Postmenapause IDC Women: What AI are you taking?

It is so gradual that all of the sudden you go 'Aha!'

just had my med onc and rad onc appts and it was everything the surgeon thought - 4 weeks of radiation and no chemo. I know this is relatively good news but I am so anxious and can't seem to breathe! I don't have a lot of support - both my husband and daughter are psychotherapists who think I am "overreacting." Will you guys be my support? Also dealing with an elderly father with the beginnings of dementia who I can't even tell since he is so demanding about his own needs. Is a glass or two of wine at night ok?

* I, personally, don't drink alcohol every day, even a glass or two. I save it for a nice dinner on the weekend or other special events. I don't think an occasional drink is going to hurt you, but alcohol is a fat.....fat feeds estrogen, and if you are estrogen positive, you know where that can lead. Delufox, have you ever tried yoga or meditation? They are good to help with the stress level. And I found a 'stress relief' hypnosis CD which really helped me (much to my surprise). And no, you are not-over reacting! The whole thing is absolutely terrifying when it is happening to you; no matter how 'good' the prognosis!

*Yes, to the exercise! Whatever you can do will help you so much both mentally and physically. If you want some exercise buddies, check out the 'Lets Post Our Daily Exercise' on the fitness forum. A great group of ladies in all stages of treatment and beyond & at all levels of exercise too.

* As far as taking or not taking an anti-hormonal. The risk of recurrence is highest in the first 5 years, and those pills are the biggest medical thing we can do to reduce the risk (bigger than chemo, bigger than rads....my risk reduction was 40%). I have several triple negative friends who would LOVE to have the insurance policy we get by taking an anti-hormonal. It does take time for the body to adjust (I think, to be fair, you have to give it at least 6 months). Chemo takes a long time to bounce back from (with or without anti-hormonals), so your energy level will be down for quite awhile because of it either way (sigh....but it does come back if you keep working, even on Als). I guess what you have to answer for yourself is, "What if I quit, and I have a recurrence? Will I wish I would have stuck it out, or am I at peace with my decision no matter what happens?"

I am post menopousal so I took Arimidex for the first year despite having osteoporosis. I took a supplemental drug to offset the damage it was doing to my bones. When that drug got so expendovd my Oncologist switched me to Tamoxifen. Since then my numbers are way up as far as bone density so it's doing its job. Have to say though the SEs are much worse than with Arimidex. Finally, there is no way I wouldn't take something - too afraid to take that gamble. My recurrence rate is 8% with taking Tamoxifen for 5 years. Worth it to me but to each his own. Diane 

I was in peri-meno at dx so was put on tamox.  Been on it 4 years, 1 more to go.  So far so good.  I would take it 5 more years but onc says I'm not a candidate for that protocol so will go on an AI next year.  Not sure which one yet so I appreciate this discussion. ♥ 

how many years do you take Arimidex? This may be what I will be taking. Treatment plan appointment today.

The standard of care is to take it for 5 years. Some ladies who have a high chance of recurrence are taking it longer, but the research is not yet in on that.