Posted on:
Nov 19, 2018 07:30PM
Greater Houston Area, Texas, USA
Joined:
Nov 2012
Posts:
88
Latest activity:
Nov 20, 2018
Strike_Two
wrote:
My doctor believes there is a slight - but real - benefit to extended usage, but says he is completely fine with my decision either way.
I feel like I have aged 15 years on the Arimidex. My hair is thinner, my skin is dry, dry, dry, and I look quite a bit older, imo. I had numerous symtoms (hot flashes, etc.), but those have long gone away.
Anyway, I can't help but wonder what this drug is doing to the inside of my body, considering what the outside looks like. 
What is your doctor telling you? Has he quantified the benefit of extended drug use? For example - five percent better chance of survival?????
Thanks!
12/03/12 BMX with TEs. ILC, Stage 2b, grade 1, 1/4 nodes positive. TE's removed due to infection. Multiple procedures to clean out infection. Blood transfusions. Sent home on wound vac. 9/2007 DCIS, grade 2-3, lumpectomy, rads
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Peregrinela…
Joined:
Feb 2017
Posts:
981
Latest activity:
Mar 1, 2021
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Nov 20, 2018 12:27AM
Peregrinelady
wrote:
There is a test called BCI (breast cancer index) that can give you the benefit of taking antihormonals longer than five years based on your tumor.
Dx
4/24/2015, IDC, Left, 2cm, Stage IIB, Grade 2, 1/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Surgery
5/18/2015 Mastectomy: Left
Hormonal Therapy
6/1/2015 Liquid tamoxifen (Soltamox)
Surgery
4/18/2016 Mastectomy: Right; Prophylactic ovary removal; Reconstruction (left): DIEP flap; Reconstruction (right): DIEP flap
Hormonal Therapy
7/31/2016 Arimidex (anastrozole)
Hormonal Therapy
7/20/2020 Femara (letrozole)
claireinaz
Joined:
Sep 2011
Posts:
2,658
Latest activity:
Feb 6, 2021
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Nov 20, 2018 07:46AM
claireinaz
wrote:
My MO told me, because I'm high risk (see my status below) that I'll be on Aromasin at least 10 years and maybe more, because she believes ongoing research will prove--is proving-that recurrence rates continue to drop the longer we are on AIs.
I'm going on seven years (tamoxifen, then arimidex, which gave me such awful side effects I threatened to quit, which is why I'm on aromasin now) for all hormone txs. No real life-disturbing side effects on Aromasin yet, so I hope to hang in there as long as I can. We will see.
Claire in AZ
9/29/11 ILC, 2 c. stage II grade 1, ER/PR+ HER2-, 6/11 nodes, lumpectomy, DDAC x 4, Taxol x 12, 33 rads, Tamoxifen/arimidex/aromasin, BMX/immed recon 7/3/13 "In the midst of winter, I found in me an invincible summer.” Albert Camus