[rhondalea]

I should have been a little clearer in my first post, but I was getting ready to take the cancer cat to the vet, and the little that's left of my mind was elsewhere. As I was driving in the car, I rewrote the post in my head--not helpful, I know--but I wasn't able to get back here until this morning.

As the chart indicates, different genes are involved in the metabolism of each of the aromatase inhibitors. As for me, I'm an intermediate metabolizer for one gene, and an ultra-fast metabolizer for another. (This may cause a problem for me when I start Tamoxifen, because both genes are involved; on the other hand, they may cancel each other out. Once I switch to AIs, though, it's going to be a bigger problem.)

Gene testing is available, and even if your doctor won't do it (although he ought to, and for specific information on the relevant genes, it would be better if he did), you can have direct-to-consumer testing done (with a mailed-in spit test). Even if you choose not to, it is important to know that a dose adjustment may be all that is necessary to compensate for your specific metabolism of the drug you choose. Without testing, that may take some trial and error, but it doesn't mean you can't take aromatase inhibitors at all.

With that said, if I were in your situation, I know that I'd demand another go at Aromasin. I've had some terrible problems with my thumb (because of my thyroid), so I am painfully familiar with how disabling it can be to have a wonky digit, but in a choice between that and the worry forgoing preventive treatment would cause me, I'd choose the former.

I wish you the best in getting this resolved. Please let me know how it turns out.