Tamoxifen or an Aromatase Inhibitor?

[LadyTE]

I had a lumpectomy for DCIS and lobular neoplasia.  All was removed and margins were clear.  Sentinel nodes clear too.  No invasive cancer.  Will soon start radiation, after which I will start hormonal therapy.  I am post-menopausal. Oncologist seems to be pushing Tamoxifen.  But I keep reading good things about aromatase inhibitors too.  All of these drugs seem to have some side effects and some of the negative effects are pretty scary.
Would love to hear from ladies who have been on any of these drugs.  What side effects did you have?  Any major problems (e.g. endometrial thickening, blood clots, osteoporosis, etc.)?  Did you have to stop taking them?
By what percentage does taking one reduce the chance of reoccurence or the chance of a new cancer developing?  Also, does anyone know why 5 years is the protocol?

[SueYoung55]

japdip is right, not all women get all side effects nor do they get them to the same extreme. Then there are some that get most of them, like me. I won't even go into the feminine issues I had with it.

I found that tamoxifen didn't faze me at all until about 3 months in and then got progressively more "aggressive" with me as time went on. I had brain fog, vertigo, I couldn't sleep and couldn't think straight either what with all the rest going on! By a year & a half I was having hot flashes that were painful, what I call Hair on Fire flashes! The bone & joint pain made me finally say "enough". I couldn't get up and walk without it feeling like bones were breaking and I was thinking "just shoot me and put me out of my misery" already.

The aromasin isn't any better except there isn't any brain fog with it... and I hope that doesn't mean "yet".

Post menopausal women tend to go straight to the AI's. As much as I hated what tamoxifen did to me, I'm profoundly greatful for what it's still doing FOR me. Please let us know how you're doing :)

[Cheerpul]

I had extensive DCIS and a .5 cm tumor of invasive cancer in one breast.  I  have been on Tamoxifen along with Herceptin and Zometa for about 5 months following a mastectomy and chemotherapy.  The only side effect that I have noticed is hot flashes at night (1 or 2 usually where I wake up feeling like my bed is on fire.)  I have a friend also taking tamoxifen who has much more frequent hot flashes and some joint pain, but it is, according to her, "not so bad."

The five year treatment period that is often used comes from some studies that were done which showed the efficacy of 5 years of treatment.  The statistical reduction in rate of recurrance is significant and your doctor should be able to give you that statistic based on your particular characteristics.

Thinking of you.

[japdip]

Both drugs have essentially the same side effects but not everyone will experience all the side effects and also not to the same degree. The most complaints I hear from those taking Tamoxifen is the bone and joint pain. Some women stop the drug, some change to another drug and some just stick it out for the duration. They are given to lessen the chance of recurrance; new cancers can always occur and not be hormone dependant. It's not always the 5 year recommendation ... some Oncologists recommend even 10 years of therapy.    Regards ....