I’ve been on Arimidex for 4 years with Xgeva shots every 3 months since dx Mbc in January 2017. My tumor markers have increased by about 10 a month so I’m now at 121. CT scan in December didn’t show progression, Pet Ct scan last August showed uptake in same vertebrae but they said it could be osteoarthritis. I don’t feel that it’s definitive enough to change treatment but please can someone tell me if I have my head in the sand?. I injured myself recently while twisting during exercising and realized I should be more careful. I feel fine otherwise and I’m reluctant to add ibrance or Faslodex as I have eye surgery scheduled in a couple of weeks. I see. My Oncologist in another week but his view last time was that the cancer was hiding somewhere so I feel he will nudge me to make a change. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Chris
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Pachira
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Hi Chris did you tell your doctor that you injured your back exercising. From what I was told things like that show up on pet scans. That is why we are told don't exercise or anything strenuous for days before a pet scan. Just a thought that you may want to check into!
Hello, my mom was in similar situation when after 2 years on Arimidex PET/CT scan showed something suspicious in her first vertebrae. Her oncologist send her for DWI-MRI to confirm it is a progression and not just an inflammation. Unfortunately it was a progression so we were happy we caught it before it progressed further.
Thank you for sharing that information. I had an MRI of the brain. Head and neck in December which didn’t show anything suspicious. I will ask my Onc what he thinks about another MRI this time of the vertebrae. I had never heard of DWI before but in 4 years I’ve only had the MRI in December. I wonder if that’s a Medicare/insurance issue. Can you tell me what was added to your mum’s Arimidex?
She had a stereotactic radiosurgery for the vertebrae and they switched her from Arimidex to monthly Faslodex shots. We have had a second opinion as well and both oncologists agreed that Arimidex is not working anymore. They did DWI-MRI for whole body to make sure there is no more spots before they do radiosurgery. I am in US but my mom is not so we just pay for all scans out of pocket and do not need to get permission from insurance.
Thank you and I do hope you Mum continues to do well on the Faslodex which is one of the treatments that my Onc is suggesting. I too am in the US (Olympia Wa) and I think Faslodex is quite expensive. Nothing like Ibrance however. If your mum is in the UK it’s cheaper there I believe.
Thank you, I hope your next line of treatment will last for long time as well. It is amazing that Arimidex worked for 4 years for you. My mother is in Russia and Faslodex is quite expensive (around 700 euro) but not as crazy expensive as Ibrance is. Few days ago she managed to get it through her insurance for free so we do not need to pay anything for Faslodex in the future. I wish you all the best!
Great news about the reduced cost of Faslodex. I think it’s the same cost here or more. I’m Scottish now American but always wanted to visit Russia. Travel is going to be camping in our trailer for a few days. No long haul flights in our crystal ball. Hope your mum and I can keep this at bay for a while longer. Take care and thanks again!
Hi, Chris,Sorry for this delayed response to your post. I don’t think you have your head in the sand but was glad to see you were going to be consulting with your oncologist.
Just realized that you are around my age and also live in Washington State. I’m from Seattle, diagnosed with MBC in late 2017. Just started third line of treatment, Xeloda. Hope you’re doing well!
Thanks Linda! We thought we lived in Lacey but recently realized we’re in Olympia lol. Close to Thornbury park which is nice. I did get a slight decrease in my tumor markers on my visit in April so I’m thinking it was the increase in green smoothies. Glad to hear you’re doing well and we have the summer to look forward to. It might have been you that suggested a naturopath and I did get a couple of appointments which I found quite reassuring. I’ve just had glaucoma surgery on both eyes and cararact surgery on my right eye so driving is out for me. If you’re ever down this way, let me know and you can pop over for lunch or tea whatever you can fit in. Love Chris
Would love to do that, Chris! 💗💗Are you treated in Olympia? I have great oncologist at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Pray we hang in there for a looooong time!!
Yes it’s actually Providence on 3rd street in Lacey that I go to. The Naturopath that I saw was Dr Erica Joseph from Seattle integrative oncology that seems to partner with Providence/St Peters. She was very informative and had access to all of my records. It just felt good talking to someone independent of the Oncologist. She felt my cancer was slow growing so that bucked me up. My email is cbbrew@comcast.net
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