About to hit 5 years on Tamoxifen and then Aromasin-- stay on?

Christine, I was diagnosed after menopause so no tamoxifen for me.  But my oncologist said she wanted me on Femara for ten years. 

My side effects have been tolerable; some achy stiffness in my hands, hips, and knees, but I'll do whatever she wants me to do.  For ME, and I'm speaking for myself only, the side effects don't outweigh the benefit of shutting out any estrogen,  My original path report stated the cancer was 95% estrogen-receptor positive.

Exercise helps.  A lot.

I was highly ER/PR positive and my MO has recommended 10 years as well...I want to be here in 10 years.  I'm completely fine with this - with side effects and all, I'm so thankful to have this medication.

I am supposed to be on more or less indefinitely, as far as I can understand. 

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Hi goutlaw

I was diagnosed back in 1999 HR-/PR- so tamoxifen was no good for me but I am still here...

Sarah

My doc said I'd probably be on them forever.

Before the AI's came along, there was only Tamoxifen as a anti-hormonal therapy for ER+ breast cancer.   It has always been used in post-menopausal women and is as effective in post-menopausal women as pre-menopausal women in preventing recurrence.   When the AI's came along, which are only for post-menopausal women or those who have had their ovaries suppressed, clinical studies showed them to be marginally more effective than Tamoxifen in preventing recurrence, and they did not have the scariest side effects of Tamoxifen (DVT/blood clots and Uterine cancer).   So doctors started switching post-menopausal women to the AI's, especially once they became available as generic drugs.   All the studies I've seen of taking anti-estrogen drugs for 10 years or more have been about Tamoxifen.

Of course, anyone who's taken the AI's knows they have their own side effects.   But the idea that Tamoxifen is not for post-menopausal women is not correct.   I think doctors allow people to think that because they want them on AI's.   But Tamoxifen is still a good alternative for post-menopausal women.   It is also protective of bone mass unlike the AI's that are well-known to be associated with osteoporosis.

Whether Tamoxifen or an AI is better for a specific person is somewhat of a crapshoot, since all the statistics only speak to what has happened to large groups.   And no one knows until they take a specific drug whether the possible side effects will apply to them or not.   There are some women who have a genetic issue that doesn't allow them to take advantage of Tamoxifen (CYP2D6 genetic issue).   If you have that issue, then Tamoxifen is not for you regardless of whether you are pre-or-post menopausal.   The problem is availability of the genetic testing to find out.   But if you've been on Tamoxifen for 5 years and have not had a recurrence, chances are it's working for you.