Six years out - how long to take Anastrozole (Arimidex)?

Strike_Two

My doctor believes there is a slight - but real - benefit to extended usage, but says he is completely fine with my decision either way.

I feel like I have aged 15 years on the Arimidex. My hair is thinner, my skin is dry, dry, dry, and I look quite a bit older, imo. I had numerous symtoms (hot flashes, etc.), but those have long gone away.

Anyway, I can't help but wonder what this drug is doing to the inside of my body, considering what the outside looks like.

What is your doctor telling you? Has he quantified the benefit of extended drug use? For example - five percent better chance of survival?????

Thanks!

Peregrinelady

There is a test called BCI (breast cancer index) that can give you the benefit of taking antihormonals longer than five years based on your tumor.

Anonymous

My MO told me, because I'm high risk (see my status below) that I'll be on Aromasin at least 10 years and maybe more, because she believes ongoing research will prove--is proving-that recurrence rates continue to drop the longer we are on AIs.

I'm going on seven years (tamoxifen, then arimidex, which gave me such awful side effects I threatened to quit, which is why I'm on aromasin now) for all hormone txs. No real life-disturbing side effects on Aromasin yet, so I hope to hang in there as long as I can. We will see.

Claire in AZ