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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trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Oct 17, 2020

In reply to @crazydaisy "Is there anyone out there that did not go on the five year pills?" + (show)

@crazydaisy
Five years? Nope...Unfortunately, I'm on the 10-year plan due to the neuroendocrine cancer of the breast. What I have found though is not to settle for problems with AIs, but to move on to another one if the first or even the second don't work out for you. I was so depressed with the pain and all the other side effects of the first one that I have been pleasantly surprised by the third one I tried and have been doing fairly well on that for a year now.

crazydaisy | @crazydaisy | Oct 17, 2020

Is there anyone out there that did not go on the five year pills?

sparklegram | @sparklegram | Sep 1, 2020

In reply to @djwc "I was on tamoxifen for almost 8 years. (2009) Worst side effects were weight gain &..." + (show)

@djwc, Wishing you a complete recovery.

djwc | @djwc | Sep 1, 2020

In reply to @mugs24cancer "I am experiencing extreme nausea and belching. I have been on tamoxifen for one and a..." + (show)

I was on tamoxifen for almost 8 years. (2009) Worst side effects were weight gain & insomnia.
Prior, I was not able to tolerate Arimidex or Aromasin. Oncologist was surprised that I tolerated tamoxifen so well. Maybe trying a different med will be helpful. These estrogen blocking drugs are strong & powerful but can be difficult to tolerate. But as I’ve said in previous post, they are so important! 3 years after going off tamoxifen, my breast cancer metastasized & is now in my bones. I’m now on letrozole & Ibrance & tolerating well.
@mugs24cancer I hope you can find an alternative to tamoxifen that you can tolerate. Best of luck to you!

mugs24cancer | @mugs24cancer | Sep 1, 2020

In reply to @mimi99 "I decided against it. I was diagnosed earlier this year, stage one, negative nodes. I had..." + (show)

I am experiencing extreme nausea and belching. I have been on tamoxifen for one and a half years. I was also taking Eliquis as blood clots are a side effect of tamoxifen and a blood clot did form at my port site when I had chemo. Just had an EGD that showed chronic gastritis. It has been shown that Eliquis does cause gastritis in 14% of people. Blood thinner was changed to Xarelto. Was off tamoxifen for 6 weeks during all this. I was back to feeling as good as I did before having breast and thyroid cancer! Have been back on the tamoxifen for just a week and am experiencing extreme nausea again. Has anyone else had similar experiences? Any suggestions? Is anyone taking just 10 mg of tamoxifen instead of 20 mg?

jeannie53 | @jeannie53 | Aug 21, 2020

In reply to @trixie1313 "@jeannie53 They were both metastatic Stage 4 when diagnosed. I've been on AIs for over 1..." + (show)

@trixie1313 Thank you for answering my question. I'll be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts about your latest issue.

elizm | @elizm | Aug 21, 2020

In reply to @trixie1313 "@sparklegram We're here in Sonoma County. My son just got back from one fire and was..." + (show)

@trixie 1313
Bless your first responder son for his courage and bravery! I'm thinking that he got those qualities from his mother who never fails to inspire us here.

trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Aug 21, 2020

In reply to @elizm "@cathyhand @trixie1313 Cathy - Hope your hip replacement goes well and that you soon will be..." + (show)

@cathyhand
Cathy, I apologize. I misread your message and thought you had "osteoporosis." Is there any treatment that can help with this?

elizm | @elizm | Aug 21, 2020

In reply to @cathyhand "On Exemestane. 8 years out this November. So far no recurrence. Stage 2 b, 2 positive..." + (show)

@cathyhand @trixie1313
Cathy - Hope your hip replacement goes well and that you soon will be back to normal activities. As to the osteopetrosis, it's my understanding that, unlike osteoporosis, it is an inherited condition (and not due to being on an AI for 8 years). Is that your understanding, too?

trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Aug 21, 2020

In reply to @sparklegram "I'm in Northern CA, too. Really can't open the windows to cool the house in the..." + (show)

@sparklegram
We're here in Sonoma County. My son just got back from one fire and was sent up north again. One cannot worry about oneself when there are so many out there putting their lives on the line for all of us. Sparklegram, you stay safe as well and stay indoors away from the smoke!