I am amost 60,double mast + radiation, ER PRO and Her +. I have been on Arimidex for almost exactly a year, have few sympthoms as being easily tired from noon on and a bit of pain on one wrist.My doctors have asked me to take tamoxifen from the very beginning ,but I opted for Arx. because of the better "recurrence" statistic acc to ATAX On my last checkup, this topic came up again and my doc still strongly suggest that I take tamoxifen . I know that tamox has been out longer and "more are known" about its effectiveness, but isn't it true that after 5 yrs of either drug, one doesn't know anyway ? since you only take tamox for 5 yrs So the recurrence and all may happen anyway after that? I hope I am making sense. So why insisting on Tamox?
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Q: Arimidex 1 yr change to Tamox?
Answers (1)
6/ 4/09 11:52am
Hi - Have you asked your doctor exactly why tamoxifen is a better choice for you? All of the current data points conclusively to an aromatase inhibitor (e.g., Arimidex) showing more protection against a recurrence. Unless your doctor is super worried about osteoporosis — because that IS the downside of AIs — I can't imagine why tamoxifen is the recommendation for you.
Admittedly, all the data isn't in on AIs yet, as it is on tamoxifen; they're still very new, only about 10 years old, while tamoxifen has a 30+ year history. Both have their plusses and minuses as far as side effects go, but an AI will give you better protection against a recurrence - for longer than 5 years, since you generally take an AI for longer than 5 years.
Newest data seems to indicate that an AI for 2 years, followed by tamoxifen for 3, gives the same protection as 5 years of an AI. So you might compromise with your doctor, and suggest this regimen... Good luck - PJH
6/ 4/09 8:03pm
You're welcome. The information as presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium last December; it's the results of the BIG 1-98 Phase III trial. There's a good wrapup at cancerconsultants.com. Good luck with your decision- PJ
6/ 6/09 9:40pm
To update everything, I took a copy of the research results from cancerconsultations.com and discussed the options with my doc. We discussed the plus and minuses of both medications and I got what I wanted: namely, Arimidex. He said he
likes it when patients do their homework. Thank you again! I am happy with the decision. Oh, by the way,the reason all my docs recommended Tamox was, besides the long history of Tamox 30+ vs Ax 10+ and the possible side effects of the Ax and the price tag that comes with it, I had only one positive lymph node on both sides. If I had had 3 or more, it might have been a different consideration.
6/ 6/09 10:27pm
Glad we could help - I hope you do well on the Arimidex, and I'm glad your doctor is interested in collaborating - that's a good thing, considering the long-term relaitonship you'll have. Good luck - PJH
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I so appreciate your prompt reply. I think there are so many out there who are trying to
"save themselves" considering all the options and becoming a bit "lost". I will certainly try to bring up this option with my doc about this. I have not heard about this recent indication (study), can you please point to the paper or data where 2 yrs Al and 3 yr. Tamox came from? Is it available online? Thank you so very much !