Life on aromasin
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LindaKR - I feel better since taking Curcumin, it definitely helped with pain and inflammation a lot.......I was really low for same reasons as you before, but the liposomal version works best.
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Linda I could cry at the drop of a hat on Anastrozole. Granted I didn't start off that way but this year it started. I didn't need a big cry. It was the drug for sure because now I am fine
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Iago, I fell into a deep depression last winter, on Aromasin. I had tried Arimidexbut the joint pain was too great. I don't like taking so many meds but my PCP put me on Lexapro, and it has done wonders for my mental state. It'smy way of continuing to get thebenefits of Aromasin and living an almost normal life! Not sure if you're adamant about anti-depressants, but they solved my problem. Good luck..
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dang lago, that's no good! I wonder how I would feel if I quit AIs, too afraid of the cancer coming back. On the subject of antidepressants, I've been on 6 or 7 the side effects, for me anyway, were much , much worse than any benefits! So I'm not taking any now, I do want to cry a lot, my docs feel it might be a good idea, that maybe I've just been holding it all in for too long....don't know how I feel about that! I'm seeing a fibro specialist now too and she put my on Metanx, a methalated folate, it takes time, but is supposed to help with multiple pain syndromes, and depression, it's considered a supplement so not covered by insurance, but need something. Here's the website for metanx http://www.metanx.com
Maybe I should consider changing AIs again???? Lago please let me know how it all goes!!!
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My MO appointment isn't till June after the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting (in Chicago). Will be interesting to hear what she has to say. She doesn't beat around the bush. I know she'll say "well if you stay off it you could be fine but we just don't know."
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Changed from Femara to Aromasin on April 8.. anyone have sudden feeling of "sea legs"....not vertigo.. but an imbalance....
It just comes on, then goes away....
Going to Dr. next week for check up but I am convinced its an SE.... does say on the drug s/e's that dizziness is one of them. .
Thanks
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I just recently ended my 5 yrs of aromasin, interesting but about 18 months ago, I had a bought of vertigo that sent me to the docs.
they told me I needed brain surgery~~~I went for a second opinion and he said I had had a virus, it never returned. Recently,I needed sinus surgery and now I think that might have been the cause as my sinuses were a mess
I think we have to be careful about blaming the ALs for all problems, but good luck figuring it out
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my nose is dry on Aromasin, was drier on Femara! I was told its important to take a minimum of a month ff before starting a new AI, ad you get more se's otherwise
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dventi, I have had two episodes of "sea legs". Both happened when I was on my morning jog right after I took my Femara. First time, I found myself walking sidestep instead of forward for a few steps and the second time, I had to stop and put my hand down on the ground for balance...like I was in an earthquake. I haven't had that occur since I started taking the Femara later...after morning exercise ritual. I did read that dizziness is a possible side effect of Femara...not sure about Aromasin. I have my follow up with Onc in June and I will report then unless I have more issues.
MsP
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Dizziness is definitely a SE of Aromasin. Right on the bottle it warns that this medicine may cause dizziness. Don't even have to look for the fine print!
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DVenti, I had a 2-month.spell of dizziness and loss of balance while on Aromasin. I had a brain MRI, sinus CT scan, VNG test for inner-ear problems, saw 3 eye specialists, neurologist. No one ever found anything but they also never tied it to Aromasin, so I continued to take it. Looking back, it could have been the Aromasin after all. It eventually went away but it was a very scary time.
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Wave, that was so negligent of your doctors, IMO! At least on my Exemestane bottle, there is a big yellow sticker, really stands out, that says in bold, capital letters: MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS. Also, the pharmacist mentioned this to me. Can't believe you were put through all those tests, when the reason was clearly the medication.
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thanks everyone for input on dizziness w Aromasin!!
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Yorkie, I think very few docs, other than our MO's, are aware of the power and SE of these aromatase inhibitors we take. It was a lesson to me that I have to be aware myself and that sometimes even the MO's don't always know what we experience.
