Had review with onc yesterday (prof, Royal Marsden-so assume he knows a bit).He suggested continuing Arimidex for a further 5 years as its seems to remain beneficial for node+ women in particular.The long term side effects seem to be few he says (I am already on Alendronic acid for mild ostepenia-which also has to continue for a further 5 years).Unlike a lot of women, I have had arimidex from the outset -despite having been pre menopausal at diagnosis.Is there anyone else who has had Arimidex beyong 5 years?
Thanks
Cherry
I have only been on it for a bit over a year so far but it has been suggested that I will take it for 7 years rather than 5. As I have osteopenia and have very painful joints etc, I am not overjoyed but if it continues to work for me, I daresay I will cope.
Anne
Hi Cherry.
I have been on Arimidex for 2 years and have been told that I will need some form of hormone treatment for life. This is due to a second cancer of 4cm, which grew in 18 months, after finishing 5 years of hormone treatment for the first cancer.
Whether it will be Arimidex or something else I don’t know.
All the best.
Nicola
Hi Nicola
I’m being a bit nosy , but was your 2nd cancer in your breast again ? ie you grew a second tumour after your hormone (?Tamoxifen) treatment finished after 5 years. I think that’s why my ONC is suggesting extending the Arimidex -carry on until it fails.
Cherry
Hi Cherry.
Quick history: 10 years ago cancer left side, mastectomy, chemo, rads then 6 months Tamoxifen but it didn’t agree with me so onto Zoladex for a further 5 years. Within 18 months of finishing Zoladex cancer right breast (assumed to be a second primary) and again mastectomy, chemo, rads and now Arimidex. The second cancer was large so hence the thinking behind extended treatment.
I get a lot of side effects but reckon that it’s either that or dead so try not to think ahead and just keep swallowing those pills:-)
Nicola
Hi,
Mum came to the end of 5 yrs on Arimidex in Aug last year but after a medical team meeting, they decided to keep her on it indefinitely. Think it may well partly have been due to my diagnosis the month before. She is 74 and is quite happy to keep taking one pill a day if it keeps the cancer at bay. The same doctors etc are treating both of us so are aware of the type of cancer, grade & treatment. I was put onto Tamoxifen initially after 9 mths of chemo, surgery & rads but had such side effects I was switched to Arimidex & Zoladex after 6 mths at age 43. Still loads of side effects but it’s that or risk the cancer coming back or spreading from my v small bone mets in spine and ribs. No contest !!
Liz
Thanks for the potted history Nicola, that was helpful -certainly seems worthwhile to carry on with the arimidex -Lizcat I sincerely hope the pills keep your little mets under control - it’s always good to hear of cancer being kept at bay. Incidently my breast radiologist (who I don’t really care for as she’s much too keen to swing the axe around my head everytime I see her )-did say most of the research is now turning to treating mets & that they have one lady being treated in Guildford who was diagnosed with mets 8 years ago and she’s had no progression in all that time.
Cherry
Cherry - thanks for that bit of inspiration ! The surgeon & bcn did say when they told me about it that you can live for years & years with it & they were confident of being able to treat it so that was very reassuring. I had another bone scan in July & that actually showed slight improvement from the one in Jan but that will be from the chemo residue. At least it doesn’t cause me any trouble & I get Zometa as bone strengthener as well.
Liz