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NatF's avatar
NatF
Member
4 years ago

Arimidex- 7 years

I have been on Arimidex for 7 years and wanted to know does the medication get worse over time? I have found this year harder than the others? Also if you have stopped, do you worry about it coming back? I have a 14 year old daughter and was hoping to get going until she is 18 however I am unsure I can :( I am 48? My oncologist is saying she understands and have tried others but I had such bad side affects and went back on Arimidex.  I was stage 2 grade 1 two lymph nodes micro though.  I had double mastectomy lymph node removal (21) and chemo, radiation, radical hysterectomy.  I just want to feel normal again but I don’t it back either.  I am so conflicted 😐 and need help 

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  • Lisa1407's avatar
    Lisa1407
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    4 years ago
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    Not with Arimidex specifically, I have found the side effects of some treatments do get worse or less bearable over time. It is like your body is saying "I have had enough of this, I can't tolerate it any more"!
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
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    4 years ago
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    Well done for sticking with it for 7 years already @NatF!  Awesome!  The side effects of all of them can be a pain, but some women have less SEs on one AI to another.    Have you had any 'breaks' from it at all?  Like having a month or two off, now & then?  Quite a few of us have done that too.  The longer you are on it, the better xx

    I've tried Letrozole and Exemestane & have found Arimidex/Anastrozole to be the best for me - so far ..... if it goes belly up, my only other option is Tamoxifen!  

    I hope it settles.  Take care xx
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
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    4 years ago
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    That sounds like an option to try. 
    For me I suffer bone pain in the legs and neuralgia otherwise I think my body has adjusted.  At times the pain drives me nutty
    For some add menopause and the reasoning goes out the window

    Your long term well being is the aim

    Best wishes 
    Take care⚘
  • NatF's avatar
    NatF
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    4 years ago
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    Yes 10 years but if I can stay on longer she would be happy for that.  I was thinking of changing to Tamoxifen to see if side effects weren’t as bad? 
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
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    4 years ago
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    @NatF

    It's a so and so when the medication and it's side effects dominate our everyday 

    Within months of starting on Aromatose Inhibitors the time frame suggested to me had changed from 5 years to 10 years 

    Below is a link from BCNA on the topic with links within 

    "Hormone therapy | Breast Cancer Network Australia" https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-therapy/

    In 6 years I have been on Tamoxifen and Zoladex injections, Letrozole, Aromasin and now back on Tamoxifen 

    Side effects are still there but not as intense with Tamoxifen at present,  touch wood!

    Has your Oncologist given you a suggested time frame?

    Take care