After Arimidex

[chalee]

Had my review at the hospital yesterday and have been told to keep taking Arimidex for another year! It seemed a pretty random choice from what I gathered from the chat I had with the surgeon. I suppose his experience has brought him down on the side of more rather than less. Anyway, I'm happy with that. Hope you all are getting the answers you want too. X

[chalee]

Thanks for your comments! It's been a long time since I was diagnosed,8th anniversary on 3rd March. I'm due to see the surgeon (not oncologist)at the end of April. I still see him annually due to other issues and thought he'd actually forgotten I was still on hormone treatment! But last year he noted I still took Arimidex and looked a bit irritated by this. He knows I'm keen to continue with anything that will make the slightest improvement to survival. I'm certain that Arimidex has been a huge part of my continuing good health. (Diagnosed multifocal,grade 2,12 positive nodes)
Anyway, like many of you, I'm very apprehensive about coming off treatment altogether. But realise there are good health reasons to do so. And I can't find any good information to support continuing. And it might mean those flushes, joint pains, stiffness, dryness etc....might go and I'll be a new woman!
Scary times. Not easy to talk to friends about this and get any kind of sympathy since I'm well and the cancer was all such a long time ago!!So thanks Breast Cancer Care Community for your comments.X

[Anthi]

Hello Happyshopper
When I saw my onc last November, I was told that a clinical trial is taking place to see if people will benefit from staying on aromatase inibitors for longer than 5 years and that some people - even if not on the trial - are being offered the chance to stay on the medication.

It might be worth mentioning this in the breast clinic.

Good luck. Anthi x

[Sam_BCC]

Hi happyshopper

If you would like to talk through your concerns with someone please do give the BCC helpline a call and speak with one of the trained members of staff. The number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9 to 5pm and Saturday 9 to 2pm.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator

[happyshopper]

i am very interested in this. I have been on arimidex for 5 years now .I am waiting to be seen in breast clinic next week when I will be told to stop taking it by the breast surgeon . I did ring up onc and ask for an appt with them (was last seen in 2006) but was told the breast surgeon would discontinue it. I did actually want sonme advice as to if there is anything else to be taken/continue with arimidex and felt that onc would be the best person to advise, not a breast surgeon. But I was given a resounding NO! by the onc secretary!
I am pretty terrified of coming off this and not having anything aqt all, esp as my tumours were 100% oestrogen +ve.
Any stories and advice would be realy good if anyone can help.XXX

[scottishlass]

Sorry cannot really help as have been on Arimidex but then went onto Femara. So have been taking hormone tablets like this for 12 years. The only time I was not on them was when I have been on chemo. When I stopped Arimidex for a while the only thing I noticed was that the hairs on my chin disappeared! Hope someone replies soon. Val

[Lazydaisy1]

Come on girls - some of you must have finished Arimidex please post comments for Chalee ....... I'd be interested too although only been on it for 'months'.

[chalee]

In a few days it will be eight years since my bc diagnosis. I'm expecting to be taken off Arimidex at my next meeting with my consultant. Is there anybody out there who can tell me what it's like to be hormone treatment free?