Arimidex

Congrats on your two year mark and your 1 plus on finishing treatment. I am assuming that you have already done some of the treatments that have maybe produced these side affects? Or did you do Chemo and now they want to do the other?

I am lucky in one way and not in another. I did not have to make the tamoxifin, etc, decision, but, I also have estrogen/progest negative cancer. So, I do not have that tool to keep from having a recurrance. I think that I would take it if I did and had a reason as well. My cancer was very aggressive but, it was noninvasive. The noninvasive part would dictate no further treatment, but, the aggressive kind that I had would have dictated the tamoxofin, etc, meds.

I think that I would take them, I think. I am not sure though. I do not do well with side affects, I get really anxious and it pushes me to the brink.

Good luck with your decision...it has to be hard.

Jan

Hi! I have been on Arimidex since July 1 this year. I did not take Tamoxiphen first as I am post menopausal. So far no side effects I can attribute directly to the Arimidex. I have a few hot flashes, but not at all severe and I had them about the same since menopause. A few aches and pains here and there, but very minor and probably no more than the usual for my age (56). I would certainly give it a try if your doc thinks it's the way to go, and you can always stop anytime should you be one of the unlucky ones to develop bad side effects. Good luck either way! Di

Hi Marysun,
I have been on tamoxifen for just over 10 months. I do remember my oncologist talking about switching me only because she thought maybe I would have a better chance without reoccurance with the newer drug. But I can tell you this, I have had no joint pain and my "warm flashes" have deminished to practically nothing. I am 42 years old so I was pre-menopausal. I think I am considered post memopausal now because I have been without a period since chemo last July. As far as weight gain, yes I have gained some but it was weight that was well needed because I was so sick from the chemo. I think I am pretty much back to were I started weight wise before this nightmare all began. The one thing I have learned is that exercise if VERY important and the other is that we all are effected differently with the meds. So while others say they have gained 20 pounds others of us have not.
I was very rebellous in taking the tamoxifen because of the weight gain. I am a personal trainer and work out a great deal and was scared to death of the weight gain. I called the American Cancer Society and spoke with the research department and asked them what the weight was, was it water weight, was it from eating to much, was it from lack of exercise because of joint pain...what what...They told me that recent studies showed that women on tamoxifen gained no more weight than women not taking it. So I think it all depends on how active a person is and how their body handles the meds. I know I may sound a bit petty about the weight gain, after all I should be just glad I am alive,..AND I AM!! but I also wanted to lead the kind of life that I am use to living.
I think the key is maintaining an exercise program know matter what level of fitness you are and eating a nutrious diet.
I am planning on working with women in our situation in recovery to get them physically back to where they were or helping them to build up strength while undergoing treatments and helping them feel better by staying active during and after recovery.
Kris

Hi marysun, I finished my chemo in May of 2003 and started taking Arimidex immediately. It has never upset my stomach and I have only had 1 hot flash in over a year. I do suffer osteoporosis and am stiff after riding in a car for any distance or upon getting out of bed in the morning. My mother's side of the family all suffered from osteoporosis and non took Arimidex. I'm certain it doesn't help my situation but I'm not convinced it caused it. Other than stiffness, I have no complaints. I've always considered myself one of the lucky ones whose cancer was significantly ER+. This allows me to take a drug that has proven it's ability to protect against recurrance in study after study. I take Bextra for the stiffness and Fosamax for the osteoporosis. Several of my middle aged friends take the same drugs and have never had breast cancer. You must certainly decide what's best for you but I'm glad to hear you'll give Arimidex a try. Going without it, for me, would be like flying without a net. Good luck.
terri

Hi, I've been on Arimidex for a year and have experienced no side effects. Do whatever it takes to prevent a recurrance.
Good luck,
Sue