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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.

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judyj4321 | @judyj4321 | 9 hours ago
In reply to @zoro "I had breast cancer and was diagnosed with the atm gene. I had a lumpectomy with..." + (show)
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I had breast cancer and was diagnosed with the atm gene. I had a lumpectomy with radiation, took ansatrozole for fives years, barely tolerated the hip and hands joint pain.. finished the five years and the hands improved but had a hip replacement. Statistically I have a high risk of contracting breast cancer in the other breast if you had a lumpectomy and radiation, with the atm gene. Bingo. I got cancer in the other breast two years after stopping the anastrozole. Had a mastectomy, took letrozole, had bad reaction to that so went on tamoxifen. No reaction to tamoxifen plus tamoxifen helps improve bone health. I am 73. If I were you I would try the drug pay close attention to reaction and switch if drug causes an issue. Anastrozole and letrozole caused me serious issues. Anastrozole caused joint pain. Letrozole caused severe dry mouth.

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Life with Cancer is very scary. I was diagnosed with DCIS Breast Cancer in Jan. 2024. I had a Lumpectomy in March of 2024, followed by Radiation. I then started Anastrozole. My back hurt so badly that I couldn't walk without a cane and still had pain during my cruise in Nov. 2024. After seeing two specialists, receiving cortisone injections in my back three times, and doing everything the doctors prescribed, I finally decided that the Anastrozole was the cause of my pain. After 5 1/2 months on Anastrozole, I stopped taking it. My life became "normal" again. I have now been off Anastrozole for 18 months, and I'm pleased with my quality of life. I will continue to have my yearly Mammograms and yearly appointments with my gynacologist.

I believe that my mother took DES while pregnant with me, and an OB/GYN in 1976 strongly believed that I was a DES Daughter. My mother had HER2 positive breast cancer in 2006, had a Mastectomy, and her Breast Cancer returned in 2015. Verzenio was prescribed for her. She died of Breast Cancer in 2016. I am angry that Breast Cancer is still a problem in 2026, and that more companies aren't addressing all of the issues. DES problems are now evident in the 3rd generation Grandchildren, and, hopefully, will not be apparent in the 4th generation!

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