Tamoxifen vs. Arimidex

KHarrison

Haven't been here in a good while but I have an "issue" and I know you ladies are always good for an informed opinion

To rehash, dx in Dec. of 2002. Large tumor, 5/17 nodes positive, ER/PR +, AC for 4 cycles, Taxotere for 4 cycles and 6 wks radiation. Pretty standard. Started Tamoxifen in July of 2003.

I had my last period the day of my lumpectomy. Not another since that time...not even a hint. I have read so many good things about Arimidex and am considering asking my onc to see if I am in menopause and if not, then to make me menopausal. At that point I would switch to Arimidex. My next appointment with her is in July so at that point I would have been on Tamoxifen for 2 years. Oh yeah, and I am 43 years old as of yesterday!

Any thoughts on this? I would appreciate any input, positive or negative. I think I can take it!

Thanks!

Karen (aka jamjar62)

tlmac

Hi Karen, I'd gone through menopause 3 years before my cancer was discovered so the choice was a no brainer for me. I read everything I could get my hands on and every study I read said recurrence rates were 50-60% lower on Arimidex vs Tamoxifen. That was all I needed to read. In the 2 years since, I've had 2 friends recur while taking Tamoxifen and one is now stage IV. She's only 47. If you do decide to switch, you need to know it's not without it's side effects. Loss of bone density and fractures being one of the most serious. You'd want to have a baseline DEXA Scan and, if necessary, consider taking calcium supplements or even prescription drugs, like Zometa or Fosamax. I also suffer joint pain for which I take a double dose Glucosamine Chondroitin supplement daily. Good luck with your decision!
terri

sassysally

Karen, I am also 43. I had taken Tamoxifen, but had a reoccurance. I have been on Arimidex now for 4 yrs.
The side effects are minimal. Aches, but they work themselves out as you move through your day. Other than that... nothing
Ask your oncologist and switch. Studies indicate arimidex is better at quelling recurrances. Hope this helps. ( I am a three time bc survivor) Hang in there.

sandytrif525

Hey karen, I too started out on Tamoxifen. Was on it for about a year and asked to be switched to Arimidex. I went into menopause after the first chemo. I was 41 at diagnosis and now am 45. I have no problems other than the hot flashes when I get into bed or sticky situations. I wanted to switch because of the lower risks of other cancers that come with the tamoxifen. Hope this helps.
Sandy

opam

Hi, Karen. Interesting, because I just had a conversation with my oncologist about this very subject. Background - April 2002, dx bc, negative nodes, had mastectomy, 4 rounds AC, tamoxifen. I was 42 at the time. Started tamoxifen after the chemo. Just asked my onc about switching to arimidex. He said that the studies don't yet prove longer survivability, just a slight advantage with recurrence (and I have such a small chance of recurrence, anyway). He said he would rather I stay on tamoxifen for a while, until studies prove better survivability on arimidex. His big concern was bone loss, since I am still rather young (45). I tolerate the tamoxifen rather well, taking effexor for the hot flashes; so, I guess I'll stay on it for a while. Am fairly confident in the tamoxifen, but not ruling out a switch in the future, or maybe after 5 years of tamoxifen. Always something to think about, isn't there? Best of luck with your decision.

SusanAnne

Hi Karen,

I started off on Tamoxifen since I was premenopausal before dx but after being in chemopause for 13 months I asked to switch to Arimidex. 2 months after switching I got my period back. I am now scheduling an oophorectomy inorder to go back to the Arimidex. I am also HER2 positive so the tamoxifen doesn't work as well on us girls. I say go for it!

Susan