New member here. I had breast cancer surgery in April and went thru 4 weeks of

[japple]

radiation therapy. I was feeling okay, and pretty much back to normal. Then I started taking Anastrozole, which is supposed to help prevent a recurrence. I am 70 yrs. old and the oncologist says I will prob. need to take this for 5 years. It has many side effects and I am trying to decide whether to ditch this drug and take my chances or keep taking it. At my age, I don't think I have too much time left and I want to enjoy the time I do have. This drug exacerbates osteoporosis (which I already had), keeps me from sleeping soundly as I have all my life, makes me have mood swings, and I now have a skin rash in addition to eczema (which I have always had.) The oncologist said I will also need to take a calcium injection (Prolia) every six months to help with osteoporosis and I understand this drug is very expensive, although it should be covered by my insurance.

Has anyone else been thru this and, if so, do you have any suggestions?

[magicarpet]

1. Welcome aboard,... nice to meet you.

[mercuryblues]

2. I would have a heart to heart with your DR

Write down your complaints and give them to your DR. Discuss the risk/benefit ratio of taking the drugs. And find out if their is another drug that you can take and tolerate. If you need to take this drug, then discuss ways that you can alleviate the side effects.

[Dale Neiburg]

6. I concur -- talk to your doctor/oncologist about the side effects.

I'm in something of the same situation, having had proton beam radiation treatments for prostate cancer about a year ago. I've now just had the third of four hormone treatments with Lupron (an injection every 6 months), with very unpleasant side effects. I've let the oncologist know that I will probably refuse the last treatment and take my chances. He's not exactly supportive but agrees that at this point it makes little or no difference to my long-term prognosis.

An aside: For anyone faced with needing radiation treatment for cancer I highly recommend exploring proton beam radiation instead of the more common x-ray radiation. It usually has fewer and milder side effects, mainly because it allows a smaller overall dose of radioactivity for the patient, but with more radioactivity delivered at the target.

[japple]

10. The proton beam radiation is the type I had. It was delivered to a very small, targeted

area. The tumor was fairly small and caught early.

[Dale Neiburg]

11. Very glad to hear it!

[Sienna86]

3. Hi Japple

Welcome to DU. I don’t have an experience to share. I’ve often felt quality of life is more important to me than quantity. It’s a personal choice to continue with the Anastrozole. Is it possible side effects will lessen over time? Also, please check out side effects of These drugs, as I’m sure you already have done.

I hope you feel better soon and I’m here to chat any time. Just a bit younger than you.

[Ohiogal]

4. 14 years ago

I had a mastectomy from stage 3 breast cancer. I had 8 chemo sessions and 30 days of radiation. I took Arimidex for 10 years after. Back then I was 50.

Arimidex gave me insomnia, osteopenia,sore joints, weight gain, mood swings, and hot flashes.

I took Boniva for 5 years for the osteopenia.

It’s totally your decision, but I was petrified that I’d have a cancer recurrence, and the Arimidex offered a greater chance of no recurrence. Yes the side effects were bothersome, but after a while the aches and pains went away (maybe after 6 months). Everything else I just put up with.

I’m now cancer free for 14 years and counting,I’m not giving up on life just yet.

Good luck to you and I hope all goes well.

[dixiechiken1]

5. Had breast cancer 2 years ago...

Had a lumpectomy & then about 6-1/2 weeks of radiation. Luckily, no chemo as the cancer was caught early & surgery got all the tumor. I chose not to take the pills afterwards because of the side effects. I'm 56, (54 at the time), menopausal and have RAGING hot flashes. After the Dr told me it would exacerbate those, I said thanks but no thanks.

When my Dr & I had the discussion about it, he told me that as long as I have my yearly mammogram, even if the cancer came back, it would be caught early & would be treatable. They have come a long way in treating breast cancer.

You didn't mention how advanced or what stage your cancer was. Definitely have a discussion with your Dr to get his input if you don't want to take Anastrozole anymore. Sometimes, IMO, the potential benefits of a drug are outweighed by the side effects. For me, this was one of those times.

So glad to hear from a fellow survivor, japple. Best of luck to you & please keep us posted.

[japple]

12. The cancer was small, caught in the very early stage. I had 4 weeks of radiation. It

seems to me that if I have an annual mammo., that should be sufficient. My menopausal years were hell, esp. the hot flashes. If I were in my 50s, I might be willing to put up with 5 more years of it, but at age 70, I don't feel compelled to spend 5 years of mood swings, lack of sleep, and hot flashes. I will probably just talk to the woman who works at our local health food store. She went thru breast ca about 20 yrs. ago. I will find out what course she followed. I feel sure it wasn't conventional.

[RobinA]

14. I'm Sorry

I just have say something. If your cancer comes back it will most likely be untreatable. Metastatic breast cancer can be managed, but it won’t go away. Please check your information with your doctor.

It’s obviously your choice whether or not to take medication, but the decision should be based on correct information.

[Karadeniz]

7. I didn't have an aggressive breast cancer. Couple months of radiation. Oncologist gave me

Tamoxifen. After 2 years and becoming a blimp, I threw it out. The Dr said 2 years was probably enough.

Almost forgot: WELCOME HOME!

[cate94]

8. Sorry you are dealing with this.

My story is similar. Surgery, radiation, and an Astrazole prescription. I had side effects and quit taking it. I was 58, I’m now 64. Still cancer free. I don’t pretend to suggest you do the same, the decision for me was based on the odds and the desire to enjoy my life. My oncologist ordered a different drug. I didn’t take that either. Good luck to you.

[Dream Girl]

9. I briefly took Anastrozole and Femara. Side effects where bad with both, through I think Anstrazole

Was worse. Horrible muscle pain, hot flashes, joint pain. I decided to take a “vacation” from them and never went back. I discussed with my onc. and reading between the lines discerned that the trade off between recurrence and quality of life were a wash. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. I am in my third year since treatment. I’m still a bit uneasy about the decision. Just had a pet scan and all good.

[TNNurse]

13. I am 8 years past treatment.

I had surgery, chemo and raidation. I then took Arimidex for 5 years. Yes, there were side effects, but I never considered stopping as an option. I had already had it tough and was not going to skip this part.

I recall that after my 3rd out of 5 chemo treatments, I was scared another dose might be too much. I was low and miserable, my husband talked to me and reminded me that I had been through too much to stop now.

I do understand some had worse side effects, it was tough and I complained but I made it through.

I wish you the best with whatever you do.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

15. K&R.

Sorry I know nothing that would help, but kicking for visibility to those who do.

Best wishes to you.