones) niacin ( for cholesterol). Try to hit 1000 grams of calcium from food plus from 200 multi-Vit. Biotin for some hair thinning.

Did DEXA last week and essentially no change from baseline 3 years ago and pre AI last April. One hip improved .1, one hip decreased .1, L4 lost .1 ( all statistically insignificant). I do consult with endocrinologist as part of mitigation team.

HEART HEALTH :Cholesterol slightly elevated but so was HDL so good ratio remained the same .
Red meat 1-2x month ( maybe), and almost ZERO processed food. Sodium is a bone killer.

Had a calcium score done to make sure plaque not building up. Result :ZERO! Shocked and relieved. ( I thank K2 for this )

Bottom Line: NOT everyone has a significantly difficult reaction ( response) to AI. If it may be beneficial why not try… it is a daily oral pill which has a 50 hour half life that can be stopped at any moment.

I feel safer on this med; I envision it as a daily protection against breast cancer.

I realize that my experience with side effects are mild and tolerable and that’s not the case for some, but it may be worth trying.

Blessings on the path. 🌸

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Sounds like you are following through and staying ahead of most concerns. Blessings for your future health walk!

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@elliej

I, too am awaiting a response from anyone who had a low stage/grade w/radiation and has Not chosen to take the AI. Thank you all❤️

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I had two right breast tumors; 99% ER +, 98%PR+, HER2-, stage 2 IDC. Had unilateral mastectomy , no chemo recommended as a very favorable ONCOTYPE, and opted out of radiation ( which seemed scary to me) . Also breast surgeons did not see big value in my case. Doing annual MRI and Mammo at 6 months intervals. Both negative one year out from first (mastectomy ) surgery.

On AI for 11 months, mild joint discomfort worked out with walking, stretching, yoga and resistance ( for bones). Very effective and helpful… don’t even need Tylenol… but I worried about the unseen(felt) side effects.

Mitigation is my game!

BONE HEALTH: D3, K2, multi, curcumin 95, C, and absorbable food based calcium ( for bones) niacin ( for cholesterol). Try to hit 1000 grams of calcium from food plus from 200 multi-Vit. Biotin for some hair thinning.

Did DEXA last week and essentially no change from baseline 3 years ago and pre AI last April. One hip improved .1, one hip decreased .1, L4 lost .1 ( all statistically insignificant). I do consult with endocrinologist as part of mitigation team.

HEART HEALTH :Cholesterol slightly elevated but so was HDL so good ratio remained the same .
Red meat 1-2x month ( maybe), and almost ZERO processed food. Sodium is a bone killer.

Had a calcium score done to make sure plaque not building up. Result :ZERO! Shocked and relieved. ( I thank K2 for this )

Bottom Line: NOT everyone has a significantly difficult reaction ( response) to AI. If it may be beneficial why not try… it is a daily oral pill which has a 50 hour half life that can be stopped at any moment.

I feel safer on this med; I envision it as a daily protection against breast cancer.

I realize that my experience with side effects are mild and tolerable and that’s not the case for some, but it may be worth trying.

Blessings on the path. 🌸

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@catbuddy

I have also chosen not to take the meds, because the increase in probably protection is minimal and because of the possible side effects (I already experience joint pain periodically and am not interested in another menopause!). It’s more a quality-of-life decision, because the increase in probable protection is so small.
I’m 73, Left breast DCIS, stage 0, highly estrogen positive and aggressive cells. The tumor did not leave the milk duct. Lumpectomy was Dec 12, wide margins. Pathology on margins, left and right breasts was negative. I had 16 sessions of radiation, which the radiation oncologist told me would bring me up to about 90% unlikely to get a recurrence. The AI would have added about 5% or so. To me, not enough at that point for me to do the AIs.
Good wishes for a successful outcome, whatever you choose to do!

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cat buddy I agree with you, I am 81. I did just what you did.

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@catbuddy

I have also chosen not to take the meds, because the increase in probably protection is minimal and because of the possible side effects (I already experience joint pain periodically and am not interested in another menopause!). It’s more a quality-of-life decision, because the increase in probable protection is so small.
I’m 73, Left breast DCIS, stage 0, highly estrogen positive and aggressive cells. The tumor did not leave the milk duct. Lumpectomy was Dec 12, wide margins. Pathology on margins, left and right breasts was negative. I had 16 sessions of radiation, which the radiation oncologist told me would bring me up to about 90% unlikely to get a recurrence. The AI would have added about 5% or so. To me, not enough at that point for me to do the AIs.
Good wishes for a successful outcome, whatever you choose to do!

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Thank you for responding! Your input has helped me to understand that so many of us are moving along in the near panic mode, listening and reading so much about treatments and doctors opinions. I just want an uneventful future with best outcomes based on my own body, not the statistical majority. I will move along cautiously getting followup mammos and eating healthy/exercising. Blessings to you❤️

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