Tolerating Oestrogen blockers

Hi JennAnd welcome to the forum. I agree totally with you re the drugs we take and about the side effects of these. Do you still have a contact for the Breast Nurse? They could put all the details of your surgery scores, treatment etc into a tool called Predict  and see what this scores in relation to how much benefit is this adding for you of these drugs over a 10 year period of time. Only when  that is complete can you make an informed choice based on the best available information and evidence as to the risk of re-currence.  

Oh so sorry about how you feel.  These aromatase inhibitors are really rough.  So many different side effects.  Some do tolerate them better than others.  I have an appointment with my medical oncologist in a few weeks and I am going to discuss some things with him.  Honestly when 50-60% of women don’t finish their AI medication routine something needs to be done.  Women are suffering and don’t know what to do.  Hugs to you.

Thank you, I’ll do that

I agree, it’s tough when the treatment makes you feel worse than the disease. If it was temporary, it would be tolerable, but 5 years is a long time to feel like this. 

Hi 

I have now completed one year on Anastrozole and Zometa, I am 62 but some days feel 92! Feels like all my joints and bones hurt, the hot flushes I can cope with, 

everyday I wish I didn’t have to take them, my heart goes out to you… taking the decision to stop them is a hard one, I know I would end up even more anxious. 
stay strong  xxxx 

Update. I saw my breast surgeon and we’ve agreed on initially a 2 month break during which time I’ll evaluate how I’m feeling. He took me through the NHS predict tool ( confusing as he still used version 2 which gave me a 2% higher survival rate if I continue with AIs but version 3 gives me 1% higher because it factors other risks in too- like cardiovascular damage from left sided radiotherapy). I’m inclined to think that 1% is not such a big improvement for perhaps 5 years of chronic side effects. Anyway, after 5 days off the meds there’s a definite improvement in my emotional symptoms and the bone pains but early days for the carpal tunnel syndrome ( that is debilitating!). Also, I told him that I’ve been having sharp pains in my treated breast & although I think it feels neurological, I’m having a full body scan next week. My BCN has referred me for councelling and complimentary therapies. I’m feeling more optimistic now than lately

I’m 9 months into Anastrozole with 6 monthly Zoledronic acid infusions. My joints especially my knees ache when I stand up. I feel tired in tbe afternoons. Trying weight loss and swimming I’m nearly  72 - hoping I don’t feel like this for 5 years. Won’t give up tthough.