PreMenopausal and Aramidex+Lupron

Hi Bela,

I have not done this regimen, I took Tamoxifen 5 yrs, but it is definitely a reasonable option.  So, if your doctor supports it, I think this is a fine choice.  Best of luck to you!

Pumpkinweed

Hi Bella, I am also pre-menopausal and plan to start Arimidex/Anastrazole after having a hysterectomy. Although I am almost 41, I am done having kids and also have PCOS, so I just want my ovaries and uterus out.  My MO told me that having a hyster (or Lupron) plus Arimidex gives you a slightly better shot against recurrence than Tamoxifen, maybe by 1-2%. My mom is also a BC survivor, and she blames Tamoxifen for her eyesight issues.  I already have cataracts and astigmatism, and I don't need any more eye problems, so that is the main reason why I am choosing Arimidex over Tamoxifen.

I am hoping that the Arimidex will be well tolerated and that I won't get the severe bone and joint pain that seems to affect some women.  This is the one SE that can be a concern, especially if your family has a history of osteoporosis.  Some women can experience bone pain and bone loss, so it's a good idea to get a bone density test and make sure you get a lot of calcium.  I've started taking Citrical with vitamin D.  

Just wanted to let you know I'm kind of in the same boat as you.  Hope this helps, and good luck!

I'm deciding right now what treatment route.  I think I'm going this route- lupron plus arimidex.

I'm premenopausal (I'm 43), I have PCOS and I developed a blood clot when taking birth control pills (2010- birth control pills were recommended to help control my PCOS symptoms-needless I was on birth control for 2 weeks, got blood clot and was on blood thinners for 6 months- and wasn't able to take birth control- so I still ended up with all the PCOS symptoms). 

I spoke with 2 different oncologists, and they were okay with a tamoxifen plus blood thinners for me, but both said their preference for my treatment would be lupron + arimidex.

They both also said treatment should include monitoring my vitamin D levels, so you may want to discuss this with the doctors too.

Hi Ladies,

 I am a 6.5 year bc survivor diagnosed at age 41 with a 4 cm tumour, 3 positive lymph nodes...I was also er/pr+.

 My oncologist was aggressive with my treatment due to the high grade 3 tumour, my age at diagnosis and my positive nodes.

 I was immediately put on Armidex along with Zoladex injections once every 3 months to chemically shut down my ovaries.  I did the Zoladex for 1.5 years and then permanently had my ovaries removed in 2008.  Being shoved into menopause was no fun but now 4 years post oopherectomy and 1 year post Armidex my hotflashes are pretty well a dull roar that I can cope with.

 I wanted to do everything possible to get rid of the estrogen that was feeding my cancer.

My youngest sister was diagnosed in 2010 at age 42 and was also er/pr+, her-, negative nodes but she had a 7cm tumour.  Her oncologist was not aggressive enough in my opinion and just put her on tamoxifen.  Tamxoifen failed here and she was rediagnosed two weeks ago with Stage 4 Metastic BC that has spread to her bones (back, shoulder and both ribs).  This makes me so angry that the standard of care was so different for both of us despite us both being er/pr+ and she had a larger tumour!!!!

Any questions,would be happy to answer them.

Michele

kae- this is a pretty old thread, so look for some others that are more recent. I started Lupron in November at 46, on the same day that I started my period. I haven't had one since. I do have hot flashes and had a bone density test before starting Lupron. Hope this helps

Kae,

I am 33 and have been on this regimen for about a year now. I do the monthly Lupron shots and take anastrazole (generic Arimidex). Yes, the lupron will put you into temporary menopause (meaning that you will be in menopause until you stop taking it, or I'm guessing until you are old enough that your body wouldn't bounce back with a period).

Anyway, it's a totally doable regimen. The lupron shots make me tired and achy for a few days after I get them but then I'm fine. Arimidex gives me mild hot flashes, nothing terrible (I've been lucky that way). The worst is the body aches and stiffness, but I can live with that. Exercise helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.