Would you quit taking an important drug to get rid of pain?

[Guest guest]

Would you quit taking a potentially life-saving drug to get rid of pain?

I will have to make a decision soon, and I wondered what you guys would do.

Three years ago I had breast cancer (Stage 1 noninvasive ductal

carcinoma). All mammograms have been good.

I have been on two drugs, both for hormone receptor-positive breast

cancer. The goal is to lower my estrogen to prevent future tumors. The first one

was the worst (Arimidex) and the Femara was a close second. It causes joint

pain, fibromyalgia-like muscle aches, fatigue, wrist pain similar to carpal

tunnel, " fogginess, " and an overall funk. It causes bone thinning and increases

cholesterol. All this in addition to my other pain issues.

Now, I have been off the Femara since Sept. 19. The excruciating leg

pain is still there -- it was before the breast cancer. However, the fogginess

is practically gone. Joint pain is lessened, muscle pain has diminished

considerably. I don't drag out of bed now. I am basically back to just dealing

with the original pain. My oncologist supports me in staying off the drug for 6

months to see exactly how much better I feel.

What would you do? Would you trade a huge chunk of your pain for the

small risk of a cancer returning? With the drug I have a 5-7% chance of it

coming back. Without it, a 10-14% chance.

Thanks,