...that is the question!
 
I am curious of the choices you have made.  I had a local recurrence in 2008 (lymphode) and at that time my onco switched me from Arimidex to monthly injections of Faslodex.  I still have the option of surgery and am starting to lean towards it.  At the time,  after mastectomy & chemo treatments I just didn't want to face 1 more surgery! 
 
Is it typical that after 5 years of AI's that your treatment just stops?  I will be 52 years old.  Is there still a chance that estrogen could be pumpin thru my system without the A.I.'s?
 
Appreciate your feedback~

DC.-51-yr old mother
Dx-7/05 Lumpectomy 8/05 Rt Mastectomy 10/05
3 lymphnodes / 3 negative
Her2+ ER+/PR -
No Rads/No Chemo - Lupron & Arimidex
6/08 Re-occurrence 1+/2 lymphnodes Auxillary Disection 7/08 2+/10 ...8/08 6 rounds TCH...3/08 6wks Radiation
Faslodex injections 1x month
Got thru it....you can do it....loving every day!!!

Hi,
 
Estrogen is not just made in the ovaries so the answer is yes it can, my Onc said newer studies show its beneficial to remain on arimidex for seven years but left it up to me but of course I agreed as for all I know this drug is keeping me cancer free:)
 
There is a close link between breast and ovarian cancer and I had my ooph in '06 as a prevantive and have no regrets and it was the easiest op I ever had:)
Good luck with your decision but can tell you recovery was very fast!:)

Tricia Keegan...From Ireland Dx July '05 IDC 3/9 nodes pos..triple positive..a/c x 4..Taxol/herceptin x 12
Herceptin 1yr ..rads x35 oophorectomy Aug '06
Currently taking Arimidex /Zometa 1 x yearly
Carepage- survivortricia

I finally had a hysterectomy in December. I did 5 years of Tamoxifen from age 54-59. Since I was premenopausal when diagnosed, I really don't know when I went through menopause. The Tamoxfien caused a lot of issues (or the issues were going through menopause????) I finally requested the total hysterectomy just to end it all. I truly believe that even at 60 my ovaries were pumping out some estrogen becuase I've had some hot-flashes and joint pain since the surgery. But they're very manageable, and I'm glad that source of possible estrogen is gone.****Is your doctor willing to do hormone testing to see if they can tell if you're truly menopausal now? Like Trish said, you can continue Arimadex for longer, but would you have to continue the Lupron too???****I do have to say that the laprascopic surgery was much easier than I had anticipated....in hind-sight, I wish I would have asked for it much sooner... Joyce

Portland, OR. DX: 6/09/05 IDC lb Age: 54 PR/HR+ Her- Lumpectomy/SNB 6/22/05 Nodes Neg! 33X Rads Comp 10/12/05 Tamoxifen: '05-'10 PT for lymphydema in breast '06 BRCA Neg 7/08! Tamoxifen induced uterine issues '07-'11 Total LA hysterectomy 12/11

I was triple negative, so did not take any of the estrogen-suppressing drugs. But I found out in 2005 that I have the BRCA2 genetic mutation, so I opted for a total hysterectomy. As Tricia said, the operation, if it can be done vaginally, is not difficult. Good luck with your decision.

Rena age 63 California Central Coast
26-year survivor
BRCA2-positive
Dx 1986 IDC ER/PR negative 22 positive lymph nodes
CMFVP chemo weekly for one year, 7 weeks radiation
October 2007: New chassis and spark plugs!

I think there is a good possiblilty that you are still producing estrogen via ovaries. The problem with the estriodol levels is they fluctuate so much that it's difficult to use it as the only barometer for menopause. Would the doc consider putting you on tamoxifen? 
I had a Davinci total hysterectomy (ovaries /tubes) just about a year ago.  I found the recovery not quite as easy as I had imagined, but far better than an abdominal op would have been.   I imagine an uncomplicated ooph done via laparoscope or DaVinci would be a relatively easy recovery.
 I miss my estrogen, but know it's best for them to be gone.   

However you decide to go, I would get a second opinion before making a final decision.
God luck!

dx ILC/dcis excisional biopsy 5/30/08
r segmental mast (partial) snb 6/4
node neg stage1 gr ll
er+/pr- Her2 - Oncotype Dx 11
R mast 9/22/08 w DIEP
tamox,now AI 
BRCA 1 & 2 NEG
davinci hyst/bso,