I was diagnosed with with stage 1 Breast Cancer in Sept. 2009, Had a lumpectomy, margins were all clear as well as all lymph nodes. Had the Oncotype DX Breat Cancer Assay. My Recurrence Score wa 11. Node Negarive,Er-Positive Breast Cancer. I do not want to be a guinie pig. The side affects scare me, I took Femara for five days and my feet and hands swelled and I became generally bloated all over, stopped taking it on the sixth day and within in two days the symptoms subsided. Called the Dr. he had me pick up Aromasin to try, I am afraid to put it in my mouth. I eat healthy, excersise regularly three times a week, I am thin and take care of myself. I was on Hormone Replacement for 12 years, I am 62 years old. Completed 33 treatments of Radiation two weeks ago. I feel wonderful. This is such a hard and scary decision. Please Help!!!!
Q: Trying to make a good choice, is Aromasin going to be a big benefit to me,
Hi - If Aromasiin scares you, how about trying tamoxifen? Either would be a benefit at preventing recurrence; Aromasin more than tamoxifen, but tamoxifen served women very well for over 30 years, and it's still a very good drug, if not quite as effective as an aromatase inhibitor. And it comes with less uncomfortable side effects, in general.
If you're feeling you'd like to avoid any drugs, it seems it would be a reasonable choice, given your diagnosis. Statistics show you your risk of recurrence would be greater than if you did take hormone therapy; but ask your oncologist how much greater. If your recurrence risk without the drugs is 5%, and with it it's 3%, well, as you can see - not much difference.
At the end of the day, it's your body and your life, and you need to make a decision that's comfortable for YOU - not for your friends, family, and certainly not for your doctor. So think hard, then go with your heart. And never second-guess yourself, whatever you decide. Good luck - PJH
Hi there,
I had pretty mush the same diagnosis with first stage breast cancer, did the radiaion and was put on Aromasin. After just two weeks started having major side effects. Personal experience after taking aromasin (generic Exemestane) I am still dealing with horrible side effects after being off the drug over 8 months. Check out another site called (Askapatient.com) put in Aromosin and see that a great many individuals had same side effects from this medication. I am telling everyone to steer clear of that medication but after you read all the indivdual comments you have to make your own decision.
All the best.
Mae
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Mae, I'm so sorry you had such a bad reaction to Aromasin. Did your oncologist try any of the other aromatase inhibitors (e.g., Arimidex, Femara)? Sometimes one is tolerated better than another. Many women do just fine on Aromasin, thankfully; I don't want others reading this to be scared off and not try it. My advice to everyone is: try whatever drug your oncologist prescribes, without expecting any particular side effects. You may not experience any at all.
Mae, I hope you start feeling better soon - PJH