Hi everyone, this is my first time on this site. I was dx feb 11, had a lumpectomy, due to start radiotherapy in the next couple of weeks. My problem is i have to chose between Tamoxifen or Arimidex. I am pre-men, so if i go for arimidex, i have to have the implant/injections mthly for 5 years, or can have tamoxifen for 2yrs then arimidex for 3 yrs. I am really concerned about what i’ve read on the net about joint pain when on arimidex, but need some feedback on if tamoxifen is good enough?
I was prescribed arimidex, been on it a year, no problems for me…post men., can’t say about the tamoxifen.
As I understand it Arimidex and Tamoxifen work in a different way and if you are pre-men then you should absolutely not be advised to take Arimidex as it won’t work for you - so I don’t understand this choice.
You are given Tamoxifen or Arimidex if you are oestrogen positive (meaning that your cancer is stimulated by this in your body). Tamoxifen is given pre-men and/or post-men, but Arimidex is ONLY post men.
This is because, after the menopause, the ovaries no longer produce oestrogen, but it is still produced by the fatty tissues in your body, so Arimidex only works on this. If your ovaries are still making oestrogen, then they need to be blocked from affecting/stimulating your cancer, and Arimidex won’t do this.
So, you could be given a choice is you were post-men, but if you are pre then it has to be Tamoxifen. You can switch to Arimidex if you go through the menopause, but if there is any doubt as to your menopausal status then Tamoxifen is the one to go for due to the side effects AND the fact that Arimidex won’t block the source of the oestrogen.
Are you sure that your onc. isn’t thinking you might be peri-menopausal not pre? It is still safer to do the 2yrs on T and 3 years on Arimidex (if you become clearly post-men).
Annie22
glittery can i just ask if you have mets? just that pre-meno arimidex & zoladex isnt standard treatment for primary breast cancer.
is it part of a research trial?
the standard treatment for premenopausal hormone positive primary breast cancer is 5 years of tamoxifen.
i would be very wary of taking an AI if your not premenopausal as arimidex works be getting rid of the oestrogen in the body and in pre menopausal functioning ovaries work even harder to try to produce oestrogen so could actually give a surge of oestrogen which could be detrimental… its being trialled for use as a fertility treatment.
all that said for pre-menopausal women with stage 4 hormone positive disease arimidex and zoladex is the 2nd line option… although sometimes used as first line depending on the consultant… if your periods return with stage 4 disease they usually arent so fussed about preserving your ovaries so would prob just whip them out… but i know some women with stage 4 disease have gone on to have kids but i think they may be in the minority… but a lot will depend on what you want yourself.
hope that helps.
Lulu
Hi, I was diagnosed in Feb 2009 and started tamoxifen after usual treatment (surgery/chemo/radiotherapy). Unfortunately the tamxoifen didn’t work for me and I had a recurrence so am now on armidex with the zoladex implant. I found the tamoxifen no bother at all apart from some hot flushes. Zoladex/arimidex combination def has left me more tired and with some joint pain. The zoladex/arimidex is a more extreme option as you are going through menopause and have the long term effects of that to consider as well, especially osteoporosis.
I would go with the easier option first and see how that goes - am sure your oncologist will be able to guide you.
Best of luck, V