What is the recurrence risk for women on Aromatase Inhibitors?

I agree. I haven't started mine yet. I really don't want to take them. They sound horrible 😕

I hope you think about at least trying tge AIs. You can always stop them....

I know studies show there is a benefit but not a guarantee. No 2 cancers are a like, and no two people are a like. My suggestion is to give it a try and see how your body handles it.

The AI's make you half as likely to get a recurrence. That's not perfect but better than anything else so far.

Well I started letrozole in November and so far only minor aches and pains. I am scared of the bone loss as I already have osteoporosis, so I’m doing a round of reklast.

Give it to God!  All that you just said is completely true. But no reason to be scared check out how much money it cost to be on the pills How much money they make. Find yourself a functional doctor. They heal your whole body. You already did the chemo I wouldn’t do the girls change your diet. Tweak the rest of your stuff stay off sugar you can have coconut sugar and live your life. I had no chemo or radiation and I’m going to a Integrative functional oncologist

So Denis, A., I was responding to another one of your messages on this site , something froze on this site/ my phone and now I can't find your other message ( you went into detail and it was interesting). 🤨🤔 Anyway, how did you go about finding a functional/ integrative oncologist? I think I need that.

I have been on letrozole since my cancer was diagnosed in Sept of last year. I have lots of joint pain but I’m sticking with the science as much as possible. Your doctors are trying to help you. Our country needs national health insurance to get us the medications we need. I’m now past mastectomy and getting radiation. 8 hr arthritis pills work wonders. I will have the infusions for bones every 6 months. I am also on Verzenio pills, not chemotherapy. Time will tell and yes I will try to eat well and exercise too. Always good advice!

I was on Anastrazole for 7 years. Finished taking it in August. Last month was diagnosed with a recurrence. Going for CT and full body bone scan next week. Trying to stay positive.

Karen, so sorry to hear that. I will be thinking and praying for you .

At least give it a try. Yes there are side effects but not everyone experiences them to the same degree. You can always stop taking it.

Rebecca I have osteoporosis too. I just finished chemotherapy and am deciding on which medication AI or Tamoxifen. I have not heard of reklast- does it help are there side affects

I am getting an infusion of Zometa every 6 months to offset the Letrozole AI effect on bones. I don’t know Reklast.

Kay how is the Zometa and side effects? Might be in my future soon....thx.

I just completed my 3yr course of IV Zometa every 6 months. Initial infusion #1 I felt some chills, tired and bit like a cold was coming on. The remainder of the every 6 month infusion experienced being a bit tired, otherwise fine. I took Anastrozole for a little over one year, stopped due to bone pain, swelling of joints, tried Letrozole that was worse: hair thinning, nails breaking, joint pain & swelling. Did not resume any further aromatase inhibitors.

Thx you Elizabeth, this is so helpful.

Kay H how are you doing on the Verzenio? I am to start taking that soon. I will be starting on 100mg . Also I’ll be on Letrozole.

Hi! Sorry to say, I parted company with Verzenio a couple of months ago. I started having horrible stomach pain that sent me to ER one night. Doc has replaced it with Ibrance, a cousin of Verzenio. After my first month, all is well. Good luck! Yes, we are all different in our responses to these things. Sigh.

Cherie, I have been given just one infusion of Zometa so far. I had no noticeable side effects. 😉

Thx you Kay.My fingers 🤞 for the same as you... :)

I was diagnosed hr+ HER2- in May 2023. Took letrozol for 2 months. I am bipolar and it interfered with my moods in a really bad way, quick to anger, no filter on what came out of my mouth. Woke up every day in tears. I was miserable. So I quit the AI. April 2024 I saw a large lump at the base of my neck. Now I have metastatic BC that has spread to my lungs, neck, spine and rt shoulder. Started on exemestane and kisqali to pause the progression. The AI is important and there may be one that has fewer side effects. I wish I had tried other AIs.

Prayers and good thoughts for you Debra. Don't be hard on yourself. Breast Cancer is sneaky and can recur even with all the medical interventions out there. Quality of life is so important and you made the best decision you could at the time. Focus forward and hang tough..... ✨️

I was on Anastrozole for 6 years my cancer mutated and came back. My oncologist never talked to me about ESR1 mutations. So it was a big surprise for me.

There are positives and negatives. It all comes down you making a comfortable choice. Yes some people experience very nasty side effects, but some don’t. My personal first 3 months were horrible, but after that, many of the side effects lessened to a point where I could live with them. It is wonderful that we can all share our experiences, but keep in mind, everyone has their own journey.

Hi, I have been on Arimidex for 3 months and the only side affects I have are the hot flashes and sleep issues. There is medication available for the hot flashes, but mine are manageable without it. I will be talking to my oncologist about my sleep issue. I'm still working so the sleep is my biggest complaint.