five year mark and staying on femara?

kleighsharp

Five years ago, I was diagnosed stage 2B estrogen receptor positive.  One hot node, but all 7 others removed were clear.  I've been extremly healthy after chemo, lumpectomy, radiation and drugs.

In six months I have the choice to go off the drug.  I started on Tomoxifn, moved to Aremidex and recently moved to generic Femara as my hair was thinning from (I think) Aremidex.

Looking for sound advise on stopping the drugs or staying on, considering the ten year studies, I think are inconclusive.

Anyone out there have comparitive information?

sflow

I would like some advice too about staying on arimidex, Karen. I hit my 5 yr mark Nov 15th--my onc said to stay on Arimidex till end of January, but the prescription goes to the end of 2012. Wonder if there is any benefit of taking it longer or every other day or once a week. 

Sandi

sschmidt

My oncologist is keeping me on for another 5 years.  He sad he is doing that with node positive patients.

Ihopeg

My oncologist is leaving the practice next week. She said that in August I should stop taking Femara. I really don't want to. I am switching oncs and maybe the next one will let me stay on it. I feel like it must do something.

wallycat

I think my onco is in favor of just the 5 years total and out....I have done approx 3 years of tamoxifen and now on arimidex. I see her again in March ---my 5 years is up in June 2012.

I have mixed feelings...I hear of women quitting all AIs/tamox and no recurrence and I hear of women getting a recurrence DURING their time on meds...so clearly there is no right answer for any of us.

I know AIs have side effects for the heart, but that is only 23% of patients...bone density ....ack.

I may take evista for a year to strengthen my bones (it acts sort of like tamoxifen but doesn't affect the uterus) and maybe that will give me some peace of mind.

I keep hoping all these vaccines will be a hit within a year   so this would all be a moot point.