Questions about upcoming switch from tamoxifen to AI

gemini4 · February 2016

Hi friends, my apologies if this topic has already been covered, but so many of the existing threads are so big!

I have my MO appointment tomorrow, and I'm pretty sure she will want to switch me from tamoxifen to an AI. I almost switched last year, but I got an unexpected period after 15 months of no menstruation. The clock reset, and I've just now passed the one-year mark.

I know there are three different AIs, and I know everyone has different experiences. I would love to know if one is more tolerable overall than the others. I assume (and should hope!) they're all equally effective?

So what's your opinion -- which of these should I request:

Arimidex (chemical name: anastrozole)
Aromasin (chemical name: exemestane)
Femara (chemical name: letrozole)

Thanks so much! xo

Goodie16 · February 2016

My onc is starting me out on Aromasin. I switched from tamoxifen to lupron injections last month. I'll start my AI after my onc appointment on the 22nd of this month. He stated that we would start with Aromasin and go from there. I was having really awful joint/bone pain on tamoxifen, so that's the reason for my switch.

lola12 · February 2016

Hi! I have tried arimidex and femara. I was also having really bad joint pain on tamoxifen and then switched to arimidex. Unfortunately, arimidex made the joint pain worse. Femara is best for me, some joint pain, but it is manageable.

Lola

gemini4 · February 2016

Goodie and Lola, thanks for the replies.

I had blood work done to test my estrogen levels -- turns out they indicate that I'm not fully into menopause just yet. I'll be tested again in six months. It doesn't appear that the doc is suggesting ovary suppression or removal at this juncture, either

Questions about upcoming switch from tamoxifen to AI

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