Mixed feeling about getting off arimedex

ppurdin
ppurdin Member Posts: 1,181
in Breast Cancer #1

hi everyone.I have looked so forward to getting off arimedex.Been counting the days.I have three days to go to make my five years.Now suddenly I am hit with emotions that oh my goodness I have fought against Cancer for 5and half years.in three days I will not be doing anything to fight again Cancer recur acne.I am now scared.This is probly silly and a surprise to me to feel like this.Has anyone else went through this?thanks everyone.

Comments

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #2
    Is your oncologist recommending you stop?

    I dont' think you have to.  Tamoxifen is now recommended for 10 years and I think this may carry over to the aromotase inhibitors.  Talk to your oncologist.  It's not silly to feel the way you're feeling.  Of course, you won't be actively doing anything to fight when you stop, but maybe you don't need to anymore?  We're all different with different risk factors.  What does your oncologist have to say?   Just like chemo, you can always get a second opinion, and if the recommendation is the same, you might feel better about it. 

    Good luck.

    Suzanne

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #3
    Finishing treatment

    It's not silly at all to worry when you stop medications. Taking pills makes us feel like we are doing something concrete to keep the beast away. I even felt scared stopping chemo! You got some good advice above from Suzanne so do talk to your onco. If you end up off all meds, then you can always do things like improving your diet, taking cat naps, drinking green teas and things like that. It helps me mentally to take care of myself physically. Have a good new year, Anna

  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #4
    New guidelines

    onc now recommend at least 10 years.

     

    sue

  • mamasurvivor
    mamasurvivor Member Posts: 5
    #5
    getting of AI

    I am going through those same emotions about the same decision!  I am almost 11 years past diagnosis, had 2 years of tamoxifen and have been on aromasin for 8.  My oncologist is encouraging me to go off the aromasin since they don't know the long term side effects but I am scared!  I was stage 3 with a large tumor and positive lymph nodes.  I wish there was research about how long one can safely be on the aromatase inhibiters.  Please post if you know of any. 

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #6
    mamasurvivor said:

    getting of AI

    I am going through those same emotions about the same decision!  I am almost 11 years past diagnosis, had 2 years of tamoxifen and have been on aromasin for 8.  My oncologist is encouraging me to go off the aromasin since they don't know the long term side effects but I am scared!  I was stage 3 with a large tumor and positive lymph nodes.  I wish there was research about how long one can safely be on the aromatase inhibiters.  Please post if you know of any. 

    How long on AL

    Hello all,

     I have not done a specific research in this area, however i have been going to the other site dedicated to metastatic breast cancer. I have read the survivors have been taking Al for more than 10 years (total) if it works. It is always between you and your oncologist. If you arescared to get off, please seek a second opinion.

    You can also post this question on another websites and see what others survivors and dcotors may answer.

    mamasurvivor,

     I read your profile, it has been working for you. i am not surprised that you feel uncomfortable to get off. Please reach out.

    Regards 

  • cati0314
    cati0314 Member Posts: 203
    #7
    Arimidex

    I will be coming up on 5 years on arimidex in several months.  When I asked my onco if he thought I should stay on for another 5 years he said I could stay on it for as long as I wanted.  That the cancer cells were asleep while on the drug.  Not the answer I wanted as I have osteoporosis and I know the arimidex is worsening my bone thinning.  I don't know what to do either.   My cancer was stage 2b because the tumor was 6.2 cm.  Grade 3.  These tumors can be likely for recurrence.  No lymph nodes involved though.  T3, N0, M0

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