Life on aromasin
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I had chemo induced menopause and was put on Aromasin, while checking my monthly hormonal levels. In the beginning I had excruciating joint pain, but after being on it for about 6 months it was better- did not go away but is better---Then I started to come out of menopause and had to get Lupron, to suppress my ovaries. The joint pain has started again and I am taking naproxen around the clock- just started a few days ago after the pain became too much.
I do wonder if its just joint pain or a recurrence, I guess that's what our brains do.
I currently have a heated blanket on my legs the heat helps, until I get a hot flash and have to throw it off me.
No hair loss, but my hair grew back fine. So now it is lupron every 4 months, Zometa infusion every 6 months. Breast surgeon every 6 months and MO every 6 months. As someone said to me, isn't it great to leave all the cancer stuff behind...uh yeah, sure, behind..... Did I mention I have lyphedema too,
I do work out I lift 3 days a week and Zumba twice a week, if its helping then I would really be in bad shape if I did not excercise.
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BC/BS of Florida PPO , my co pay for generic aromasin in $395 a month. That equals my car payment. So I ordered from an on line Canada pharmacy . Cost is $124 for 90 day supply. My family has used these Canadian pharmacies all with good luck. They offer brand name. generic made in the UK, generic made in India. I always get the British made. Good enough for the queen , its good enough for little 'Ole me. The down side is the ship time .
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RaiderGirl,
I'm not sure what insurance you have but most insurance companies are now required to provide Aromasin at no cost to us.
Please check your coverage to be sure.
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ok, I had Oxford before I was retired and ordered my meds from Walgreens, and certainly did pay a copay! forget what it was but likely at least $30 per month
copays depend on your health plan and mine was a one for a small business!
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Lago,
If you are now struggling with anxiety, it will likely lead to depression. I know that Arimidex was a problem before.
For me anxiety and depression are strongly linked. There are so many meds that can help control the anxiety and prevent depression. I've been so lucky since diagnosed because my med for depression has worked throughout the BC DX and TX, except for being on steroids for a severe allergic reaction. BUT it took serval years to find the right one. I was lucky for that to have been figured out before the DX. My situation was complex.
If I was fighting anxiety or depression on AIs, with my experience on anti depression med, I wouldn't hesitate to take something. It's worth it to stay on an AI.
I hope your PCP can help.
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SchoolCounselor & RaiderGirl Copay with Aetna is around $40 but you first have to meet your deductible which in most cases are high. Till you meet that deductible $395 sounds about right. I was paying $290-$310 if I bought it at CVS which is the preferred. Then I figured out it was cheaper to buy a 90 month supply from CVS. Before I was using GoodRX and it was around $200.
Aetna on their site even recommends Anastrozole as the cheaper alternative.
Doxie She gave me a script. Granted she seemed to feel I should go back to my MO but I told her what happened last time. Her focus is to keep the cancer away. Felt my issue last time wasn't with the Anastrozole. Husband with with me to confirm it was. Lets hope it works and doesn't give me more SE. There is no way I can continue to function like this. Stopping the AI isn't something I'm willing to do right now. Too much to lose.
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lago,
If the anti anxiety med causes SE, there are many others. Hang in there girl. I too cannot imagine going off of AIs. Such a security blanket.
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Yes, taking an AI is a HUGE security blanket for me, too. I'd never consider going off it.
As for depression, I've read that if left untreated, it can actually permanently alter brain cells. I'm not against taking antidepressants, just haven't found anything that seems to work well for me. For anxiety, I'm more apt to try mind-body techniques. Also, I highly recommend the book "The Chemistry of Calm" and "The Chemistry of Joy" by Henry Emmons, MD.
For those who pay a lot for Aromasin - are you getting the generic brand? I always refer to it as Aromasin on this thread, but I am actually taking Exemestane. I'm changing insurances next year, so am hoping that it'll be covered at little or no cost to me.
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Yes I am taking the generic, Exemestane.
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Doxie, I too have a sharper focus on Aromasin than I did on Arimidex. Joint pain has returned, so far it is not quite as bad as with the Arimidex, but it does seem to get a little bit worse every day. Colder weather doesn't help much. I am going to try some aromatherapy remedies to see if it helps because I really don't want to take any more medications. Between my regular meds and the supplements that I am taking, I take more meds than some of my 90-year-old residents! (That's probably why they have lived so long....not too many meds LOL).
Lago, I haven't noticed any anxiety with the Aromasin, but I have noticed a bit of a depression/melancholy. Again, hoping that some aromatherapy will help with that.
Martha
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Sharper focus
that's a great way to describe it. I had no focus at all on Arimidex, on Aromasin I feel like I have my brain back lol.Lago - I'm sorry to hear you are having problems with anxiety. I can't offer any advice - I'm lucky I don't have that particular se, but sending you ((((hugs)))) from Down Under
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Hi sorry you are depressed Iago, I wish I could help you feel better.
