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Old 02-27-2011, 12:10 PM   #1
MJo
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
Lower dose of AI revisited

Just read the 2008 posts about lower AI (aromatase inhibitor) dosage. There was no information then about whether a smaller dose of femara or arimidex could lower effectively estrogen levels. Does anyone know of new information about this?

I am two months away from my five years on Femara and I can't stand the brain fog any more. So I cut the pill in half and I have taken 1/2 a pill for six days. The brain fog is less. I feel more alert. My oncologist wouldn't be happy with my little experiment. I already asked him for 1/2 dose and he said no. But I've taken aromatase inhibitors for 57 1/2 months and I am willing to risk. The joint pain became tolerable after two years for me, but the brain fog got worse and worse. It's hurting my quality of life.

I've searched the internet and haven't found any studies. I know that women with liver disease take the 2.5 mg dose of Femara every other day instead of every day. Don't know if there is study comparing recurrence rates. Maybe it's too early. Many women stop taking these AIs due to side effects. If they could take a half dose, maybe they would be willing to take the drug.
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MJO

IDC, Stage I, Grade 2
Oncotype DX Score 32
Her2++ E+P+, Node Neg.
Lumpectomy 11/04/05 Clear Margins
3 Dose dense AC (Couldn't tolerate 4)
4 Dose dense Taxol & Herc. (Tolerated well)
36 weeks Herceptin (Could not complete one year due to decrease in MUGA score)
2 years of Arimidex, then three years of Femara
Finished Femara May 2011
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