tomoxifin vs. arimedex? - Page 5

dully2 · 07-10-2003, 05:03 PM

Hello All,
My mom's doctor prescribed Tomoxifen for her. She has been taking it for a few weeks now with no side effects as of yet. She did ask him about Arimidex. His suggestion was to go with the Tomoxifen. In post menopausal women, I am not sure how they decide between the two drugs. Just an update. Hope everyone is doing well.
dully2

bks4al · 07-12-2003, 12:19 PM

I had a massectomy in 2000 with lymphnodes removed. I wasn't given radiation or any continuing drugs like arimidex or tomoxifin after completing chemo. Over the last several mths Spots were found in both my lungs and during a vist to a pulmonary dr. he expressed his surprise that I wasn't receiving tomoxifin. He said he would check with my onocologist. Any suggestions on what to ask as a follow up on this. Thanks for any suggestions.

klayr · 07-13-2003, 09:03 AM

Wow! How awful for you! Did you regularly see your oncologist? Have you asked why you weren't given anything? Did you ever speak to anyone else who had gone through breast cancer treatments? How about this question: Do you have the name of a good lawyer!!!

bks4al · 07-17-2003, 03:31 AM

Kaylar I have been seeing my onocologist regularly. She is the one who sent me to the pulminory dr. after my regular chest scan and pet scan came back showing the 2nd lung with spots. For the moment neither dr seems to think its cancerous. I have made an additional appointment with the onocologist to follow up on the ? why I never received follow up drug therapy. My concern is -what type of ? to ask as evidently I didn't know to ask about drugs before.Do most women w breast cancer receive additional drugs?

klayr · 07-18-2003, 06:21 AM

Hi Bks4al. As far as I know, it is the standard protocol for women to receive ongoing meds for several years after breast cancer. I personally am on Arimidex, a great number of others are on Tamoxifen, etc... I had a friend who had a teeny, tiny tumor (less than one centimeter). She opted for a mastectomy, which was probably extreme, but she didn't want to deal with it at all. And even she is on Tamoxifen. Good luck to you. My suggestion is that you do some research now. Take your treatment into your own hands. It's never a bad thing to be on top of things.