I need some opinions

Joe · 03-13-2008, 12:58 PM

See my earlier post, Drug...Progression"

Regards
Joe

tricia keegan · 03-13-2008, 02:57 PM

Hi Mjo,
I can understand your questioning this as I think I'd feel the same. A friend of mine living in the States has tolerated arimidex very well for five years so her onc has just agreed to her request to stay on it for ten.
I think if I'm hopefully still cancer free after five years I'd definatly want to remain on arimidex myself and would feel nervous about stopping it. Sorry I can't advise you, just wanted to give an opinion but I think this is a very personal decision and not an easy one. Good luck whatever you decide.

Jean · 03-13-2008, 06:09 PM

MJO,
Maybe this will help? When I saw my onc. we had a discussion about
length of time for the AI's...he stated to me that, "It probably will
be longer than 5 yrs. more like ten."

I think since AI have been out the last few years and data is still
not available....but patients are now rounding in the 5th yr. the onc.
are discussing this issue and what will be of greater benefit for their
patients.

Hope this helps some.
Regards,
jean

sassy · 03-13-2008, 07:38 PM

MJo,

My onc does feel that lenght on AI's will incease beyond 5 years. He said I may possibly be on for life.

Hopeful · 03-14-2008, 10:04 AM

Remaining on an AI indefinitely is not without risk, as it has been demonstrated that bc can become hypersensitized to a low estrogen environment, and begin growing again, even in the extremely (but not 100%) ER deprived environment created by AI's. The way to "resensitize" the cells to estrogen deprivation is actually counter-intuitive: expose them to high levels of estrogen.

I have read about trials (which I think are going on in the UK only) to see if intermittent use of AI's after 5 years on them (i.e., three months on, three months off) is the way to go to avoid the hypersensitivity issue. At the moment, no one knows what the optimal duration for any of these drugs is.

Hopeful