ARIMIDEX study/results for length of time to take drug

[KTM]

Looking for data to support Dr's suggestion to continue medication beyond 5 years.

[Judy]

KTM wrote:

Looking for data to support Dr's suggestion to continue medication beyond 5 years.

I am on Arimidex for ten years and the representative for Astra-Zeneca(saw him at the Race for the Cure) said he was not surprised as studies are seven years out. I have gained five pounds in two years and some aches,stiffness but I am NOT complaining!

[Katie]

I have taken Arimidex for 5 years. My Doctor wants me to take it for 2 more years. Has it been proven that taking Arimidex longer than 5 years is beneficial to preventing recurrance?

[annac UK]

I am desperate to persuade my doctors to continue prescribing arimidex after 5 years. I would be so grateful to know what the grounds were for your oncologists to continue the treatment for 7 - 10 years

[Carol]

KTM wrote:

Looking for data to support Dr's suggestion to continue medication beyond 5 years.

Me too, I just found out yesterday and am bummed, I have 4 years in May since starting it and was hoping to get off it as bone pain and anger/moods!!

[shina]

I have been on arimidex for 5 years and my doctors tells me to stop it now, i really am afrain to stop this medication, could you give me the name of the md who agrees with extended treatment? I want to get a second opinion.

Judy wrote:

<quoted text>
I am on Arimidex for ten years and the representative for Astra-Zeneca(saw him at the Race for the Cure) said he was not surprised as studies are seven years out. I have gained five pounds in two years and some aches,stiffness but I am NOT complaining!

[shina]

need the doctors name in los angles, california

[Sally]

I'm in the midst of radiation and considering arimidex for my adjuvant therapy. I'm active and otherwise healthy. What was your experience with the medication? What was your experience with weight gain?

[Claire in FL]

I was on it for almost 6 years and my onc. told me to stay on it indefinitely since it is a protective of sorts. However I decided to take myself off it two months ago. Why? Depression, diarreah, weight gain, anger/moody, no sex drive what so ever, aches and pains, HOT flashes the entire time.

I am sleeping better, feel happy for once in a long time, and I a starting to get my groove back. I am taking tumeric and flax seed supplements. It's a gamble but I just wanted to feel normal for a while. It was so long that I was sad, moody and feeling like I was 80. Also lost 6 lbs so far but that was never the entire reason for going off it.

[Barbara]

My 5 years are up, and my doc has asked me to participate in a drug test to see if taking an aromatase inhibitor (letrozole, not arimidex) for 5 years after taking arimidex is beneficial or not. There haven't been tests yet. The trial I'm in started about 2 years ago. I did it figuring I'd have a 50-50 chance of continuing on the meds (which my doc won't do). I'll probably be able to tell via my thyroid condition (if I have estrogen in my body (ie, I got the placebo rather than the letrozole) then I'll need more synthroid). I had the joint aches on Arimidex, but glucosamin/chondroitin took care of that just fine. The rest is basically all the unpleasant parts of menopause. I too have gained weight; oncologist claims it's not arimidex but... Best of luck to you all!

[Vivian]

shina wrote:

I have been on arimidex for 5 years and my doctors tells me to stop it now, i really am afrain to stop this medication, could you give me the name of the md who agrees with extended treatment? I want to get a second opinion.
<quoted text>

Shina, Dr. Daniel Boozer at MDAnderson is telling his patients to consider taking the Arimidex for another 5 years. I will talk to him more this summer. I will probably discontinue taking it at the end of my 5 years, but I will definately listen to his advise. God Bless you in your search for a doctor that will let you make this decision yourself.

[djs]

KTM wrote:

Looking for data to support Dr's suggestion to continue medication beyond 5 years.

I am looking for any studies that confirm the advantage of taking Arimidex beyond 5 years.

[alla]

shina wrote:

need the doctors name in los angles, california

Sorry, I live in Tucson, AZ. My oncologist, Dr Donald Brooks, is recommending to take arimidex longer. I have now taken it for 6 years. He is part of a group called Arizona Oncology. They seem to be up to date.

[alla]

I live in Tucson, AZ. My oncologist, Dr Donald Brooks, is recommending that I stay on arimidex past 5 years. I have now been taking it for more than 6 years. He belongs to a group named Arizona Oncology and they seem to be up to date.

[mukhtar]

My 5 years are up, and my doc has asked me to participate in a drug test to see if taking an aromatase inhibitor (letrozole, not arimidex) for 5 years after taking arimidex is beneficial or not. There haven't been tests yet. The trial I'm in started about 2 years ago. I did it figuring I'd have a 50-50 chance of continuing on the meds (which my doc won't do). I'll probably be able to tell via my thyroid condition (if I have estrogen in my body (ie, I got the placebo rather than the letrozole) then I'll need more synthroid). I had the joint aches on Arimidex, but glucosamin/chondroitin took care of that just fine. The rest is basically all the unpleasant parts of menopause. I too have gained

[Gerry Jones]

My five years on Arimidex will be up in April of 2010. In 2008, I was told that the studies were suggesting I stay on the Arimidex for the rest of my life. This year, 2009, I was told that they are now saying to come off of it after the five years. I am just really confused with that kind of back and forth information. When you are told one thing at the beginning, you accept it and deal with it. Then when they say one thing one time and then another thing another time, I mean, you can't help but wonder do they really know what they're talking about. I'd rather be safe than sorry and stay on it for as long as I have to. I mean, I have a husband, children and grandchildren that depend on me, and if staying on the Arimidex longer keeps me from getting cancer again, then I'm all for it. I, too, have had weight gain, depression, joint aches/pain, tiredness, hot flashes, no sex drive, moodiness, but with the help of God and some supplements, I've been able to overcome most of them.

[Ted Youngs]

My mother is on arimidex... has anyone heard good or bad about the generic version anastrozole???

[Pat Leszewski]

I have been on Arimidex for over 5 years almost 6 or 7 and I have the weight gain but I can lose if I want too. Its the foods that I eat. I do have the aches and pains but you know what the peace of mind that I get from taking the meds is worth it. My doc wants me off of it. He said that it loses its effect after five years. Who says so. I havent seen it in writing and no one knows what they are talking about. All I know is I am on it for the next 6 months and glad about that. I am afraid to get off of it to be honest with you. So if anyone has proof in writing please let me know. Then I may consider going off of it.

[Sharon]

I am searching for a less expensive way to continue Arimidex -- Is the generic anastrazole advertised in Canada a safe way to go? I have taken Arimidex for 1 year and do well -- some depression, though. With a deductible insurance -- which I must go to next year -- the pill is $35 a day!

[trisha]

I definitely want to stay on it. My 5 years are up in February of 2010 but they are letting me continue until June 2010 so that they will have attended two more medical conferences and will see if any studies point to using it beyond 5 years. If they refuse to let me continue, I will definitely try to find an oncologist who will recommend that I continue it. I am willing to roll the dice and do not want to come off it.