I learned a lot from this video today. I’ve been taking Anastrozole (Arimidex)since February 2021. I’m doing great with very little side effects. I walk for 20 minutes every morning and my bone density went way up. My doctor is really happy. Thank you.
Hey @stchannel2476 ! I’m glad you found the video helpful and I love the fact that you are exercising daily as it will have multiple positive benefits, as you noted! Best wishes for your continued recovery, and good health! Exercise on!
Your channel is terrific Dr Waltke. I have learnt so much from your clear and friendly approach. It's great to have a source for all the questions that the doctor doesn't have time to explain fully. More people need to know about your informative channel! I am on AI btw 😊
Hi Doctor On Arimastase And the bone achesback ache and stiffness of joints are horrendous⁉️⁉️ No painkillers help. Will be trying a patch soon couple of weeks Thank you 😢
Hey Marion! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. How are you doing? Have the patches helped? Have you tried getting out and taking some walks as that is the best medicine for aromatase inhibitor pain. Best wishes to you, let me know how it’s going.
i already subscribed, you deserve a lot of subscribers, i already shared your videos with my cancer support group, we can learn so much from you, thanks a lot
On AI anastrozole for the past 8 months and it sucks. I am all for quality vs quantity of life and the quality ain't happening for me on these drugs. Will be getting off these because I'm so done feeling achey and old before my time. The side effects that are listed for these drugs are REAL.
@same5952 Sorry you are hurting… yes it is real! The quality vs quantity conversation is a good one to have with your med onc and PCP. There may be ideas and alternatives to consider. Best wishes to you!
I am taking Anastrozole for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with 2 of 11 lymph nodes positive. I had a very low Genomic testing score (6) so no chemo was recommended; however, I will be taking Anastrozole for 10 years.
Hey Sarah! This a great question with lots of nuance based on you and the cancer you were diagnosed with. It will be best answered by your med onc, primary MD and or gynecologist. It’s a fair question. Best wishes, please let us know what your MDs say!
@@therecoveryroom2198 thank you. My gyno says it's up to me. Medical Onc says yes it's worth it and I've never asked my primary. Do you happen to know why some people have regular periods on Tamoxifin and others do not? Even the same age any everything? Mine are all over the place 5 months in.
I am wondering why it is a one size fits all for the AIs? I am 133 lbs and wonder why the same pill is given to women lighter and heavier? Shouldn’t all that be taken into consideration?
This question shows you are a smart thinker, @conniejohnsoncj8724 ! Some medications (like tamoxifen and AIs ) are metabolized differently and not impacted by body weight. Next time you talk with a pharmacist, they would be the best to give you more explanation of how it works!
I don't think im going to take these. There's no guarantee the cancer won't come back. The side effects are terrible. I will be trying to decrease estrogen naturally through diet.
great video thank you,question please ,,why are there still So many oncologists out there saying estrogen doesn't have anything to do with breast cancer but in the same sentence these doctors prescribe estrogen blocking medicines, what ive researched is yes our bodies need estrogen BUT it needs to be inbalance with progesterone and all the other hormones,??????
Hi! Glad you found the video helpful! Anti estrogen blockers are only prescribed for people with breast cancers that have estrogen/progesterone receptors. From a cancer prevention perspective, there are different estrogens that impact the body in different ways... some can increase cancer risk like hormone replacement therapy, and some have no effect on breast cancer risk, like topical estrogen creams for the pelvic floor.
I am 56 and post menopausal. I had a total hysterectomy 5 years ago. I was diagnosed with DCIS and decided to have DMX with no reconstruction for a one and done type of situation. My Oncologist said that since I had stage zero cancer that I didn’t need an AI. Do you agree?
Yes, I agree! Stage 0 cannot become metastatic, so you don’t need an AI for that. and it would protect against a new cancer in the opposite breast and you don’t need it for that either.
Hey Signal46! Any side effects from AIs can range from none to huge. The nice thing is that when finished with the drug, most go away. Yes it’s scary, yet know most people do ok. And for some reason if you don’t, you and your med onc have other options to try. Best wishes!
