Anyone 75 or older taking Tamoxifon or Armidex?

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pink4U
pink4U Member Posts: 4
edited June 2014 in Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer

March of 2009 my mother( turned 83 in June) had her left breast removed. Came through surgery great. Tumor was 3cm, Invasive DCIS, nodes clean,hormone postive. She has/had high cholesterol, high blood pressure and joint pain before the cancer. The doctors say for all practical purposes they got it all with the surgery. They want her to take Tamoxifon or Armidex for the next five years.  She as well as other members of the family are concerned about the side effects and risks of these drugs at her age. Any Advice?

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  • Cheyanne
    Cheyanne Member Posts: 65
    edited July 2009

    Well I am only 68-almost-69 and I refused Arimidex for mainly the risk of high cholesterol (which I already have), high blood pressure (which I already have), joint pain (which I already have) and oh, yes, the risk of bone loss which I don't think I have and I certainly don't need.  I discussed all of this with my surgeon and with one of the doctors I work for and they agreed.  My tumor was smaller, about 1.5 cm, but they got all of it.  Plus I had a mastectomy.

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  • FLtricia
    FLtricia Member Posts: 140
    edited July 2009

    My mother was diagnosed at 71, had right breast removed, then went into clinical trial for five years where she didn't know if she had Tomoxofin or Arimidex.  It was Arimidex.  She didn't have other health problems before, but did complain of some joint pain while taking medication, and now has osteoporosis (no one has said osteo was caused by Arimidex). My mother's tumor was 2 cm, IDC, clean nodes. 

    On the positive side, she will be 84 years old next week!  Still drives, still maintains her garden.

    Your mother could give the medication a trial to see how her body reacts.  If she is unhappy, she can always stop.  May she have many healthy years ahead.  God bless.

    Pat

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  • danielli1008
    danielli1008 Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2009

    I just went to the doctor today w/ my 83 year old grandmother, and they want to do a single masectomy. It is comforting to know that your mother made it fine through surgery. What was her recovery like? My grandmother is pretty low functioning and has a hard time getting around due to her bad hip. Also, she is developing memory loss and I am afraid that the surgery may trigger it. She confides in us to comfort her with making the right decisions, and I just don't believe this is a fair one to make. The doctors ensure that this is a easy procedure (yeah maybe for them to perform), however I would feel terribly bad if something happened.

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  • jezza
    jezza Member Posts: 698
    edited July 2009

    My mum had a bi-lat mast. at 73. She didn't have chemo but was put on Tamoxofin for 10 years. I know that seems a long time but thats what happened. Anyway she didn't seem to have any side effects and died at 89....not of breast cancer. She didn't have a recurrence.

    Danielli the recovery after a mastectomy is normally pretty good. As far as operations go it is not that painful (in my experience anyway) but I can understand your concern about an anaesthetic at that age.I guess you just have to trust her Drs on this one. What sort of breast cancer does she have? Maybe having a mast. would avoid the need for chemo?

    Hugs

    jezza

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  • REKoz
    REKoz Member Posts: 590
    edited July 2009

    Another story for the mix:  My Mom, diagnosed at 77, bilateral mx. No chemo but has been on Tamoxifan for 3 years. Dr. asked her last year if she wanted to switch to an AL and she said no since she is tolerating the Tamox well. At 80, she has aches and pains anyway so there's no telling the cause. She's doing GREAT and just had another NED report!

    Good luck to your Mom!

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  • Newbie21
    Newbie21 Member Posts: 70
    edited August 2009

    Hi,

    My mom was dxed at age 66. She is now almost 70. Multi focal tumor plis in situ. largwest was 1.5. cm (1 cm and 2mm). She had mx, and is on arimidex.  Stage 1c grade2, er++, Her-.

    What were your mom's/grandma's dx?  Thanks

    Giulia

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited August 2009

    Call me crazy, but I didn't think they used Tamoxifen for post-menopausal women? I could be wrong... Undecided

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited August 2009

    My mom had 5 yrs of tamoxifen (it was the only thing at that point) followed by 5 years of arimidex.  She is 82 and just finished the ten years last fall.  She really didn't have too many problems.

