How Many are doing 10 years on Aromatase Inhibitors
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You need to discuss with your doctor taking carafate. It can interfere with the absorption of other meds. I think it isn't prescribed often because it is a hassle to find the proper time to take it. I think it is especially important to discuss with the doctor when you are taking blood pressure meds or diabetes meds. Carafate is a tricky drug to take when you are on other meds.
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Yes, we've had the discussion of the risks/benefits of long-term use. I'd be willing to do without it except for the damage that occurs to my esophagus. Since my youngest brother's already had esophageal cancer due to untreated reflux, my GI says it's either take the pills or have the surgery. I'd rather risk the side effects of Prevacid than esophageal cancer, which generally has a very poor prognosis.
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Hopeful82014, thanks for posting. I believe that many people (millions) take Prevacid and other drugs for GERD and acid reflux. You simply have to take it. I can only come off the drugs for a short time then go right back on. I do try to take extra magnesium to prevent the low magnesium levels and I take calcium.
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Thank you, Hopeful!! Lago, I will ask my onc about Carafate, thank you so much
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Thanks, Lago. I know I can always count on your for your expertise!
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Ha ha not expertise…just my personal experience. You know what I do for a living. I have no medical background.
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Just FYI - untreated reflux and GERD and lead to Barrett's Esophagus and/or Esophageal cancer, even in those with no other risk factors. Furthermore, if one has recurring reflux/GERD that suddenly seems to clear up, that is NOT a good sign. if this applies to you or someone you care about, please have a serious discussion with a GI specialist. All it usually takes is an endoscopy (fairly inexpensive and easy to tolerate) to determine whether something untoward is taking place.
While we think of reflux as simply an annoyance, it truly can damage the molecular structure of the esophagus an lead to serious consequences.
A lot of the stereotypes of esophageal cancer patients are deeply entrenched in physicians' minds and these days many do not meet those stereotypes. Don't let someone tell you that most patients are older (not true), heavier, (not true) and smokers and therefore it's unlikely that a slender, healthy, younger, non-smoker has anything serious going on.
I learned more than I wanted to know about this when my youngest sibling was dx. with it 3 years ago. Feel free to ask any questions.
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Now starting 8 years on the AIs and GERD is the worst side effect. My bone density is normal, cholesterol normal and weight normal. I have been very fortunate.
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That's great to hear, Aug24 - I think sometimes women are so put off by reading about the SE of AIs that they miss out on a truly valuable therapy. Of course, all of us respond differently but at least we have 3 or 4 different AIs to choose from to avoid issues. I for one am truly grateful for this treatment option.
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I really think that everyone who can should take at least the five years. It is very important.
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I agree, Aug24. I am seeing very impressive results with it.
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Aug24
I note you mentioned that you are having GERD from the AI. I have been on Femara 7 years now, and the last 12 months I have developed terrible GERD. I thought it was the AI that was causing the Gerd, but all my docs say that is not a side affect.
I had never experienced Gerd up until 12 months ago, and I felt it was related to the drug. What have you been doing to settle the problem. My GP put me on a proton pump inhibitor for a few months, which didn't help greatly, however I did some research and found out the PPI's cause bone loss, and as I was already having major bone loss from the AI, plus having the ovaries out, I took myself off them. I wasn't very happy with the GP either, because she prescribed the PPI but never mentioned that they can cause bone density issues, I had to find that out for myself.
My gerd started as terrible coughing all the time, with congestion and lots of mucus. I have found that not eating breakfast until later in the morning, seems to help and I then seem to have a better day if I don't eat early just after rising.
Can you advise other things that are helping you manage your Gerd problems.
thanks Ched
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Ched, thanks for your post. You and I have a very close diagnosis and were diagnosed the same year with the same details. I do believe that GERD is a side effect of the AIs and I don't believe that doctors read the information on AIs. I did have a minimal amount of GERD before taking the AIs but it has gotten worse. I have been researching GERD and heartburn and have been trying to do all the right things. Watch the trigger foods, elevate the head of the bed, don't eat before going to bed and this helps. I do use PPIs for two -three weeks and get the GERD to calm down then go off for weeks so I don't stay on continually. My bone density is good so I guess I have been handling this problem correctly. I do believe that we can take the meds for GERD and not be adversely effected if we use them for several weeks just not continually.
Good luck! Melissa
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I've found it very, very helpful not to eat at night. Once I have dinner (which I try to do by 7PM) I brush and floss and that's it for the day. I killed my late-night snacking habit cold-turkey, which was a minor miracle, by doing so. I also avoid anything like crunches, etc., for a couple hours after eating.
Track your trigger foods and be aware that they can change over time. Not everyone responds to the same foods in the same degree.
I hate to say it but losing weight (if needed) seems to help, too. The less I weigh, the fewer problems I tend to notice. But isn't that the case with so many health issues??
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and don't overeat. Better to have small meals than a full belly.
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"and don't overeat. Better to have small meals than a full belly."
I couldn't agree more. In fact, I like to go to bed with a little bit of hunger. It's not as annoying (and easier to accept) when you know it's in a good cause. Surprisingly enough, I've never once starved to death overnight, no matter how empty my stomach!
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hi, Hopeful! Thank you so much for all your great info!! I see my onc, next week and I wil ask her about an endoscopy!! My acid reflux is better since being on the meds! But, curious if symptoms do go away, would that definitely be a sign of esophageal Cancer!! How to a your brother doing now? Thank you so much
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Hi, Kathy - just sent you a PM that should answer your questions, and then some. I hope it helps!
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hopeful - I do the same - brush my teeth after dinner - and then I'm done eating for the night. That has helped a lot with my weight loss. I'm so glad none of us has starved overnight - I loved that comment
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Just want to say I am very thin and still have GERD so I do believe that it is a side effect of the AIs. Still taking them and encourage everyone who should to take at least 5 years its very important.
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weight had nothing to do with gerd. I have never been overweight.
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I'm pretty thin and still have it - as do many members of my extended family on my mother's side, most of whom are very fit, very active and slender. And I've had GERD much longer than I've been taking Femara.
Still, it could be a SE in any one individual's case; I'm definitely not discounting that possibility.
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I have been trying something that MD Anderson is doing in research. Try sleeping on your left side and elevating the head of the bed. MD Anderson is trying to invent a pillow that keeps the upper body elevated and encourages sleeping on the left side. So far this has decreased my GERD by at least 50%.
Good luck to all.
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I have LE in my left arm. No sleeping on left side for me.
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There was just an article in the paper about dealing with GERD. The doctor recommended these things, so I thought I'd pass them along. Most of been covered, but....
* if you are too heavy, lose weight
* avoid eating large meals, eat smaller & more frequent meals
* avoid eating 2 or 3 hours before bedtime
* sleep with your upper body slightly elevated about stomach level; pillows won't do it, you need blocks or a wedge shaped cushion
* avoid personal trigger foods
* (this one I have never heard of before) completely avoid foods with mint. 'Mint may loosen the passageway from the stomach to the esophagus and allow acidic material to back up into the esophaguas and the throat'.
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Thanks, Ruth, great info . I see my onc, tomorrow and see when I can another endoscopy!!!
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I just hit my ten year mark last month. I have been on anti-hormonals for nine years and will continue indefinitely as long as my bone health holds up. I am a stage 3b, ILC survivor. My onc and myself are too afraid for me to not continue with what seems to be working, so far.
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Jillian you go girl. 10 years, NED and your bones are still holding up. That's awesome.
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Jillian, so glad you posted. I am past 7 years on the AIs and very few SEs and bone density is normal. I had Stage 2 with isolated tumor cells so its important to continue the AIs if possible.
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