Aromatase Inhibitors and other news

Oh Women of Wisdom, I need your opinions and advice again. I saw my surgeon today; I'm one year and 3 months out; my MRI showed nothing of significance and things are looking up...but...they are insistent that I take an aromatase inhibitor and I don't want to. my onco score was 9, but they say that is if I'm on the med; it would be 18 if not. I don't know if that's true or not... my breast was 50% involved with DCIS and invasive was just under 1 cm.
I have significant sensitivities to meds, all meds and I tried arimidex for two months; was nauseous the entire time..has anyone just not taken them and gotten along fine?

Let me know what you think, good, bad or in-between!
♥
Janice

Bev!, hello. reconstruction first...the saga continues! I had the last surgery in May and despite everyone's best efforts, I did develop capsular contracture for the 3rd time. I'm currently going to physical therapy (isn't that a funny one..PT for my fake boobie!!); it keeps the scar tissue formation less dramatic and less painful. I am retiring at the end of December and my recon spl is talking about doing a flap; I'm thinking maybe the end of January? Tom and I are going on a cruise the middle of January..so good timing. I either have to have this thing removed and go with nothing or have the flap; I'm leaning towards the flap.

It took 3 tries before they got an onco score last year and it was low, I believe a 9 (maybe 11?), but I think 9; by that time it was already mid to late October. I tried the arimidex for a few months, but felt constantly nauseated and stopped it. I also didn't click with the oncologist...at one point he suggested tamoxifen; even though taking it in the breast cancer prevention trial many years prior, proved that it was to harsh for me, lots of side effects...so, why try it again, and since he knows this, why suggest it?

Anyway, I haven't seen him for some time, I cancelled the last appointment and didn't go back. I saw my surgeon yesterday and she really wants me on something; said my risk was 1 in 10 if I was on something, 1 in 5 if not. I didn't do chemo, nor radiation and because of extenuating circumstances, they did not do sentinel node; although there was 1 or 2 in the breast tissue and they were clear.

In my mind, low onco, ovaries removed in 2004, mid 50's, small inv cancer......I'm not feeling the need, nor the desire to start on one more med. (My husband..different story, he's backing the Dr.)

So, Bev, that's the story!
♥
Janice

Hi Bev. I see a new oncologist on Tuesday; she's closer to home and I'll see if she can understand me and I, her. I'll let you know what comes of it..
Janice

Hi Bev. Met with the new oncologist yesterday. First thing..felt very comfortable with her; she was concerned about me, she seemed to care about me...she got me. She does not feel the need for me to be on AI. She's concerned about the left breast and prevention; but she feels that with 4 checks a year, a mammo and MRI, we should be able to catch anything early on.
She said that with my back in the shape it's in (not good) and osteopenia, she felt that evista may be something we would want to think about. It not only acts as a breast cancer preventative but would help with the bone issues.

So, it went well, very, very well,, and I'm seriously considering the evista...your thoughts???

♥
Janice

Hi Alcie
I had both the DCIS at 50% involvement and the IDC with some question about the size, but that will take 10 pages to write! My onco score was 9 and meds are not my friend either.
I had my surgery in Grand Rapids (1+ hours away) and the oncologist there..well, I just wasn't comfortable with him. This onco is closer to my house and I'm happy.
How far are you from another major (or reputable) practice? It may be worth the drive. I'm thinking about the Evista because of the other benefit, that being my bone health.
When was your surgery?, are you not being followed by your surgeons office..at least twice a year? If not, find out why! or start seeing your family practice as well as your ob-gyn. What about your mammograms, are you getting MRI's...
I would be concerned too, but I'm with you on the AI's.
Janice

Evita is FDA approved for breast cancer as well; you should be able to get it; you should be seen more than once a year as well; call the other place and make sure you talk to their billing/insurance office to make sure all is okay for you on that front.