Does anyone have any real percentages as to A.I. Benefits?

By Esther Kowalski Thursday, July 05, 2007

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Well, here I am again. Basically doing well except for my dilemma as to whether I should try the Femara after having such bad side effects from the Arimidex. I know that ultimately it is my decision. What I can't seem to find is anyone who really can tell me the percentage of benefit that these drugs can give. They would have to be really great percentages to make me want to feel as bad as I did with the Arimidex.

I had Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, early stages but 1 lymph node found involved. I had a mastectomy and four dose of A/C.

If anyone knows or can tell me where I can find these figures, I would like to know.

AI percentage of benefit

Comments (5) | Add comment

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

7/10/07 8:47pm

http://www.breastcancer.org/tre_sys_hrt_ai_benefits.html

Also, I read that Arimidex and Femara are pretty much the same type of drug, while Aromasin is quite different; you might ask your doctor why, if you had such tough side effects with Arimidex, (s)he doesn't try you on Aromasin rather than Femara. - PJH

Esther Kowalski

7/10/07 9:55pm

I started taking the Femara about a week ago. So far, okay, but then it was a few months before the Arimidex really got so bad. I will give this a try. Thanks for the comment on the Aromasin.

Paula Hagens

7/11/07 5:37pm

Hi Esther,

My oncologist prescribed Femara for me. According to what I was told this med cuts the reoccurence rate to 10%. Noted side effects are arthritic type pains. I have been taking Femara since the last of April and so far have tolerated it.

Esther Kowalski

7/11/07 6:36pm

Thanks for the info. So far all is going well but I haven't been taking it very long. I am willing to give these meds a try but if it turns out like the Arimidex, I guess I will take my chances without it. You are the first one I have talked to that seemed to have an idea of the percentage.

jodi

10/18/09 10:24pm

hi, I have stage 1 estrogen re ceptive cancer too. no node involvement, 35 radiation treatments, no chemo.... my dr wants me to start the femara in 10 days. I am afraid to take it as I feel awful most of the time any way..joint pain, hot sweats, fatigue etc...what kinds of problems did you have with the other drugs.. my dr said that if I did take the femara, my re currance rate is only 5% but if I don't take it, he does not know what my odds are. he said there is no way to know....I had the oncho type dx test with a score of 6 ....this is a low score....your percentages are figured according to this test...if you have a higher score, your chance of the cancer coming back are greater...if I had a high score, I would have had to have the chemo....I read that eating certain mushrooms also helps decreasing the estrogen and helps control this kind of cancer.....I have been eating alot of mushrooms..please keep in touch and let me know how you do with the femara and we can compare notes.....thanks!

Does anyone have any real percentages as to A.I. Benefits?

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