Aromasin

Lee and Lyn, Moira, Tonya and others,

Just sitting here at work and decided to log in....Lyn - I'll be at the club tomorrow to catch up at 10:30am!

I just read through all the comments on this post again and was wondering how you are Lee? It is really hard that the drugs they give you for this disease are so tough on us. Motivation declines, depression, hot flushes....aches! We don't need all of this when we have just come through breast cancer?! It doesn't seem fair.

Tonya, I live in fear of a recurrence as you have had....how are you? I declined arimidex but sometimes wonder if that is the right thing to do. But honestly, my hot flushes have been so bad lately without any drugs that I hate to think how I'd feel if on the drug.

Lynda

Hi lee, how are things now? I hope the Aromasin is settling down now. I am still taking the Arimidex and the side effects are much les now. I still get the wave of nausea every now and again but nowhere near as many. The headaches have lessened too which is marvelous. I'm not sure about the grumpiness. Bob reckons I am still quick to fire but I am trying hard to not take offence and relax more.

Hope to see you on the 27th at 5pm at the Bowls Club. We are having another in the mornings (actually tomorrow at 10.30am) for those that can't make afternoons so if you are off..come and see us and tell us about your holiday!!

Love, Lynne

Hi Lee,

I had my first bout of breast cancer 7yrs ago at the age of 47.I wasn't through the menopause at that time and so Tamoxifen made me miserable.They tried me on several other drugs and none agreed with me.I'd be having hot flushes every 15mins,bad headaches and very depressed.So I ditched them and put myself on flaxseed supplement.I was ok for 5 yrs then I broke my ankle and had 2yrs of operations and not paying attention to my nutrition etc.So last year cancer came back in the same spot,same breast.So much for the radiation! I've had chemo and now on Tamoxifen.It sort of agrees with me this time,probably cos I'm older.But I was getting hot flushes,not sleeping well and feeling down.My onc. put me on a low dose antidepressant called Endep 10mg and it has really helped with all those symptoms.I am committed to take Tamoxifen because I've had a recurrence.But I don't believe you should suffer on a drug.

                                  Tonya

I have no ideas about one drug versus the other - but my question is...Are you sure you need to be on any of them?

See my blog and the stats I was presented with recently. I opted not to go on any long term meds at all and the onc was happy with my choice.

Reducing the risk of recurrannce is important - but so is quality of life. It will depend on the stats for your grade.etc.

Look forward to seeing you at our next catch up,

Lyn x

I have no ideas about one drug versus the other - but my question is...Are you sure you need to be on any of them?

See my blog and the stats I was presented with recently. I opted not to go on any long term meds at all and the onc was happy with my choice.

Reducing the risk of recurrannce is important - but so is quality of life. It will depend on the stats for your grade.etc.

Look forward to seeing you at our next catch up,

Lyn x

hi Lee, i like Tanya am on Arimidex, and i was very depressed, Grumpy, crying and no energy.  I was then prescribed a mild anti depressants, which helped me, i was determined not to go on them at first (had the prescription for a month before getting them), and my surgeon, and breast care nurse informed me that a high percentage of bc patients, need anti depressants, i think i am a strong person and thought i would get through it, but he insisted i wouldnt and it could get worse so i gave in and took them, the best thing i ever done, i was on them for a year, and i came off them in Dec, and still feeling great, so although this is not for everyone, its worth talking to the docs. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Take Care Moira

Hi,

Sorry I cant help you with either of these drugs, however, I would suggest that you speak to your onco - you shouldnt have to put up with devastating side effects.  It is bad enough you have cancer, let alone lose your 'zest for life' when taking drugs that are supposed to help you.

I believe there are a lot of hormone drugs out there, maybe it will take a little time to find one that suits you better.  My advise is dont just put up with it.

Good luck

Di  :)

Hi Lee

So sorry you are feeling like this again.  I am on Arimidex, even know you are now on a different drug, they all pretty much do the same things so whilst the side effects may be a little different, they will all be similar.  Dont settle sweety, talk to your onc again, if you have to be on them, maybe they can give you something to combat the depression? But also be a little patient too, I know when I first started on Arimidex, my bones ached, I was depressed and I either got used to it or my body settled, cause I have now been on them 3 years and whilst I still have side effects they are not as bad.

There are always choices, early on I even comtemplated going off them and having a better quality of life, but with young children I couldnt take that risk.

Hang in there and talk to your onc again.

Tanya

Hi Lee

So sorry you are feeling like this again.  I am on Arimidex, even know you are now on a different drug, they all pretty much do the same things so whilst the side effects may be a little different, they will all be similar.  Dont settle sweety, talk to your onc again, if you have to be on them, maybe they can give you something to combat the depression? But also be a little patient too, I know when I first started on Arimidex, my bones ached, I was depressed and I either got used to it or my body settled, cause I have now been on them 3 years and whilst I still have side effects they are not as bad.

There are always choices, early on I even comtemplated going off them and having a better quality of life, but with young children I couldnt take that risk.

Hang in there and talk to your onc again.

Tanya