http://www.topix.com/forum/drug/arimidex/T5DSAR8K0PRCD7H5T
I just got through reading emails "ABOVE LINK" by women about the VERY BAD results of taking arimidex.
My wife is determined to stop taking arimidex, but she needs information from someone "other than myself" that will reassure her that she will still be getting estrogen control if she swiches to DIM. I would appreciate it if SOME OF YOU would read the ARTICLE below.
I read the ARTICLE IN THE LINK BELOW to Mona, and we both would appreciate hearing SOME OF THOUGHTS about this article, We would also like to hear any additional comments that you may have that would reassure us that Mona will difinately be better off switching to DIM than to continue taking Arimidex. http://www.wanttobewell.com/articles8.htm
Ron D, husband of my wife
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment6 Comments
I was once told by a PA (regarding a surgeon that wanted to do surgery on my shoulder) that "when you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail." That's how I have found the surgeons, radiologist, etc., to be. Each focusing on their own aspect of your disease. I too am trying decide between an AI and DIM. I am early stage 1 and have gone through radiation. So much of what is out there contradictory. I hope this gentleman and his wife found their answer. I am still seeking.
August 1, 2012 - 1:01pmThis Comment
Did you find anything?
January 2, 2015 - 9:17amThis Comment
Hi Ceceilia - Thanks for your very thoughtful post and for your candid comments. I too am sorry that the article is no longer available as it makes it hard to understand this conversation.
I believe the advice being given is to have a candid conversation with his wife's doctor. I don't interpret the comments as saying that doctors should be the only source of information. The whole reason this site was founded was to provide a way that women could get reliable information to assist them in making their own health decisions, and we advocate getting multiple opinions when needed.
To be honest, it's refreshing to hear from someone such as yourself who does understand the need to do your own research, be your own advocate and work with your medical team. There are far too many people who come to this site, and others, and ask total strangers a question seeking an online diagnosis and to be told what to do next to take care of a health situation. That's not advocating for your health, and can potentially be dangerous.
I hope you will consider joining our Cancer Survivors Group, I have a feeling you would bring a lot of good insight and information to the table.
Take care,
October 14, 2010 - 5:35pmPat
This Comment
Hey Ron D. We submitted your question to medical expert Barbara Dehn and here's what she had to say:
"Dear Ron,
I can read your frustration with the situation. You and your wife are dealing with so much right now and most people would be overwhelmed and searching for information wherever they can find it.
In your wife's case, because I assume she's considering Arimidex for breast cancer treatment, she needs to talk to an oncologist that she trusts and can help advise you. Every woman's situation and condition is different. These are complex issues and the treatments are individualized. The consequences of following treatment or changing could seriously impact her life and her prognosis.
As tempting as it is to want to get advice from the web, (notice I said advice, not information), in this case, please call her Ob/gyn, her breast specialist and / or her oncologist and talk about your very real concerns.
This is NOT an article, this is an attempt to explain complex metabolic pathways, and what the author is saying is controversial, not widely accepted medical thought: http://www.wanttobewell.com/articles8.htm
I wish that I could make this easier and give advice, but her situation is very different and the consequences of her changing her therapy based on misinformation and opinions from people who have not read her entire chart, have not examined her and are making generalizations could be deadly.
I'm sorry, Good luck, and please find a way to talk about your concerns with her doctors. She's already been through a lot, and you want her to get the best advice, based on her unique situation, not something generic from on-line sources.
After all, your doctors all went to medical school for 4 years then had between 5-8 more years of training. They have the knowledge and the expertise to help you, so please talk to them,
Nurse Barb
January 15, 2009 - 12:38pmwww.NurseBarb.com"
This Comment
Hi, unfortunately it appears that the link that you provided is no longer available. I honor your sound advice that every case is different, and there is a lot of conflicting information on the internet. However, I sense here that the advice is that the doctors be the only source of information. I am a two time breast cancer survivor, have several family members who are doctors and work in the pharma industry. While I advocate that we use all avenues available to us, there is a tendency from the medical profession to only recommend pharmaceuticals, many of which come with intolerable side effects. Information to help us maximize our survival that we see on the news or in magazines is often ignored by the doctors. After my second diagnosis several years ago (local recurrence in the same breast), I received five opinions on treatment options and every one of them were different! Two went to the tumor boards of prominent university hospitals and one was a physician in CA who has a breast cancer consultation service. It inspired me to educate myself on options, rather than leaving all the decisions to my doctors (who were apparently all in disagreement). As an example, I had mentioned the role of Vitamin D and cancer to my oncologist years ago and he dismissed it. Now it's commonly recommended by my OB and other primary care physician for its many benefits beyond just cancer. Despite all the information on the role of diet we hear on the TV and magazines, it's never been raised by any of my physicians. Again, not to knock the fine work that they do but they are not the sole authority and don't always know best. My 80 year old uncle a physician in CA told me something to keep in mind when I was first diagnosed. Each specialist would always recommend their "stuff" (i.e. medical oncologist chemo, radiation oncologist radiation, surgeon surgery). We have become enamored with the miracle drugs and have lost sight of also boosting our own body's ability to heal. I know time has elapsed since this original post so not sure the route Ron's wife went. If I was asked today, I would say present the information on both DIM and Arimidex and ultimately have his wife go with her gut on what course to take. My hope is that the cancer world will change to where all modalities are used for a holistic approach to cancer, and an environment where the patient is active in the decision making process. After all, many patients these days die not from their diseases but from complications from medical treatments.
October 14, 2010 - 2:50pmThis Comment
Anon, this may be a question better suited for one of the doctors we have access to that help us answer medical questions.
Can you tell us more about your wife's case? I know from your post that she is in recovery from breast cancer; can you tell us what kind she had, and what stage it was in, and what other medicines or treatments she has tried? And her age?
What side effects is she experiencing from the Arimidex? Does her doctor have a strong opinion on the Arimidex vs. DIM question?
We can forward that information to a specialist and see what their opinion is.
January 15, 2009 - 9:32amThis Comment