Anyone on AI's when recurrance happened?

marijen - no particular brand, but Nature Made does have the USP certrification.

On femara, still no recurrence, at least not that I know of. My PT, who treated me 5 years ago, urged me to stay on the AI past the 5 years. Completely anecdotally, she reported having several patients, with ILC, who relapsed after discontinuing the AI.

Overjoyed, bugger it all, so sorry to hear of your progression.

Houston, in my experience the standard of care after completing treatment includes annual breast imaging and six monthly checkups with BS and Onc for five plus years plus GP visits for any other medical issues or new symptoms. This schedule means I see some type of doc at least every three months. My onc always does physical check of lymph nodes, breasts, lungs and liver. I have had various symptoms arise over years eg cough and others and my doctors prescribe scans then because of my history, as precaution. I also have annual blood tests as part of general health checkup.

I think the keys are to maintain your schedule of checkups with all four docs, listen to your body and report any new symptoms.

How frequently you see your team depends on how of a risk you are perceived to be, at least where I go. Since I'm viewed as high risk I'm on the to be seen every 3 mo by my onc for min of 5 years, then will be every 6 mo for a period of time then annually for life. BS 2 x a year for 5 years (he's my mammo since I had bmx), then annually for life. PCP has me on an every 4 mo schedule so far (nothing set in stone with her but watches my cholesterol, bp, labs, liver enzymes and my lower abdominal pain most likely due to angry fibroids), will become annually at minimum at some point. PS once I'm all done with recon (going to do one more sx for symmetry soon) it will be annually to check on implants for life.

Houston, While it does not sound like the typical signs of a recurrence to me, the darkened area is concerning... may be a potential infection. I think there are more risks with TEs after radiation. Can you get in to see your doctor?

I had my TEs put in at the same time as my bmx. A few weeks later my non cancer TE got infected. PS put me on oral abx and it didn't work. Went in the hospital for IV abx and then home where I did it myself with a picc line and it cleared. Definitely let your PS know tomorrow. Something's up that they need to address asap. Best wishes.

I agree with the others. Be seen asap. Do not wait until Monday

Very good news!

What about asking your PCP for the blood work? I would think that your PCP would have an interest in not having you fall between the cracks. I argued against getting it done last visit with my PCP because my endocrinologist had just ordered it the week before. Her office insisted on doing it anyway and the numbers were the same. My insurance paid without blinking an eye. One doctor is with a large university system and the other with Sutter Health but they can both access all my records on EPIC "MyChart". It seems to me that you have enough going on to warrant more frequent testing

I think 3+ is not that out of normal range for WBC which normal is 4.5 . so likely why your doctor doesn't feel its necessary to repeat. But if you're concerned I'd definitely see my primary doctor and just explain you'd like  repeat to ensure nothing is being missed. By you saing that it is unlikely they would deny you.. Your cough sounds almost like allergies. Have you tried any OTC for allergies, like Claritin or something. sometimes associated post nasal drip can cause a cough. Good luck, I hope you get better. keep us updated.

Houston there is a liver mets topic, it's for stage IV, you can read but you can't post. Do you have constipation by any chance? Is the pain all the time? I hope I never find out what liver mets feels like, and can't help you

Yes green tea extract is toxic to liver. I tried some thinking more tea is better but no my enzymes went up. I checked it at the govt. livertox.gov site and sure enough it can cause liver failure. Threw the little dropper bottle in the trash. Enzymes went back to normal at next test a month later. Definitely tell your doctor if you've been taking it and for how long so he/she will test you. Regular green tea is ok and good for you. Just look up benefits of green tea. Didn't have any pain as I remember though. This is why the doctors don't want us to take supplements, they aren't regulated. There were about thirteen people in HI that needed transplants because they took diet supplements.

No pain but I've been told liver doesn't feel pain and enzymes were only a little high. Luckily I only used the extract for a few weeks I think. Read it was good for cancer and I had just been dx'd. So I wonder if it's you gallbladder, there is somethng called Murphy pain, you have to look it up. I am no expert on abdominal pain. Except I've noticed with constipation. Good you stopped everything. I hope she orders and abdominal US for you. My pain is in my bones, joints, muscles and surgery area

Houston... Abdominal pain you've never felt before could be diverticulitis. I, like many people, have had diverticulosis for years with no problem. Then soon after starting anastrozole it became infected (diverticulitis). My guess it was because my immune system was shot from the AI. If it happens again (and it's not midnight) I'll try to avoid the ER because their answer to everything is a CT. I hope there are other ways to try to disgnose it before resorting to a CT.

By the way, the pain doesn't always have to be in the lower left. Mine moved around and settled in the low center.

Thanks Sara, my pain is more a discomfort and it started underneath my right breast , where your six pack is and went downward lower right of abdomen. I'm seeing Dr. Monday morning but we're in mid of hurricane Harvey and some places have no lights , some flooding. We're OK though. I hope anything but recurrence.