Video meet with MO, she prescribed anestrozole(sp?)

toria1212

I have been researching tamoxifen, etc. So I am novel to the AI, only knowing what I glanced at here, assuming that they are much "harsher" meds...

I can't stop bawling. The Dr. told me to NOT research and said she could 'feel' my anxiety through the screen. I'm a mess. NOT what I had thought would be prescribed and scared sh*tless now....

She was informative, but not at all warm and fuzzy like my BS. I had hoped and expected the same.

My menopause has been pretty non-existent-some "cold" flashes, where I was freezing from the inside, some insomnia here and there, but short-lived, no mood swings persay, at least nothing noticeable. Dr. said then perhaps I will not have big SEs from this med.

Please provide any support as I am losing it right now....

ctmbsikia

Hi Toria. Tamoxifen and anastrozole are different medicines completely. Tamoxifen works differently and is mainly (but not always) prescribed for pre-menopausal women. Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor that keeps your adrenal glands and other parts of your body from producing estrogen. This is mainly used in post-menopausal women with an estrogen positive bc. I hope that helps a little. You may not have to start taking it until your surgery, and radiation if you're having it. At least, that's how it went for me. I do have some side effects from taking this, however, they do not impede much on my overall quality of life. I get stiff and have some joint pain, but if I keep to a regular exercise routine this helps, so you may just have to adjust to a new normal. It may take some trial and error. There are many women that do very well. Most side effects subside after a few months so one should give it a chance before switching to something else. At least there are several and good to know there are other options. I also have hair thinning that didn't start right away, but almost a year in. Still the benefit of staying on the protocol is more important to me then cleaning off the strands hair everyday. I've gotten used to it. Hot flashes too but I dealt with those before. They became less frequent after I stop drinking red wine.

Hope that helps a little. You are in the beginning and was happy to read your other post about your BS. We'll be here for you, take a deep breath, and ask away

Moderators

Hi Toria,

We know it can seem overwhelming and scary when venturing to a new medication, but we can assure you you're not alone! You're sure to meet many others here who have made the switch to Arimidex (anastrozole) and have had good experiences. You can also read up on our main Breastcancer.org site's page on Arimidex to find out what to expect.

There's also a wonderful thread here called For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, past, present, and ongoing where others on this medication discuss their experiences. Stop in and introduce yourself!

We hope this helps and that you feel better soon!

--The Mods

OnlyGirlof5

Hi Toria,

I don't have experience with this medication but I absolutely understand how you feel. I just started Tamoxifen yesterday. I am an information person, so of course researched. And yes, the SEs list freaks me out. Not much to offer you except that I understand. Hoping things go well for you.

exbrnxgrl

Hi,

I am not sure why you've concluded that AI's are harsher than Tamoxifen. As explained in an earlier response, Tamoxifen is generally prescribed for pre-menopausal women, AI's for post-menopausal women. In your researching of Tamoxifen, I'm sure you ran across that fact, and since you are post-menopausal the recommendation for an AI is appropriate. I have been on all three AI's and although there are se's I lead a fairly normal life. Whether Tamoxifen or AI's all meds may have se's but that doesn't mean you'll experience all of them or any of them (or you might). There is simply no way to know in advance how you will react. Again, not sure you can say AI's are harsher since the meds are used under different conditions and everyone reacts differently. All the best to you

Beesie

I've never considered AIs to be harsher meds. As ctmbsikia said, they are just different. Therefore they come with a different set of risks and side effects. Personally I find the list of serious risks from the AIs to be less scary than the list of serious risks from Tamoxifen, but that's strictly personal opinion. Someone else might be more comfortable with the risks from Tamoxifen versus the risks from the AIs. Personal and family health history plays into it, of course. As for side effects and tolerance, for some people Tamoxifen is easier to tolerate and for others, the AIs are easier to tolerate. With either drug you won't know how you will be affected until you take the drug.

The following article isn't exactly relevant to your situation because it is talking about the use of AIs versus Tamoxifen for the prevention of breast cancer. But there is a good explanation of the differences between the meds, which you might find helpful:

Aromatase Inhibitors in the Prevention of Breast Cancer. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC44640...

toria1212

Why are you all so KIND? Gosh, I am so grateful. I tend to forget about BC for days(lots of covid19 and kids home 24/7 to distract) then I focus in and research, then I go away again...

I guess it seemed to me as if the AI side effects are harsher-just my interpretation, I guess. Because of covid, and because my May surgery may be delayed, I am starting on the meds NOW, hence my freaking out. One more step in the journey begins for me.

I can't tell you all how much I appreciate your quick responses and support. I feel overwhelmed inside my chest; it could burst. We took a nice 2ish mile walk as weather is finally breaking here, but still chilly. Ugh Michigan.... I am going to focus on what I can do-eat better, lots of water, exercise is tricky due to a bad hip from lots of tennis, so if I had the ability to work out consistently and harder, I know that that would be a huge help to me in this, but not for now. I was scheduled for orthopedic Dr next week but was cancelled due to virus of course.

I will try and breathe....thank you all so very much. It means the world to me, to have you here xx