Aromatase Therapy Timing Key in Breast Cancer Survival

Hi all -- haven't been around for awhile, but wanted to give input on arimidex and AI's in general.  I was on arimidex for 5 years with no se's, but was diagnosed with second bc while still on it.  My first bc was h2n+ and the second er/pr+.  After my second mx, I am now on aromasin and am tolerating it very well with no se's.  Two years ago, I was osteopenic, but my recent bone density scan came back normal.  Am taking massive doses of D3 (6000 iu/day) and think perhaps it's helped my bones.  Am also taking calcium w/D3.  I tried tamoxifen, but could not tolerate it and my onc didn't want me on arimidex again. 

Hi GolferGram,

Thanks for the update.  That is very helpful to me, as I am deciding now whether to do lupron+femara+zometa after just finishing tamoxifen (I am 45 and still premenopausal).  I found encouragement that your bones are doing well.   Good tip on the D3.  Even though you got a new bc while on AIs, at least you know you did everything you could.  Blessings to you!

Hi Robinb, I have just completed 5 yrs of tamoxifen (after surgery TAC and radiaiton), now my ONC has put me on 5 yrs of Femera.  After 6 wks on this I am ready to quit. I just hate the side effects and I feel I've been through enough.  Have you heard from anyone else doing this protocol? i'm afraid to stop femera and be on my own but I think I'm headed that way.

add some prunes to your daily diet; good both for your bones and colon health.

My GP said if everyone ate prunes daily;  there would be few cases of colon cancer!

They are starting to look at people on a case-by-case basis as to whether or not stay on for longer than 5 years. My thought is; if you aren't having other problems, with a stage III diagnosis it is probably very smart to stay on it for as long as they'll let you.

Has anyone else refused Hormone Therapy? My OncotypeDX is a 10 so after doing the research I have decided that the side effects outweigh the benefits for me. Am I being an idiot as my Oncologist has implied? Apart from my BC diagnosis and I am an extremely fit and healthy person who eats well, loves exercise and doesn't drink or smoke. I had a lumpectomy and then a recision for safer margins and I am partway through 35 Rads and not having any side effects. My chances of reocurrence appear to me to be very low and worth the risk.

Katiez- I think the oncotype score assumes use of hormonal therapy but there are many women who choose not to take them for a variety of reasons. Did the dr tell you what your risk of recurrence would be with and without it? Then you can make an educated decision. Good luck.

I am 60 but feel 40 inside My Onco says l have a 30% reocurrence chance without hormone therapy but l find this impossible to understand/believe with a Stage 1c, Grade 2 IDC 1.5cm

I'm 2A and I have a 40% risk reduction by taking them the whole 5 years. Chemo only gave me a 20% risk reduction. It is that big of a deal.

Golfer grandma- I have that from femara.

Golfergrandma:  Yes, and I am still having it even after stopping Aromasin.  A lot of cramping in calves and toes too and one toe is so painful I'm thinking of having it x-rayed.  My fingers cramp and I have to physically bend the fingers as they won't bend on their own. I am waiting for all these SEs to go away, but the only thing that is better is my mood!

I do eat bananas almost daily. What does the tonic water do?  and the soap bar? 

golfergrandma

Acupuncture.  Mine is completely gone, no numb fingers, no more numb toes, knees still creak, but that's age - and they are SO MUCH BETTER.  ACUPUNCTURE really does help reduce the inflamation, and I can feel, wiggle, WITHOUT numbness or pain, all my toes.  JOY, JOY, JOY!

Good luck.

Thanks to all of you for  your feedback!  I will try the tonic water, bananas and perhaps the acupuncture if the pain persists and/or gets worse.  It's nice to know that i'm not the only one with these issues!  Will continue taking aromasin because it's important for preventing a recurrence.