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

AI’s are more effective in post menopausal women. I’m on the border so starting with Tamoxifen and following my hormones to switch over to AI. Reading the side effects is overwhelming.

Thank you for your quick reply. I also had a lumpectomy with no node involvement. A protein beam wasn’t offered. I didn’t think tamoxifen was an option for us post menopausal gals. I’ll mention that if the other AIs are a problem. Best to you!

Any side effects from Tomixifen?

Please, regarding osteoporosis, talk to your oncologist about taking calcium and vitamin D, and referring you to a physical therapist to recommend weight bearing exercises. My oncologist has ordered Zoledronic acid (Reclast, Zometa) which also has some slight anti-metastasis action. Stay here, do not give up.

When I was diagnosed because of the location of the tumor we started Anastrozole six weeks before surgery to shrink the tumor. I was never told if that was successful or not but was excited after surgery and a clear PET scan and looked at this drug as an "easy" way to manage my cancer since I opted out of radiation and chemo that was suggested as "preventative". We talked about staying on it for 10 years, to "make sure". I overlooked the side effects in the beginning, insomnia (I would sleep when I could) joint pain, digestive issues, etc. but after I had taken it for 18 months my blood pressure had jumped over 40 pts., I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, I was in such terrible pain with my joints that I ended up in PT. At that point I decided at the age of 76 to quit the medication as quality of life is more important to me than the number of years on this earth and I have been off of it for 7 months, it is the best I've felt in two years. It is a personal decision, not entered into lightly, I am trying to take each day at a time, I am scheduled for a mammogram soon and pray that all will be clear. If not, I will deal with it then. All the options had similar or worse side effects so I wasn't interested in "experimenting". Stay tuned, may your journey be one of peace and confidence in the decision you make being the right one for you.

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Insight: We swim in an ocean of uncertainty. Just as fish can't afford to be afraid of water, we can't afford to be fearful of uncertainty.

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Remember you are in charge of your healthcare. You have to process the information they give you and make a decision that you feel is right for you. I have been off the med for seven months and I can say it took at least six months to feel "normal" for me and my age. It is better each month but it takes time. When I started having problems with my big toe, I told everyone that was the last place the med was, I was joking but the toe is fine now. The oncologist offered up other alternatives but admitted they probably would produce the same effects, Tamoxifen was not an option for me, too many serious issues with that drug. At any rate, PT helped the knee quite a bit, I don't get enough exercise but with the cold and ice settling in it is going to be more difficult. I will add you to my growing list of people needing prayers, hang in there, it will get better.

I have the side effects but I do what I can to stay active and deal with them. If in the end, it prevents my cancer from returning from which there likely is no way back, I will deal with the aches and pains from anastrazole. I am okay with that but everyone is free to make an informed decision based on their tolerance and outlook. And people are affected differently and to different degrees and what they can or want to tolerate.