Do you have to stop taking arimidex after five years? Why?
I've been taking arimidex for almost 5 years after being diagnosed with estrogen positive stage l breast cancer. Both my surgical and medical oncologist want to take me off of it because of the danger of fractures. I've exercised and have lifted weights for years now as well as being on boniva and calcium supplements. Am I still at a high risk for fractures or are there additional reasons to discontinue it ? I've read where arimidex can be taken safely for years. What's the deal?
DEH, they just don't know that much about aromatase inhibitors yet - those of us taking them (Arimidex,Aromasin, Femara) are pretty much in the "guinea pig" category. They're learning as they go. What they know now is, they do induce loss of bone mass (e.g., greater risk of fractures), along with other side effects - joint pain, etc. I just saw my oncologist last week, and he said "My stage 1, node negative patients, after 5 years on Arimidex, I'm saying, 'Enough.' Stage II and higher, lymph node positive, I'm saying, 'Let's continue and see what the research shows.' " He feels that the protective effect of Arimidex is worth the chance of bone density loss and other as yet unknown long-term side effects for stage II; but that stage I has such a good prognosis anyway, it's not worth taking the chance; not only with bone density loss, but with who-knows-what other side effects. So it's a fine line... Talk it over with your doctor. Maybe he'll agree to let YOU make the decision. Good luck! - PJH
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