Accidentally found you, you are awesome! I take an AI, but am only 80 percent compliant, due to horrible side effects, and I mean HORRIBLE.. I'm doing my best.. so I take Letrozole 4 days off, one day on.. I also take some natural AI's.. well they probably don't do much, but better than nothing to help the Letrozole.. ugh, I wish every drug wasn't so hard on me.. also my tumor markers were staying up now for some time after all this.. chemo, masectomy, axillary node dissection, and radiation.. but doc had me thouroughly tested, they couldnt find anything except for NAFLD.. which i am taking fish oil for.. idk, again, trying.. in my opinion that was brought on my Letrozole putting my borderline high cholesterol on through the roof.. anyway, i get tumor markers rechecked in Sept., which doc says they were elevated cause the liver, idk, it's scary.. I pray I'll be ok, in a lot of pain.. A LOT.. I hope and pray for CURE soon, no more bandaids, I'm sick of this.. :(
Hi Jennifer! Nice to accidentally meet you! I am sorry you are hurting. Keep your primary and med onc MDs in the loop on all that you are doing and not doing so they can best help you. Talk to your med onc too about the pros and cons of trying a different AI. Gentle to moderate exercise can do wonders for AI related pain but can be hard to start. Have one of your physicians get you to a PT to get you the help you deserve. Best wishes to you!!
thank you, that's so kind lovely and smart and kind doctor..I need to catch up on all your vids now.. just wuv you and your kindness and knowledge.. keep inspiring us..
my 43 year old wife had 1 large systic ovary removed last year her gyno left the other smaller cystic ovary, i begged her doctor to remove both but she refused because of not wanting to be responsible for later heart & osteo problems,she then put her on depo injection every 3 months it was making her very very weak,plus super heavy & long periods , now she was just diagnosed with estrogen /progesterone positive,Hr negative breast cancer , now the doctor says well i guess i should have removed the other systic ovary at the first surgery,,, why is there SO much confusion in the medical world about estrogen dominance and many illnesses,like cancer,gallstones etc. her doc now wants to remove her last cystic ovary plus her breast plus chemo,,but since the cancer is ER/PR positive wont just removing the bad ovary and a complete lifestyle & diet change stop or at least slow the cancer down, ??????????
Hi tttony- if her cancer team is recommending chemotherapy, that means they believe lifestyle change and estrogen blocking is not enough to best protect her.
I learned a lot from this video today. I’ve been taking Anastrozole (Arimidex)since February 2021. I’m doing great with very little side effects. I walk for 20 minutes every morning and my bone density went way up. My doctor is really happy. Thank you.
Hey @stchannel2476 ! I’m glad you found the video helpful and I love the fact that you are exercising daily as it will have multiple positive benefits, as you noted! Best wishes for your continued recovery, and good health! Exercise on!
Your channel is terrific Dr Waltke. I have learnt so much from your clear and friendly approach. It's great to have a source for all the questions that the doctor doesn't have time to explain fully. More people need to know about your informative channel!
I am on AI btw 😊
esmerelneels Thank you so much for your feedback! Please share our info and let us know what you’d like to hear more about!!
Best wishes to you!
thank you - information clearly presented I have not been able to find elsewhere.
Hi Doctor
On Arimastase
And the bone achesback ache and stiffness of joints are horrendous⁉️⁉️
No painkillers help.
Will be trying a patch soon couple of weeks
Thank you 😢
Hey Marion! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. How are you doing? Have the patches helped? Have you tried getting out and taking some walks as that is the best medicine for aromatase inhibitor pain. Best wishes to you, let me know how it’s going.
i already subscribed, you deserve a lot of subscribers, i already shared your videos with my cancer support group, we can learn so much from you, thanks a lot
Maricel Dulce
Hi Mariel!!! Glad you are passing along our info and finding the videos helpful! We appreciate your feedback and support!
On AI anastrozole for the past 8 months and it sucks. I am all for quality vs quantity of life and the quality ain't happening for me on these drugs. Will be getting off these because I'm so done feeling achey and old before my time. The side effects that are listed for these drugs are REAL.
@same5952 Sorry you are hurting… yes it is real! The quality vs quantity conversation is a good one to have with your med onc and PCP. There may be ideas and alternatives to consider. Best wishes to you!
I am taking Anastrozole for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with 2 of 11 lymph nodes positive. I had a very low Genomic testing score (6) so no chemo was recommended; however, I will be taking Anastrozole for 10 years.
So glad you had such a low score, Charlene! Best wishes on anastrozole and with your continued recovery!!!
Im on Tamoxifin but the effect on the uterus is causing me problems. With a low onco of 10, are the uterine problems worth the anti cancer benefits?
Hey Sarah! This a great question with lots of nuance based on you and the cancer you were diagnosed with. It will be best answered by your med onc, primary MD and or gynecologist. It’s a fair question. Best wishes, please let us know what your MDs say!
@@therecoveryroom2198 thank you. My gyno says it's up to me. Medical Onc says yes it's worth it and I've never asked my primary. Do you happen to know why some people have regular periods on Tamoxifin and others do not? Even the same age any everything? Mine are all over the place 5 months in.