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  • Trish03
    Trish03 Member Posts: 292
    edited August 2009

    My mom was dx 2 years ago at the age of 83 with IDC, 2 cm, stage 1, grade 2, no nodes. She had lump. and rads (mammosite). She has been on Arimidex since then. I think that it has added to her joint pain; plus, she has developed trigger finger. I've been wondering if she should go off it because of her QOL. It's a difficult decision.

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  • klp
    klp Member Posts: 1,770
    edited August 2009

    My onco wanted me to take Arimidex and I told her no. I preferred Tamoxifen because of all the SEs of Arimidex. Friends of mine took Tamoxifen, a tried and true drug. I am 74, just had my first mammo since surgery and radiation..all clear. I've been taking Tamoxifen since Jan.09 with no SE. I also had the cheek swab thru Genelex to see how I metabolized Tamoxifen..I was a normal metabolizer. My Vit. D3 level is 72 and the last Dexascan was better than a few years ago. I didn't want to have Arimidex take calcium from my bones. Also I believe the Tamoxifen has reduced my total cholesterol also.

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited August 2009

    My mother started tamox at age 78, took it for 5 years. She already had osteoporosous so AIs were not a good idea. She's finished it last winter (83 now) and doing fine though my father is worried now that she's off it. I think it made him feel safe.

    I've just started tamox (I'm 58 and post-monopause) and will be on it for 2 1/2 years, then switch to an AI for 2 1/2 yeaars. That's standard here in Israel and from what I've read has very good outcomes.

    Barbe, when tamox was first out it was only used on post-menopausal women.. I don't know at what point after the developement of AIs the standard in the US changed. By the way, my mother was treated in NY.

    Leah

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited August 2009
    And here I thought it was for PRE-menopausal women as those of us who are POST don't produce the estrogen that is of concern.....Undecided
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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited August 2009

    We produce estrogen in small quantities in fat cells and adrenal glands.

    Leah

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited August 2009

    Ah....

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  • bcamnb
    bcamnb Member Posts: 417
    edited September 2009

    I am 65 and am waiting to be tested for Tamoxifen metabolization. My radiologist was not supportive/encouraging but I want to make sure the drug will work for me before beginning it. For my oncology team, Tamoxifen is still the drug of choice, and I am 20 years post menopausal! Not sure what I'll do if the tests are negative. Not that keen on AIs.

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  • klp
    klp Member Posts: 1,770
    edited October 2011

    I am 76 and took Tamoxifen for almost 3 years and decided to stop. I started getting hip pain and wasn't sure if it was from the Tamoxifen but I've had enough of toxic meds. I will faithfully see either my onc or bs every 6 months and get an annual digital mammogram.

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  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited February 2012

    I'm 71, postmenopausal, and going to start Tamox because I read a study on this site that said better results were achieved if  postmen women started on tamox and then switched in several years to an Al.  My MO had no problem with that, and he's a stickler for doing it by the book!  I really prefer not to take either, but since I skipped both chemo and rads, I feel I'd better reach some compromise to keep bc from recurring.  Been staring down the bottle for several days now, so guess I'd better begin:(

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  • MidnightIllustrator
    MidnightIllustrator Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2012

    Hi—I'm 70 and have a diagnosis of DCIS. It's caught early and I've had surgery (3X) and clear margins. I've also had 37 radiation treatments, no chemo. Now I'm to start Femara (aromatase inhibitor). I have some anxiety, but will try it. My question is...are there any blogs by breast cancer patients my age or older? I'd like to read the stories of other women my age. You can post an answer here or email me. Thanks.

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  • Yself
    Yself Member Posts: 44
    edited February 2012
    1. I took Tamoxifen for nearly five years after a modified radical mastectomy with 10 lymph nodes removed. Had chemo. Was shocked to find I had a DVT 8 days before I was to get off. I knew blood clots were a side effect, but thought I'd dodged the bullet. Am on a Coumadin Diet as well as one for type 2 diabetes, so selecting foods is a challenge. So far; so good. I'm 76. Now I'm concerned about pain in my right hip.
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  • Yself
    Yself Member Posts: 44
    edited February 2012

    One of my husband's cousins took Femara and had to get off. She was in intense pain. I've heard this from others. If there is a breast cancer support group near you, I'd advise you attend. I do so appreciate mine. We TALK. It's the one place where we can let our hair down and everyone understands.

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