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tamoxifen or armidex

ruthielaine
ruthielaine CSN Member Posts: 59
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am 53 and pretty much through menopause and onc said she can switch me from Tamoxifen to an aromatase inhibitor - I've only been on tamoxifen for 8 months - it seems like most people stay on the tamoxifen longer - any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
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  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 CSN Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #2
    5 yrs
    I have been on tamoxifen for just over year and will be for 4 more years. I went through menopause about same time as cancer-Did Dr say why he is changing meds?
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  • ruthielaine
    ruthielaine CSN Member Posts: 59
    #3
    My onc said that the
    My onc said that the aromatase inhibitor has slightly higher success rate for post menopausal women than tamoxifien but my radiologist says its not that much of a difference. Just wondering what others are doing. Thanks.
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  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow CSN Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #4
    Ruthie, my situation is the
    Ruthie, my situation is the opposite of yours. I was on Arimidex since late last year; I am 56 years old. At my first mammo after treatments (lumpectomy, chemo & rads)I had discovered a small lump in the same affected breast. This was in a different location but same left breast. I had a bi-lateral mastectomy in August this year. My onc originally switched me from Arimidex to Aromasin and at my last visit discussed changing me to Tamoxifen. She drew blood to test to determine if my body would metabolize the Tamoxifen. If so, then she wants me to switch for at least a couple of years. Her thinking is that the Arimidex wasn't doing its job if the cancer reoccurred. I'm a little concerned with the side effects of Tamoxifen versus Arimidex or Aromasin. I haven't heard back with the results as of yet.
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