Arimidex - the maximum duration?
I have just clocked over 10 years on hormone therapy with at least 9 of the years taking Arimidex. My surgeon is my go to for yearly follow up appointments and he recommended that I carry on after the...
Forum Discussion
Thanks Arpie,
I haven't had anyone congratulate me for a long time in regard to my BC progress. I think to all my family and friends they think I look fine, so to them it is all behind me. That in itself is a good sign but from time to time I read or hear something that reminds me reoccurrence is a possibility.
I live in the lovely Adelaide Hills, was diagnosed in September 2007 at the age of 43 with early stage BC. I had a sentimental node biopsy and lumpectomy. Two nodes showed up so it was back under the knife for a full auxiliary clearance. This also added chemo to my treatment plan as well as radiotherapy. My surgeon approached the news that my cancer was hormone receptor positive with great positivity, suggesting that the ability to take the hormone therapy drugs was a great insurance policy to have.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say I sailed through the treatment, but I did have a fairy good run with some uplifting stories along the way. That was until the last stage when I started on the Hormone Therapy tablets (Tamoxifen at the beginning) and from the very first day I felt like I had entered a dark dark tunnel and I felt extremely anxious. A few months down the track I changed over to Arimidex in an attempt to improve things, there was no noticeable difference and in the end and ever since I have been on an antidepressant tablet. The difference was phenomenal and I was out of the dark tunnel. Another upside was it almost completely stopped my hot flushes, making a huge difference to my sleeping. I never take a good nights sleep for granted now.
The other way I manage my symptoms is with exercise. Nothing drastic but regular. 30 minute walks 5 times a week ( I have a walking partner - neighbour, we’re on our tenth year ). I also do 3 x 35 minute resistance and stretching routines a week (needed to combat the loss of bone density) and one session of Pilates a week. The important thing I would recommend here is not to try and get all these things happening at once as that could be a recipe for failure. Without an overall plan I just accomplished one of these activities until they became second nature, then along came another suggestion or need and I was then in a good place to take on another challenge. Exercise is something that each person can control which can be a contrast to the control that same person doesn’t have as they progress through treatment so it can also be great mentally.
Again thanks for your lovely response
Jennikens
I haven't had anyone congratulate me for a long time in regard to my BC progress. I think to all my family and friends they think I look fine, so to them it is all behind me. That in itself is a good sign but from time to time I read or hear something that reminds me reoccurrence is a possibility.
I live in the lovely Adelaide Hills, was diagnosed in September 2007 at the age of 43 with early stage BC. I had a sentimental node biopsy and lumpectomy. Two nodes showed up so it was back under the knife for a full auxiliary clearance. This also added chemo to my treatment plan as well as radiotherapy. My surgeon approached the news that my cancer was hormone receptor positive with great positivity, suggesting that the ability to take the hormone therapy drugs was a great insurance policy to have.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say I sailed through the treatment, but I did have a fairy good run with some uplifting stories along the way. That was until the last stage when I started on the Hormone Therapy tablets (Tamoxifen at the beginning) and from the very first day I felt like I had entered a dark dark tunnel and I felt extremely anxious. A few months down the track I changed over to Arimidex in an attempt to improve things, there was no noticeable difference and in the end and ever since I have been on an antidepressant tablet. The difference was phenomenal and I was out of the dark tunnel. Another upside was it almost completely stopped my hot flushes, making a huge difference to my sleeping. I never take a good nights sleep for granted now.
The other way I manage my symptoms is with exercise. Nothing drastic but regular. 30 minute walks 5 times a week ( I have a walking partner - neighbour, we’re on our tenth year ). I also do 3 x 35 minute resistance and stretching routines a week (needed to combat the loss of bone density) and one session of Pilates a week. The important thing I would recommend here is not to try and get all these things happening at once as that could be a recipe for failure. Without an overall plan I just accomplished one of these activities until they became second nature, then along came another suggestion or need and I was then in a good place to take on another challenge. Exercise is something that each person can control which can be a contrast to the control that same person doesn’t have as they progress through treatment so it can also be great mentally.
Again thanks for your lovely response
Jennikens