Hormonal therapy

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julia_ann
julia_ann Member Posts: 3
edited August 2016 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I would greatly appreciate all the opinions I can get. I had IDC stage 2 in the left breast and have had a double mastectomy with expanders placed 2 weeks ago. They also took out lymph nodes from each side that were negative, thank God. I meet with the oncologist a few days ago and she said I do not need chemo, but I need hormonal therapy. I am 50 years old and she recommended I take anastrozole / arimidex for ten years. The side effects of these types of medications are crazy bad like osteoporosis, muscle and joint pain, weight gain, mood change etc. If I do the med's I have a 8% chance of recurrence if I do not I have 11% chance. I am sure in the medical world 3% is huge, but with all the side effects, money, and time I don't think I want to do this.

All opinions will be welcomed and appreciated.

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited August 2016

    Hi Julia, I strongly encourage you to try taking anastrozole and see how your body will react. Please don't make an opinion based on the complaints you read on this wonderful website. Thousands of women are on this medication and they don't post here. Check this thread for a different perspective: Anyone tolerating hormone therapy well?

    You can start the medication and see how your body adjusts to it. Many don't have any side effects at all, some have very mild side effects that do not interfere with their life. Anastrozole is a generic and is very inexpensive (I get a 90 day supply for about $20.) I have been on this medication for 2.5 years. I have some osteopenia that was there before I started anastrozole but no "crazy bad osteoporosis", weight gain or blood clots.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited August 2016

    I was specifically told I COULD take the aromatase inhibitors because they are NOT the clot risk that Tamoxifen is (since I had a prior pulmonary embolism).

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  • julia_ann
    julia_ann Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2016

    Thank you for your reply muska. I am happy you are not getting the side effects. Thank you for the information.

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  • Novmoon
    Novmoon Member Posts: 77
    edited August 2016

    Julia, I too had bilateral mastectomy with expanders 3+ weeks ago. Saw MO today and ordered bone density test and oncotype test to determine if chemo needed. He does say I need arimidex for 10 years. I was searching boards for info and found your post. Curious how you are feeling now? Have had 1 fill so far and still in pain requiring oxycodone.

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  • Carlsoda
    Carlsoda Member Posts: 249
    edited August 2016

    Julia, I am 51 and will be starting tamoxifen on August 10th, one week after I finish radiation. Plan is to be on tamoxifen for 3 years then switch over to an AI. According to my oncotype test results even with tamoxifen for 5 years my recurrence risk is 10%. Seems high to me, but I am willing to give these drugs a chance! The reason I am doing tamoxifen first is due to bone health risk with AI.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited August 2016

    You have to remember that the people who are talking about it are the one's having problems with it. The vast majority of ladies, who are doing from okay to fine, are just out there living their lives. I did 5 years of Arimidex without any big problems (and, of course, if you have big problems, you can always try another AI or even quit). As far as your concerns go, here are some thoughts I have:

    osteoporosis-make sure you have a bone density scan (DEXA) before you start so that you know where you are bone healthwise. Get a DEXA every year or two (depending on what your insurance will allow) so that if any problems occur, you can address them right away. Make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D, do weight bearing exercises religiously, eat a daily serving of dried plums (which actually build bones

    muscle and joint pain-keep moving, keep moving, keep moving......

    weight gain-exercise (yes, exercise is THE magic bullet, plus it is the biggest non-medical thing you can do to reduce your chance of recurrence)

    blood clot-as someone else pointed out, that is a possible SE of tamoxifen, not the AIs

    mood change- exercise , keep busy, fill your life with interesting, rewarding things so that you don't have that much time to dwell on 'cancer stuff'. I think some of the mood problems are actually a SE of the whole cancer experience (plus adjusting to no estrogen at the same time!). You on an emotional roller coaster from the time you are diagnosed all the way through treatment, and then BAM, they send you out the door with a bottle of pills and a 'good luck' (not really, but that is how it feels), and it is hard work to process it all.

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  • BC401
    BC401 Member Posts: 10
    edited August 2016

    Am 71, took after my Dad (dark hair / large boned). Had my HI/blood work recheck with MO last week. Will have another in 3 months.

    No noticeable side effects of the HI therapy ( anastrozole) at this time, am pleased to report. None.

    As had not been previously diagnosed with osteoporosis prior to BC, feel comfortable taking the HI.

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