AIs (Aromatase Inhibitors)

New Protocols
I am a 10 year survivor of breast cancer (stage 1a, ER/PR+, HER2+). Now my 75 year old sister has been diagnosed with stage 1a, ER+,HER2- breast cancer. She Iives in a distant state, so I cannot go with her to all of her doctor's appointments. She saw her oncologist today for the first time and was told she is most likely…
Looking for others with low risk, less than 2cm, IDC stage 1 grade 1HR+ HER2- on endocrine therapy
Are you like me? What endocrine therapy did you follow or are you following? Pre- or perimenopausal, stage 1, grade 1, low risk, node-negative, no genetic risk, screen detected ladies, let's hear from you! What were you prescribed and how have you changed it up over your therapy? What has worked for you? I've seen four…
Aromatase inhibitors versus tamoxifen
I had a double mastectomy in October of 2023, radiation, fortunately no chemo. I began an aromatase inhibitor, Anastrozole, in January of 2024. At about five months in, I began to experience joint pain. It wasn't bad, just a little annoying. As the months passed, it got a bit worse, so my doctor switched me to another AI,…
Two Hospitals Provided fully two different treatments, I can not believe that
I was diagnosed Breast Cancer , ER+ 90, PR-, KI67-30% Tumor 1.8cm, her2 negative, ALAND lymph notes 3/6 positive found from surgery. stage 2, I have done surgery 07/30/2025. Oncotype score 14, UT Southwester Hospital provided the treatment with T 12 time once a week, and AC 4 times, every two weeks. Radiation 30 days. I…
Early Stage Breast Cancer - anyone on Letrozole and Ribociclib?
Wondering if anyone has been diagnosed with Early Stage Breast Cancer and on AI/Ribociclib regimen? I’m going to start after radiation and wondering how your treatment is going and if there are any tips out there! Thanks in advance!
Sex is difficult
I am finished with right mastectomy and reconstruction and left breast reduction and I'm on Anastrazole for 3 more years. My biggest issue is with sex. We always had a great relationship with sex. It was wonderful. Now I find, I cannot climax. I actually don't really have any pleasurable feelings when he touches me. I use…
Top Breast Cancer Research at ASCO 2025
Top Breast Cancer Research at ASCO 2025 Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky explains DESTINY-Breast09, ASCENT-04, and SERENA-6. Jun 2, 2025 The 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting featured five days of presentations and educational sessions on all types of cancer. Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, a board-certified…
Switching from AI to Tamoxifen - Bone loss
Hi, I just met with a new oncologist after the retirement of my previous one. I have been on an Aromatase Inhibitor for six years with worsening bone loss. Taking Fosamax. The new oncologist suggests switching to Tamoxifen. Total treatment time would be 8 years vs. target of 7 if I stay on AI. Has anyone had or considered…
Tamoxifen vs. Ovarian Suppression & AI
Hello! I am new here, newly diagnosed and trying to navigate all this. I was diagnosed with ILC in June 2024 and opted for a bilateral mastectomy, right breast was healthy. Currently with tissue expanders, waiting for implants in a couple months. Stage 1A, tumor was 1.7cm (grade 2), high ER+/high PR+, HER2-, Ki67 15%.…
Discontinuing Anastrozole
Hi All - In 2024 I had diagnosis of Stage 2A ductal carcinoma ER/HR+ HER2 -. BRCA 2 positive. 3cm tumor no metastasis to lymph nodes. I took an aggressive stance on surgeries, opting for a double mastectomy with nipple removal (January 2024) and then removed my ovaries and fallopian tubes in September 2024. I started AI…
Need help thinking through AI with ovarian suppression
My MO would like me to start an AI and ovarian suppression/removal. I am 42. Onc score was 31 for IDC with lobular component. No nodes. I understand that I do have a risk of recurrence but I also value an active lifestyle. I had no question mentally regarding the mastectomy and chemo. I do not feel peaceful about the…
Has anyone here declined aromatase inhibitors?
I am 70 and recently had a lumpectomy for stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma, 7mm. No lymph nodes involved. My oncologist prescribed anastrozole but I refuse to take it. I've done my homework and it's a quality of life issue for me. I already have mild arthritis, osteoporosis and thinning hair. I don't need more of that and…
Can Hormonal Therapy Help Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?
Can Hormonal Therapy Help Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer? Dec 6, 2024 Dr. Donald McDonnell discusses his research on estrogen, eosinophils, and triple-negative breast cancer. New research suggests that estrogen plays a role in allowing hormone receptor-negative breast cancer to grow. This is because estrogen limits…
Black Women and Hormonal Therapy Sexual Side Effects
Black Women and Hormonal Therapy Sexual Side Effects November 22, 2024 Hormonal therapy is more likely to affect physical quality of life for Black women than white women. Dr. Janeane Anderson discusses her research on the topic. In the THRIVE trial, sexual side effects caused by hormonal therapy led to lower mental…
AI’s after 10 years?
It has been many years since I checked in but it’s so wonderful to see how much this thread has grown! I remember clinging to the hope here when I was first diagnosed, and now am myself more than 13 years out from my stage 3 diagnosis! My question for this wise group is how many of you have remained on an AI for more than…
