taking the prescribed drugs for 5 years such as Arimedex at age 74

[stefram]

Because I have already gone thru mena pause, I do not like having the  effects of the drug Arimedex repeating them. I am experiencing joint pain, numbness of hands and arms upon awaking , hot flashes,mental confusion.I would like to not take the drug or anything similar suggested. What can I do? I have had chemo and 35 sessions of radiation.


This discussion is related to why don't the doc tell the truth about meds.

[katarina777]

Just to answer your specific question. The Aromatase Inhibitors
are only for post-menopausal women whereas Tamoxifen is only for pre-menopausal woman but can be used as well by post menopausal women.

[katarina777]

Ask your oncologist how he would advise you if you were his mother?  Kat

[Marylou_II]

You are 74 and done with menopause, now it is up to you to decide what you wish to do, if you can get a second opinion from another Oncologist. I am the kind of person who believes that life quality is far more precious than life quantity. I am 69 and I have decided that no more treatments for me, I am done. Ask yourself and your trusted oncologist the following: 1] How much longer will I lead a quality life if I don't use any Aromatose Inhibitors? 2] If I don't take any more meds how will I feel as time goes by? 3] If I don't take any more meds will I have cancer pains and in about how long? 4] If I have cancer pains are there meds that can take the pain away? Ask yourself and your Oncologist these questions and whatever else you wish to know to make up your own mind.

Before you stick to any medicine or cancer drug, Google for example "Tamoxifen side effects" choose a reliable medical site like Breastcancer.org and read for yourself. Do the same with Arimidex, Aromasin, Femara, Herceptin, Evista, Faslodex & Fareston these are Hormonal Therapy drugs. In the above site there is a chart with all the drugs and all known side effects then it will be easy to compare the drugs, that should help you know what to do. .

Read the mentioned info and then think. Good luck.  

[bluebutterfly2222]

I hope you will discuss this decision thoroughly with your oncologist.

Tamoxifen has been shown "to markedly decrease the risk of cancer recurrence in hormone positive breast cancers."

Your mention of your 84-yr-old sister suggests you could likely live at least another 10 years yourself, so preventing a recurrence could be a real issue, in addition to quality of life...

I hope your sister is doing well.

Best wishes...

[stefram]

thank you for answering my questions. Yes, I wonder too about the quality of life. I have 90 pills to use up and then after that I will decide if I really need to continue. I have a Drs.
appt. in April. The last Dr.  i saw recommended I try Tamoxifen. Reading other comments suggests that tamoxifen is for premenapause women so why did that dr. prescribe that for me? Since I am 74. Reading other comments suggests that arimedex leads to weight gain. that I do not want. My sister is 84 and when she was my age she took arimedex for 5 years. She can not remember anything aout it.I am already taking celebrex and tramidol for pain from arthritis. I had a knee replacement in '06. I do not think I would be able to move at all if I did not have celebrex. Now with these added body aches from arimedex, i am wondering if I can take more than two celebrex per day. I will be seeing my primary dr. soon and will ask him.

[katarina777]

Dear stefram, I don't blame you; how horrible to go through this at your age with hormones again.

I wish I knew how to help you and answer your question but I don't know if any of us can. Even younger women struggle with your dilemma.

It sounds like your cancer was pretty serious as you had all this radiation and chemo?

It's really a decision you ultimately have to make for yourself. You have invested so much in your treatment already and yet it really goes beyond a quality of life you are willing to put up with?

best, katrin