Topic: Tamoxifen or Armidex

Just to give you an example of another sort--I started out on tamoxifen because I am premenopausal.  Had NO side effects.  I got so worried it wasn't working that last week I started lupron to shut down my ovaries so I can start taking arimidex. 

It is very possible to take either tamoxifen or one of the AI's and have NO side effects, or very few.  The only real way to know how you will respond is to try it.  Scary, I know.  But you can always stop taking them, or try a different one.  I'm sure more ladies will be along shortly with more opinions and experiences to share.  Hang in there!

Mel,

I am 43 but the Dr. did a test that shows right now I am post menopausal, however he did say that either one would work.  I am afraid of osteoporosis and I know that Armidex can cause bone loss I am too young for that right now.

Native,

Are you pre menopause or post.  Right now I am post menopause, but I have read posts that woman have gotten their period back in 8 months or so.....

How are you doing on the Armidex?

June

This isn't the deciding factor, but if all else is equal, just know that Tamoxifen is a LOT cheaper than Arimidex if you don't have any insurance. Arimidex is about $500 a month if you don't have insurance, and Tamoxifen is an older "generic" and inexpensive. Again, don't make a decision based on $ unless you have to, but generally Tamoxifen has fewer SEs also. If you are pre-menopausal, I'd try Tamoxifen first. Good luck to you, and keep talking with your onc.

Laura,

I did hear that Tamoxifen is cheaper because it has been on the market for so long.  I really don't want to take any hormones at all and am afraid of the SE's.  My father and brother had strokes at a very young age and I hear Tamoxifen can cause strokes.  Armidex I hear can cause bone loss and I already have arthritis in my back due to an injury years ago.  My blood test shows I am post-menopausal now but I have heard of woman going back to being pre menopause as well.  So... I really don't know. 

June

Hi June,

I am 43 too, 44 in May.  I am a 2 1/2 year survivor of idc, 4 cm tumour (grade 3), highly er/pr+ and 3 positive nodes.

Chemo did not put me into menopause, even after 6 months.  I had to do a Zoladex injection once every 3 months to chemically shut down my ovaries.  I have been on Armidex for 2 years and had my last Zoladex injection end of February as I am having my ovaries removed so that I can remain on Armidex.

My oncologist wanted to be aggressive with my treatment due to my age, tumour size, grade so started me on Armidex as a first line of hormonal treatment.  There is a study out there, the name escapes me at present that has shown that the AI's are better at reducing reoccurances than Tamoxifen.

I have done fairly well on Armidex, take 1500 mg of calcium and 800 of vitamin d every day.  My most recent bone density scan showed some bone loss since my last one a year ago but still within normal range.

My s/e's on Armidex have been hotflashes, insominia and some mood swings initially.  The hotflashes I manage with Evening Primose Oil which is a herb that was recommended by my oncologist.  I also take immovane for sleep.  I havent slept well since my bc diagnosis and chemo treatments.

I do have some swelling in my ankles and my feet hurt but I soak them in my hottub each night and it is tolerable for now.

You can always try Tamoxifen and if it doesnt agree with you switch.  The only thing about Armidex is that you have to ensure that you are post menopausal and remain that way for it to work.  So if your not you would have to chemically supress your ovaries through Zoladex or Lupron injections or surgically remove them.

I have heard of ladies over 40 that have got their periods back some time post chemo. 

All the best in your decision.

Your bc sister

Michele 

Well, to be honest, reading the package insert was enough to scare me off, but with like 90% ER+, who am I kidding? I know these drugs help.

I was diagnosed 3 months after a decision to take responsibility for my health - I started exercising and losing weight, and I started actually going to the doctor for things besides colds (my gynecologist and allergist had retired, and I was sort of coasting on refills, using a local large practice when something had to be seen).  I agreed to a bone scan baseline, thinking I would get the least scarey things out of the way, and, boom, osteoporosis in my back! And the trip to the knee doctor - maybe we can support you, but you really need to have knee replacement surgery. There's no cartilige in there. Enough to make a girl not want to go to the doctor!

