Hi Everyone
I'm a newbie to all of this - both the cancer and the online chatting. I feel I am verrry lucky - early detection - Grade 2 invasive lobular tumour. Tumour removed with good margins and 2 lymph nodes - no travelling. I am almost finished radiation and going well. So I'm about to start on the Arimidex. I am 59 and already have thin bones. I don't like the sound of all the side affects. Does anyone have stats on not taking the drug? Love to hear from anyone.
Hey ladies. I have been on tamoxifen for 11 months now. Before i started i asked my oncologist about side effects and she gave me some literature so did the chemist. The obvious one is hot flushes but from memory higher risk of uterine cancer and blood clots than general population. Please dont quote me on this though as i am still suffering from chemo brain and get things wrong on occasion!! My oncologist did blood work last visit to check hormone levels for possible switch to arimdex. She gave me a booklet on this drug which explains all side effects..which i believe is predominantly aches and pains. I would suggest having a chat to your oncologist to get more info so that you have made an informed decision before you start.
Take care ????
Maryrose
A very warm welcome to the Online Network :). My name is Ann-Marie and I am the Online Community Coordinator here at BCNA.
You have found your feet already with your first post which is great. If you need any help with how to use the Online Network or find information just click our "Getting Started" group. This post has come through to our main blog page where all our members will be able to read and respond.
Please let me know if you need any help.
~ Ann-Marie x
Hello:)I am 60, and have been on Tamoxifen for almost 2 years. I am on this rather than Arimidex because of my advanced osteoporosis .In women that have gone through menopause,tamoxifen actually helps to strengthen the bones.My oncologist explained to me that the difference between the 2 is hardly worth worrying about.Perhaps you could ask about taking Tamoxifen? The side effects have been not bad.Hot flushes to start with,but nothing worth mentioning now.I feel the best I have ever felt.Cheers Robyn. xox
Hello - I am 57, grade 2 invasive lobular cancer - had mastectomy and have had 11 of 33 sessions of radiotherapy so far- will start Letrozole for 10 years- 2 weeks after radiotherapy completed . Already have bad menopausal symptoms ( Google 7 dwarves of menopause - that is me??) since stopping HRT in July, taking vitamin D daily will add calcium in December- bone density was good in July.
Figure this will be my journey for the next 10 years- next see surgeon in January - to check radiotherapy has not damaged implant- then see med oncologist in March-
one day at a time..??
Jan
Hi Newbie, I'm in a similar boat. Lumpectomy for grade 2 invasive ducal cancer and am have had 17 of 30 radio treatments. I am 54 and will need to start tamoxifen according to my surgeon who gave me the script and said take these when you finish radio and see you next March. Sounds like I won't lose bone density with this but some of the other side effects sound pretty awful. Who are we supposed to find out more about it from? Had thought about seeing my local GP when I finish radio. He will be who I run to with problems I'm guessing. Hope you get some answers too.