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Amen to that Wave. My MO told me that Aromasin never causes "breathing issues" to her knowledge but if you read the package insert, it clearly states that one of the rare side effects may be shortness of breath. Soooo, could have saved me from a panic attack to know this! Instead, I had to read the entire pamphlet to find it out.
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yes, I have had periodic episodes with shortness of breath! Just had it today while I was hiking!! I have been on aromasin for over 8 years!!!
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Oh there are so many SE's and the Dr.s look at you like I don't think so. Well I too read the whole thing, and the usual ones are in big print then the others may not be---and there are a bunch--but if u ask a pharmacist they know, and they don't look at u like I don't think so---let's face it even meds in commercials say so many Se's it's frightening and at the end they say quickly even death, So they cover themselves very well..
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Hi all. I have been on Aromasin since December 2013, I have been having side effects, and w recently have been hitting the beach, and I have noticed that each time I sit so peacefully in my chair enjoying that sweet ocean breeze, I swell up and my joints become sore. Has anyone else noticed this before ? I see my Oncologist Tuesday and will for sure add it to the list of strange odd things that are happening, but was wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them as well.....thanks
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Hi LisaG,
Since I live in CT and the ice just stopped coming, I can't speak to the beach part of your post, but as to sitting quietly and then getting up to swollen painful joints, yup, that is a side effect for me. I wake up in the morning with joint pain and go to bed at night with it. I have it pretty much most of the time. It sucks but it is the main side effect for many of us. Hoping your onc can answer your questions but wanted to let you know you are not alone..just lucky it took so long to show up for you. Mine began pretty quickly after starting aromasin. I had a month off recently (My MO wanted me to take a break) and it was glorious! Heavenly! But, have been back on for a month and all I can say is ugh!
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Lisa, as a fellow NJ person, we had devine weather this past weekend so sorry it caused problems for you regarding swelling. Then again, my dang arthritis was nasty this past week and today, no aches so maybe it is like that~~
I just ended Aromasin but never had swelling myself
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I find Boswellia helps a lot with this side effect, along with Curcumin
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Hi all thanks for responding. I saw the oncologist today and he did say the swelling in the sun is from the aromasin. Any way , he has switched me to Arimidex to try that. Like with all of these medications, I am very cautious. Actually I am freaking out, but cautious sounds way better. The good news is that I do not take any meds till Monday, so for me that is good news !!! I will take a few days off of this awful stuff......Again thank you all for helping a gal out !!!
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I am trying the Generic Aromasin for 3 months. If I still have issues my onc says that Tamoxifen is better than nothing. She has never been a big fan on Tamoxifen.
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lago,
Check out what I wrote on the Illinois Ladies thread. Here is the short of it. Ruth's golden raisins and gin are working great for me and most AI pain. I can no longer take NSAIDs due to nausea.
On depression. If depression is a problem for those on AIs, there are effective meds out there that may help. I was on my third and effective med when diagnosed with BC. It's held me steady throughout treatment. Don't be afraid to treat the depression to stay on an AI or Tamoxifen.
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OK I took the first pill a few hours ago. Let the eyelashes fall
Doxie my pain is muscle not joint so I don't know if Ruth's magic raisin recipe will work. Only joint pain I have right now is some arthritis (I assume) on my lower left them but only when I touch it. Also stiffness in that hand which I also assume is arthritis. This arthritis stuff is new for me but I guess it goes with now being post menopausal
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lago, I truthly hope you do not loose your eyelashes, I know I never did so stay positive
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I never lost my eyelashes! Been on Aromasin for almost 3 years now. I also don't notice any thinning hair, although many others have mentioned that SE. Lago, I think you'll be fine!
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No eyelash loss or hair thinning that is apparent for me either...been on 1 year. Do see more hair in my hairbrush than before, but it looks the same and my hairdresser did not notice any thinning either. Think POSITIVE!
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everything hairy except for lady garden thickened on Aromasin for me
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Well my eyelashes were thin and short on Anastrozole and my hairline also receded… and since I've been off my eyelashes are long and thick just like before chemo and my hairline has improve, that's only 5 weeks.
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