switching to arimidex

memphis1211

How long was your 'wash out' period before starting arimidex after being on tamoxifen? I am going to be stopping my tamoxifen in the coming days to switch over to arimidex and have been told my by oncologist that I need to be off of the tamoxifen for 4 weeks with no hormonal therapy at all to wash out the tamoxifen. Is this the standard waiting time? Just wondered what others had to wait.

Febyana

hi memphis1211, my oncology also told me to switch to Arimidex after 2,5years taking Tamoxifen, she said it's an international protocol for the side effects.

Although this year has only 2 years for me taking Tamoxifen but I think Arimidex has a lower side effects than Tamoxifen.

memphis1211

Thanks for replying Febyana.

I plan on switching but I need to stop the tamoxifen, wait 4 weeks and then start the arimidex. It just seemed strange to me to wait that long. Perhaps a week or two, but 4 weeks seemed a bit much---I guess I am just paranoid about not taking anything even if it is just four weeks.

voraciousreader

I was advised to wait 4 weeks.

memphis1211

Thank you voraciousreader! It helps to hear that the same advice was given. How long were you on tamoxifen before making the switch over?

Jennie93

I was on tamoxifen for a little over a year & a half. Came to the end of my rope. Doc said lets try switching to Arimidex. Said it was perfectly ok to take a "2-3 week break" in between. Of course I took the full 3 weeks! lol

Sad to say I saw no improvement in the SEs during those 3 weeks off, though.

memphis1211

Thanks for replying Jennie93.

I am just a mess over this!!!! I am doing so well on tamoxifen and thought I'd be on it for a full five years before making the switch. I started with a new oncologist (my previous one relocated) and the the fact that she wants to switch me after 3 is making me question her. She claims it is the better therapy now that I'm post menopausal. I just want to do the right thing! UGH!

lonnie713

you don't have to switch. Tamoxifen has been around for years. Pre and postmenopausal women have been using it. I started on Tamo, my doc switched to aromasin after I had my ooph/hysto. The SE's got to be too much. My doc just took me off for one month. i go back on Tamo 5/1. The AI's are slightly better but not worth the horrible SE's....at least for me. Don't feel bullied or pressured. Do what works for you. Good luck

memphis1211

Thank you lonnie!

I actually am trying to get an appt with another oncologist in the practice because the approach and advice of this one to switch threw me for a loop! I loved my previous oncologist who relocated. Our plan was 5 years of tamoxifen before even considering a switch.

But, being diagnosed with stage III has me concerned that I should be switching because she said it is 'better' for me based on what she called 'new data'.

I'm so confused---I haven't slept well since my appt with her on Wednesday because I want to do what is best for me.

lonnie713

don't stress....either one is good for you. Talk to another oncologist and then decide. Your stage has nothing to do with it. It's strictly based on being pre or post meno. My friend has been on Tamo for 8 yrs. she is in full menopause. She refuses to to switch. The great thing is that Tamo can be used for both. Again, do not stress!

voraciousreader

if you read the NCCN breast cancer guidelines, specifically the discussion section, regarding endocrine therapy, there is no answer as to when a switch could be made. Furthermore, while there is evidence suggesting 10 years of Tamoxifen for premenopausal women and 5 years of an AI or 2-3 years of Tamoxifen followed by 2-3 years of an AI for postmenopausal patients, none of these studies give an indication of PRECISELY who should follow exactly which protocol.

That said, when I was diagnosed in 2010, my MO SUGGESTED 10 years of endocrine therapy consisting of 5 years of Tamoxifen followed by 5 years of an AI. However, after three tears of Tamoxifen he suggested switching to an AI. Am I going to continue an AI for 7 to complete a total of 10 years? Or, perhaps just continuing an AI for 3 years to complete 5-6 years of endocrine therapy? I don't think there is a correct answer. I'm well tolerating an AI. So, at present, I don't have any reason not to continue. I look forward to the results of the TailorX study that should be published later this year. If the trial confirms that my Oncotype DX score of 15 puts me at a true low chance of recurrence, I will reassess. Until then, I will continue taking an AI.

memphis1211

Thank you lonnie and voraciousreader!

I think a lot of my anxiety is because the oncologist I saw last week was a new one who replaced the once and only one I ever saw and loved. I had so much confidence in my old one and honestly, if she told me to switch, I would never question it.

I'm going to make an appt with another one in the practice and see what he says---if he concurs, I guess I will give the arimidex a try.

I lurked on this back in 2012 but never posted. For some reason, now that I am past all the surgery, chemo and rads, I am EVEN more focused on doing the right thing.

Thanks for responding---it means more than you know!