I am sending hugs, a gorgeous gluten free banana and choc cake with the most delicious icing you have ever tasted! And a lovely cool glass of spring water with a twist of lemon
We can sit and watch ToyStory 3 and have a good cry mixed with a lot of laughter! Then we can have a really good moan about how Sh** cancer is.x x
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Ooooh Songbird, can I come to the party? I love Toy Story (and cake..lol) and my beverage of choice is always water so I would fit right in.
Hugs Lago and Happy Thanksgiving! May you find some joy in this holiday!!
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More Anxiety than depressed. Thanks everyone.
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Lago, are you saying that you traded depression on arimidex for anxiety on exemestane? Ughhh. Not sure which is worse.
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Hard to say which is worse. When I was depressed it wasn't as bad as other folks have it. I just kept getting worse and worse till I realized it was the drug causing it. Anxiety is tough because I'm in a creative field looking for a job. Starting and new freelance job and having anxiety effects my performance, especially speed. I can't have that.
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Hi gals. I am joining the aromasin gang, hopefully Monday, if my stupid insurance company gets their act together. I mean, the drug requires a pre-auth. What? What idiot would willingly take this drug?
I am hoping for the best, since an AI is the only way to kill the mets, according to my MO. Sigh.
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yeah well do not start talking about insurance but certainly they will approve and you will be able to move on to kick the junks ass
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Hi Iago. I am a creative person, freelance like you.
I chanced upon a term "walking depression", and found that it is a particular kind of depression/anxiety that happens to creative people. Alison Gresik gives ten definitions.
Recognising these symptoms in myself is gradually helping me deal with things. I am getting better at control the heart wrenching anxiety that sometimes absorbs me.
Could be useful to you.
Just trying to help, please don't be offended.
x x
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Not offended songbird but I checked it out. I don't have most of those symptoms according to the website.
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I'm so relieved you are not offended Iago!
Sorry it was of no use to you.
x x
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For those of you that are gaining weight on Aromasin, do you think you are eating more? Moving less? I'm just curious. I have put a couple pounds back on and I want to make sure that doesn't happen. Likely I have been eating a little more of the things I don't usually eat....more and more treats showing up at work. But I am trying to get on the rowing machine more often to counter that. Just wondering!
Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!
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walking depression fits me, plus PTSD unprompted panic and systemic anxiety with no thought attached.....
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Rhody, I think in my case, it is almost like I am eating more to try and "find" energy that I am lacking since beginning the drug. Obviously, eating more doesn't work and in fact has the opposite effect. Even though I know this rationally, it is still what I think I am doing sub-consciously! Oh well, my New Year resolution is to try and lose what I gained. Hard but doable!
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Does anyone know how long after stopping Aromasin/Exemestane the aromatase enzymes are regenerated? I know it destroys those enzymes, as opposed to merely inhibiting them as the other 2 AI's do. I'm currently on a drug break from Letrozole to get it out of my system, then my MO wants me to try Aromasin to see if the SE's are better/worse. I already tried Arimidex and had severe insomnia. I would assume since Aromasin destroys the enzymes, the recovery time once you are off is much longer, due to the waiting period for the enzymes to be created.
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i dont think that is the case sadly.......
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Rhody, between quitting arimidex (beginning of June), starting exemestane (July 4), and, now going back on arimidex, I've gained the same 25 pounds I lost when I started arimidex on April Fool's Day of last year. Shortly after starting exemestane, I developed a huge and uncharacteristic appetite for carbs. I've just gone back on arimidex, and am hoping that will make a difference in appetite and hair loss.
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RhodyMMM I gained a good 10lbs on Anastrozole. I lost it all in about 6 or less months when I switched to Exemestane without changing anything.
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http://www.drugs.com/cons/aromasin.html there is a lot of detailed info on here especially towards the end
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Lily, I'll read the link after posting here. Hi everyone I've been active in the forums for a year mostly in the bone mets stage IV thread and the Arimidex thread. Today I had my every-three month visit with the oncologist and she said the tumor markers have been rising steadily for the last three times they've tested me (they test every three months) so she said she will probably be switching me to Aromasin or Faslodex so I am started to read as much as I can on Aromasin. I read a few of your posts and I gather that some of you have lost weight while on it while others have actually gained. On Arimidex I've gained about 25 lbs so it would be a welcome se if I lost on Aromasin. I won't know until January what will happen because I had already plan a trip to Mexico to visit my parents, leaving next Monday and returning Jan. 9th. My doctor is going to try to get a PET scan approved by Medicaid (last one was denied) before she makes the switch, in the meantime I would love to read more about Aromasin, so I'll be around this thread if you don't mind.
Aurora
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