"You are a Stage III"

Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I saw my Onc today, and I finally told him I've stopped taking the Tomoxifen during the summer because I just could not handle some of the SE's.  The weight gain and Depression, and nail issues, are just so unacceptable, and since stopping the Tomoxifen, I have felt so much better.  He told me  "You are a Stage III" and risk it coming back"  I told him, I just hate the quality of life I've had on the Tomoxifen and just stopped taking it in the beginning of the summer.  He told me, I was better off discontinuing the Tomoxifen due to the fact I have been immobalized from the baker cyst I've had because the Tomox would cause a risk of blood clot.  But he wants me to try Aromosin, because the new research has good findings on Aromosin following Tomoxifen in keep the cancer from coming back.  So now it's another drug.  I started on the Arimidex, went off that because of he horrible bone pain and vaginal atrophy, the Tomoxifen which cured the vaginal atrophy, but brought new more unbareable SE's.  Now Aromosin.  So I am open to any good things to hear about Aromosin.  I really feel much better that he's making me stay on something, because deep down I feel I'm playing with fire by not taking anything.  But, other than the knee problems I've had this summer, I still feel so much better. So go figureSmile

image

Barb

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  • meme31
    meme31 Member Posts: 403
    edited September 2011

    bump

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited September 2011

    I was switched to Aromasin from Arimidex and the SE's are much better for me.  My hands are stiff and ache a little, especially in the morning.  And the joint aches are there but NOTHING like they were with Arimidex.  Of course, you know about the neck/jaw thing I've had going on which the dr says is the Aromasin but I feel like it's LE and would bet money on it, that's how sure I am.  I had vaginal atrophy with Arimidex too and have had no problems with Aromasin.  Good luck & I hope you finally found the one that works for you.

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  • sweetbean
    sweetbean Member Posts: 1,931
    edited September 2011

    What about Fareston?  They are giving that to pre-meno women more and more these days.

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited September 2011

    I did tamox for 2 years and switched to Aromasin 6 weeks ago due to the fact that I am now post menapusal. The first 10 months on tamox were difficult due to aches, joint tightness and most of all mood swings but I either got used to it or the se's subsided...not sure which. So far the aromasin has been very tolerable. some joint pain especially in the morning but once I get moving it's better. I have been extremely fatigued and though it may be the Aromasin but my doc checked my B12 and it is extremely low so I am now taking B12. He said I should notice a big difference in 4-6 weeks.

    Good luck with the Aromasin. Everyone is different but it's worth a try.

    Cheers

    beth 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2011

    So I got my prescription filled but couldn't bring myself to take it because I just don't want to face the SE's right now while I'm recovering from the baker's cyst in the back of my knee.. I'm still in a fair amount of pain and still walking with the help of a cane, and partially immobalized still.  I hate feeling like a 90 year old.Undecided  Wow, Sherri, I never realized you had been on different hormonals too.  Bco.org has the latest research on the Aromosin that my onc was mentioning.

    Click here: Aromasin

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    Barb

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited September 2011

    Barb,

    Go for it!! 

    Yeah, I didn't do very well on Aromasin.  But it was the first drug I tried.  I really wonder how many of my issues were really based on the lack of estrogen versus the Aromasin.  In other words, whether I would have started with Femara, Arimidex or Tamoxifen, any of them would have given me the SEs from hell.  All I know is my switch to Tamox has been much better.  But it might have been the month repreive I got between hormonal therapies.

    Once you get over the baker's cyst, you have nothing to lose because you know that you can stop taking the drug and start feeling better again.  But if you can tolerate it, you have a great reduction of reocurrence risk!

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited September 2011

    I don't blame you for dealing with the cyst first.  I forgot to mention I do have some dizziness but I had that on Arimidex too, it's only if I turn to fast, it's not there all the time.  Good luck and let us know how it goes.

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited October 2011

    I've tried them all....side effects different on Aromasin for me than on Arimidex.....more cognitive and mood issues on Aromasin but joint pain less.....After 3 1/2 years of AI's, I said enough is enough.....I've been off them for 1 1 /2 years now.....right decision for me....onc would like me on something, but that means starting 5 years over....can't do it!!!!   Hope Aromasin is kinder to you...

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  • LindaLou53
    LindaLou53 Member Posts: 929
    edited October 2011

    Barb I have been taking Aromasin every day since April 2006 (5.5 years) and will continue to take it indefinitely.  I found it much easier to tolerate than either Tamoxifen or Femara.  I have never taken Arimidex.  I did have some joint pains during the initial 6-9 months as my body adjusted but it was mild in nature and has now gone away.  I have generalized stiffness of my hands but I also have Lymphedema which contributes to that stiffness.  I know most people take their pills in the mornings but I have always taken my Aromasin at bedtime and never had any problems doing that.

    Latest research data shows that Aromasin is a very effective drug and may be slightly better than the other hormonals.  They all work in a different way so side effects from one may not necessarily be the same in another.  I believe the hormonals are a very important tool in preventing recurrences in ER/PR+  cancers.  I hope you also find Aromasin easier to take with less side effects like I do and can heal up quickly from the Baker's Cyst.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2011

    LindaLou,  thanks for your words on Aromasin.  I've also heard the research coming out about it.  I'll start back on it sometime after next week.  I can hadle the joint discomfort, but the one thing I hated about the Tomoxifen was the large amount of water retention and weight gain and the mental fog and depression.  It was a deal breaker for me.

    image

    Barb

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