I am wondering why it is a one size fits all for the AIs? I am 133 lbs and wonder why the same pill is given to women lighter and heavier? Shouldn’t all that be taken into consideration?
This question shows you are a smart thinker, @conniejohnsoncj8724 !
Some medications (like tamoxifen and AIs ) are metabolized differently and not impacted by body weight. Next time you talk with a pharmacist, they would be the best to give you more explanation of how it works!
@@therecoveryroom2198 thank you for the response!
I don't think im going to take these. There's no guarantee the cancer won't come back. The side effects are terrible. I will be trying to decrease estrogen naturally through diet.
great video thank you,question please ,,why are there still So many oncologists out there saying estrogen doesn't have anything to do with breast cancer but in the same sentence these doctors prescribe estrogen blocking medicines, what ive researched is yes our bodies need estrogen BUT it needs to be inbalance with progesterone and all the other hormones,??????
Hi! Glad you found the video helpful! Anti estrogen blockers are only prescribed for people with breast cancers that have estrogen/progesterone receptors. From a cancer prevention perspective, there are different estrogens that impact the body in different ways... some can increase cancer risk like hormone replacement therapy, and some have no effect on breast cancer risk, like topical estrogen creams for the pelvic floor.
I am 56 and post menopausal. I had a total hysterectomy 5 years ago. I was diagnosed with DCIS and decided to have DMX with no reconstruction for a one and done type of situation. My Oncologist said that since I had stage zero cancer that I didn’t need an AI. Do you agree?
Yes, I agree! Stage 0 cannot become metastatic, so you don’t need an AI for that. and it would protect against a new cancer in the opposite breast and you don’t need it for that either.
@@therecoveryroom2198 Thank you so much! 😃
I am post menopausal and on AI
Jan Crayman-Smith
Thanks, Jan! Best wishes to you!
I will beginning Letrozole when my tradition is done. I have to admit that taking the AI scares me the most. The side effects are brutal.
Hey Signal46! Any side effects from AIs can range from none to huge. The nice thing is that when finished with the drug, most go away. Yes it’s scary, yet know most people do ok. And for some reason if you don’t, you and your med onc have other options to try. Best wishes!
Accidentally found you, you are awesome! I take an AI, but am only 80 percent compliant, due to horrible side effects, and I mean HORRIBLE.. I'm doing my best.. so I take Letrozole 4 days off, one day on.. I also take some natural AI's.. well they probably don't do much, but better than nothing to help the Letrozole.. ugh, I wish every drug wasn't so hard on me.. also my tumor markers were staying up now for some time after all this.. chemo, masectomy, axillary node dissection, and radiation.. but doc had me thouroughly tested, they couldnt find anything except for NAFLD.. which i am taking fish oil for.. idk, again, trying.. in my opinion that was brought on my Letrozole putting my borderline high cholesterol on through the roof.. anyway, i get tumor markers rechecked in Sept., which doc says they were elevated cause the liver, idk, it's scary.. I pray I'll be ok, in a lot of pain.. A LOT.. I hope and pray for CURE soon, no more bandaids, I'm sick of this.. :(
Hi Jennifer! Nice to accidentally meet you! I am sorry you are hurting. Keep your primary and med onc MDs in the loop on all that you are doing and not doing so they can best help you. Talk to your med onc too about the pros and cons of trying a different AI.
Gentle to moderate exercise can do wonders for AI related pain but can be hard to start. Have one of your physicians get you to a PT to get you the help you deserve. Best wishes to you!!
thank you, that's so kind lovely and smart and kind doctor..I need to catch up on all your vids now.. just wuv you and your kindness and knowledge.. keep inspiring us..
my 43 year old wife had 1 large systic ovary removed last year her gyno left the other smaller cystic ovary, i begged her doctor to remove both but she refused because of not wanting to be responsible for later heart & osteo problems,she then put her on depo injection every 3 months it was making her very very weak,plus super heavy & long periods , now she was just diagnosed with estrogen /progesterone positive,Hr negative breast cancer , now the doctor says well i guess i should have removed the other systic ovary at the first surgery,,, why is there SO much confusion in the medical world about estrogen dominance and many illnesses,like cancer,gallstones etc. her doc now wants to remove her last cystic ovary plus her breast plus chemo,,but since the cancer is ER/PR positive wont just removing the bad ovary and a complete lifestyle & diet change stop or at least slow the cancer down, ??????????
Hi tttony- if her cancer team is recommending chemotherapy, that means they believe lifestyle change and estrogen blocking is not enough to best protect her.