Exercises to Relieve Side Effects
Nearly all breast cancer treatments cause side effects, including joint pain, fatigue, and anxiety. Exercise may seem like the last thing you want to do when you’re having serious side effects, but research shows that it can help ease all these side effects and more. It can also reduce the risk of recurrence, give you more…
Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer May Lower Dementia Risk in Older Women
Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer May Lower Dementia Risk in Older Women Sep 9, 2024 Protection varied by race and decreased with age. Read more…
Aromatase inhibitors
Hi I am post lumpectomy, micro metastasis in 1 removed lymph node and now faced with the far more daunting ( to me) prospect of taking letrazole oestrogen inhibitor. Does anyone have anything positive to say about them? All I hear is the negative side effects. Others experience would be very welcome. I’m 61, normal weight,…
Doing Well on Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs)
I read a suggestion that someone should start a topic for women who are NOT experiencing severe SEs while taking Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin. I'm about to start taking Arimidex and when I read about the potential SEs I get discouraged. Maybe others would also like to hear about positive experiences. We would love to hear…
Are medicinal mushrooms safe for ER/PR + survivors?
I’m a seven year stage III hormone positive survivor and will be completing 7 years of hormone therapy (currently on Exemestane, but been on Tamox and Letrozole also) in Nov 2024. My Onc recommends I stay on the max length of 10 years. But I’m struggling so much from the side effects and/or what seems like irreversible…
AIs - trading one problem for another
Please let me know if I am understanding this correctly. I am at low risk for recurrence. 7% risk of recurrence in 10 years with AIs, and 14% without. That means I have an 86% chance of NOT having a recurrence without AIs. If this means that out of 100 women, 86 will NOT have a recurrence without AIs, then 86 women will…
Are there side effects when you come off hormone therapy?
Hello - I've been trying to find women who have finished hormone therapy to ask about your experience. What was it like for you to stop taking your medication after 10 years? I expected some anxiety, and I have moments of that. But I was pretty excited to see how I would feel off exemestane. It seemed like it might not be…
Aromatase Hormone inhibitor “5 year pill” side effects?
Has anyone used these? what were your experiences as far as side effects? cardio-muscular-bone damage?
Changes in body shape after double mastectomy and taking aromatase inhibitor
I'm pretty old (age 74), and had my double mastectomy in August 2022 and did not have any reconstruction. I have followed-up with anastrazole daily medication. And even though my body has changed a lot over the years, I have noticed recently that my stomach/abdomen seems much larger. My weight is the same now as before the…
Intermittent dosing of aromatase inhibitors (AI) to improve tolerance in post-menopausal women
An interesting study. I'm hopeful! Abstract P1-12-15: Intermittent dosing of aromatase inhibitors (AI) to improve tolerance in post-menopausal women Clinical rationale: A significant proportion of post-menopausal, patients treated with AI reports side-effects, especially bone pain. In such patients, the difficulties to…
Half and quarter doses of letrozole
I quit the letrozole because of the horrible sise effects. Exemestane was awful and lost 3/4 of my hair and had to use a walker to get around. I started the baby Tam (tamoxifen)and had to quit after 3 weeks the side effects were so bad. I then started the 1/4 tab of letrozole and the side effects were tolerable so I tried…
Did Fosamax/alendronate slow/stop your bone loss
At the decision making point of whether to continue Aromatase Inhibitor. Just began alendronate a few months ago. Next DEXA due in July. Did Fosamax/alendronate pump the brakes on your bone loss while you continued with Aromatase Inhibitor? Or did your scores continue to decline at the same rate? Or did you see improvement…
Obesity Ups Recurrence Risk in Women Treated With Aromatase Inhibitors
Obesity Ups Recurrence Risk in Women Treated With Aromatase Inhibitors Nov 24, 2023 The risk of breast cancer recurrence is higher in women with obesity treated with an aromatase inhibitor. Read more…
My insurance company wants me to switch aromatase inhibitors! Why!
I've been on exemestane for almost 4 years, tolerating it remarkably well. Just got a letter from my insurance company. Starting in January, exemestane is "non-preferred" and will cost me more. The insurance company suggests I "switch to anastrozole." I'm angry! I don't want to switch medications, given that the one I'm on…
Any POSITIVE stories about AIs or Tamoxifen?
I am seeing a lot of posts seem to indicate that AIs are frequently stopped due to side effects that are not bearable. I am on Tamoxifen and expect my onco to recommend me changing to an AI. I have gained at least 10 lbs since starting T just shy of 2 years ago. I do have joint pain (specific to the hip area) but am sure…

AIs (Aromatase Inhibitors)

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