Then I found THE LUMP.

I've been lucky - Stage 1, Grade 1. Had lumpectomy, Rads (whole other story), and now it's time for the hormones.

The doctor at the Tumor Board tried her best to tell me that Arimidex was what I needed, but I had lots of questions - like, my joints are already destroying themselves (maybe from steroids I took for my asthma?), what will AIs do to me? And, when you did blood workup, I had high cholesterol - what will AIs do to that? And, I'm a recovering alcoholic - what would tamoxifen do to my liver?

I guess they hate patients like me.

Eventually, I switched to a doctor outside the Breast Center where I had my surgery done - I asked everybody I knew who they or their friends went to - and 5 people gave me the same name.

Her take on this is - because my tumor is so well differentiated, and my margins were so good, my 10 yr recurrence is likely about 10%. If I choose to do nothing, she would understand. If I want to try, she recommended tamoxifin  for a couple of years, and, if it works, we'll reexamine in a few years. If I can't take the SEs, we can try something else.

I'm NOT going to be one of those people who lies to her doctor, and I am the primary breadwinner, and carry the health insurance. And our daughter is LE, so I still have to work,

In the meantime, I'm working with a physical therapist to strengthen my legs, working out daily and eating healthy to get the extra weight off my bod, and ...

yesterday I took my first tamoxifin pill.

It's our choice. I'm comfortable with mine, today.

Michele,

That was what my Dr. told me as well that I had nothing to worry about because my Mother was post-menopausal and that is not true.  You have everything to worry about is what I am now finding out.  My mother was the only child but at least 4 of her 1st cousins and her grandmother.  One of her cousins was actually 45 when she was diagnosed so I am the youngest in the family. 

OMG, when I have a hot flash when I am at work I need to walk outside and hope that it is cool enough to cool me off.  When I am at my sisters house on Sundays for dinner I just wip my wig off my BIL thinks it is the funniest thing.  When I sleep I sleep with my fans on to help cool me off then if I get one I just come out from the covers.  I started hot flashes soon after chemo ended I guess that is one way of knowing I am post menopause.

I feel the same way I don't want to look back and say Darn, but I really don't want to take it at all. 

June,

I did not do the oncotype as my surgeon felt I had positive nodes so went straight to the full aux node dissection and skipped SNB.  My tumour was also 4 cm, the thought never even crossed my mind.  To be honest, I didnt know that this test existed when I was first diagnosed I was so "shell shocked".  I;m not sure if it is covered by OHIP here as I reside in Canada....

I often wondered about my doctor's saying that since my aunt was post menopausal when diagnosed that their is no history of bc.  My younger sister who is 41 is awaiting an appt on May 12 to see my surgeon as she had a cyst show up on her mamo and ultrasound that was not there last year.

Here in Canada they can actually cancel any life insurance policies that you may hold prior to bc, which I do have if you get the genetic testing done...its just not right!

The only time that the hotflashes dont affect me is when I do my workouts as I am hot anyways....they can be brutual sometimes....

Your bc sister

Michele 

Has anyone been on Fareston?  Dr. switched me from tomoxifin to Fareston because of the joint and muscle pain but i cant seem to find much info on Fareston.  It is for postmen. but i am still premen.  i too, am tired of feeling like i am 100 yrs old-only 46.

June,

Yes they can cancel any existing life insurance policies i may have if I test positive for gene.  It is all about not wanting to pay out claims.  They look at that you are now a huge risk and can cancel it.  

 My younger sister got her surgeon's appt moved up to Thursday of this week from Monday, so is bummed and nervous having to wait longer but I am thinking good thoughts for her....one in the family is enough...

Love

Michele 

does anyone have exhaustion from arimidex?what can you do for it     ?