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Can Arimidex Be Stopped Abruptly?
Question: I have been on arimidex for almost 2 years, I am suffering from osteoporosis in my spinal cord, my hair is so thin, I am afraid to loose it, it also causes depression and insomnia, so I am taking Ambien for sleeping. My lumpectomy revered a stage one close to stage two cancer but it did not affect any other area. I had 33 radiation treatments. I am not sure what are the benefits of taking arimidex. Is it safe to stop this med that is already causing damage to my body. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Thanks
Brief Answer:
ARIMIDEX treatment for 5 years recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hi
ARIMIDEX is approved for adjuvant treatment that is treatment following surgery with or without radiation of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive early breast cancer.
It has benefit in early breast cancer as it lowers estrogen levels in postmenopausal women, which may slow the growth of certain types of breast tumors that need estrogen to grow in the body.
I will advise you to take arimidex atleast for 5 years as it increases the time before the cancer comes back in those who experience recurrence, reduces the risk of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body and reduces the risk of a new cancer developing in the other breast.
As you are having osteoporosis i would advise you to take Vitamin D3 and calcium carbonate tablets with your doctors advise twice daily after food which may help strengthen your bones.
You do not need to worry about your hair thinning as the hair will grow back at the end of treatment.
For depression and insomnia you can take tablet lorazepam at night with your doctors advise.
Regards
DR DE
ARIMIDEX treatment for 5 years recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hi
ARIMIDEX is approved for adjuvant treatment that is treatment following surgery with or without radiation of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive early breast cancer.
It has benefit in early breast cancer as it lowers estrogen levels in postmenopausal women, which may slow the growth of certain types of breast tumors that need estrogen to grow in the body.
I will advise you to take arimidex atleast for 5 years as it increases the time before the cancer comes back in those who experience recurrence, reduces the risk of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body and reduces the risk of a new cancer developing in the other breast.
As you are having osteoporosis i would advise you to take Vitamin D3 and calcium carbonate tablets with your doctors advise twice daily after food which may help strengthen your bones.
You do not need to worry about your hair thinning as the hair will grow back at the end of treatment.
For depression and insomnia you can take tablet lorazepam at night with your doctors advise.
Regards
DR DE
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
What is the percentage of the reduction in recurrence when taking arimidex?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
17% decrease in cancer recurrence.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Patients treated with the drug Arimidex had a 17% decrease in the risk of cancer recurrence.
It prolonged disease free survival by 13 percent, increased time to relapse by 21 percent, reduced the occurrence of cancer spreading to other organs (distant metastases) by 14 percent, and reduced the occurrence of cancer in the other breast by more than 40 percent.
If you have no more clarifications then please rate the answer and close the thread.
Regards
DR DE
17% decrease in cancer recurrence.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Patients treated with the drug Arimidex had a 17% decrease in the risk of cancer recurrence.
It prolonged disease free survival by 13 percent, increased time to relapse by 21 percent, reduced the occurrence of cancer spreading to other organs (distant metastases) by 14 percent, and reduced the occurrence of cancer in the other breast by more than 40 percent.
If you have no more clarifications then please rate the answer and close the thread.
Regards
DR DE
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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