Switching from tamoxifen to AI

Options
Leslie2016
Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
edited October 2018 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I've been on tamoxifen since May 1, 2017. I was peri-menopausal when I was diagnosed in Sept 2016, haven't had a period since Dec 2016. 

Saw my oncologist last week. Said when I come back in July we will do bloodwork to make sure I'm totally in menopause and if so switch to an AI (don't know which one...she said they are all the same). That will be just over 2 years on tamoxifen.

My question is, did you do Tamoxifen and switch to an AI? How long were/are you going to be on each?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited September 2018

    Hi,

    I was on Tamox for 5 years and then was switched to Femara as it was to help recurrence to do more time on the AI. I've been on it for quite awhile now. Only one pill a day instead of two. If it helps recurrence not a bad idea. As I was told when I was switched the side effects of Tamox can kill you and the ones with Femara can at least be managed. Good luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited September 2018

    Wish there was a like button for bccolorado’s post! I will say SEs are significantly less for me on AI vs tamoxifen. I’m on for 10 years regardless.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sumomo
    sumomo Member Posts: 49
    edited October 2018

    I wanted to ask the same question and found this topic already there. May I add a questions here, instead of starting a new topic?

    It seems, taking Tamoxifen for 2 to 3 years and switching to Arimidex (anastrozole) or taking Tamoxifen for 5 years and switching to Femara (letrozole) are standard (if you are switching to AI). Has anyone switched to AI earlier?

    Thank you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Peregrinelady
    Peregrinelady Member Posts: 1,019
    edited October 2018
    Yes, I took Tamoxifen for a year then switched to an AI. I am planning on staying on it for 6 years for a total of 7 years on antihormonals, unless the guidelines change again before that. Why do you ask?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AngelsGal57
    AngelsGal57 Member Posts: 145
    edited October 2018

    I have been on Tamoxifen for 3 months and the leg, foot, toe and thigh cramping many times in both legs and feet at the same time is excruciating and torture. I am going off of it and considering Aromasin. Need feedback as the negatives I am reading on Tamox are a huge concern as well.

    Need to hear how others are handling SEs on Aromasin.

    Angelsgal57

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited October 2018

    I'm just trying to hear the different schedules people have for switching. I thought originally I was doing 5 on tamox and then 5 on an AI. So I just want to hear how many years people did on tamox and then how many on whatever AI. I know there are studies saying many different combos, I'm just trying to decide what combo I think is best for me.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • twiggyOR
    twiggyOR Member Posts: 270
    edited October 2018

    I've been on tamoxifen for two and a half years. I haven't had a period since right after my first chemo. The original plan was to do two years on tam and change to an AI if my period did not return. At my appointment last spring my mo decided to wait another year because I am tolerating tam fairly well. I'm really concerned about additional hair loss (already thinned a bunch) and , of course, joint pain but I'm also hoping for less brain fog.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories