Life on aromasin
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Violet - ugh, AI and dryness. Talk with your GYN and check out get my mojo back thread. Suggestions to help with dryness and work with AI and ER+
Gosh, life was so easy...panty liners because too wet!
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I started on Dec. 1st. But this last 2 weeks I'm really starting to get joint pain in my hands. Besides moving, of course, what are some of the things you all are doing for joint pain?
My MO wants me to start Fosamax. Do to my osteopenia. Anyone had/have side effects?
RMlulu, thanks for the info. My cholesterol was 185 so I can hardly wait to wee how much it goes up.
Violet, I am older than you but being the Al and going through chemo, watch for "tightness" when having sex. I was having that issue, was never a problem before. Now I am actually working with the facilities Lympho Phycial Therapist. I was lucky enough not to have chemo but she told me she works with a lot of patients that have had chemo and get this problem.
I'm considered the walking pharmacy with all the crap I take. Ugh!
RaderGirl, I love your siggy line. Too many don't realize that cancer isn't cute I don't consider it a "journey" A journey should be something fun. No fun here. The pink thing frustrates me all the manufactures jump on the band wagon to improve profits and many only contribute 1/2 to 1% of what they get. My motto
Why there is no cure for cancer
Cancer Treatment = Millions in Profit
Cancer Cure = 0 in Profit
Especially when you read that chemo is the highest money maker for hospitals and cancer centers. Not to mention the Drug companies.
Rant over. Sorry got off track.
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rettemich I started on Anastrozole (Arimidex) for 3 years. I was already osteopenic but stable until year 2. I did switch to Exemestane (Aromasin) at year 3. I started with Fosamax for my bones but got acid reflux. I am now doing Prolia. I really wish I could have taken the Fosomax. I also wish I started before I got the osteoperosis but I'm just slightly over in my spine. My hips have been fairly stable.
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rettemich, my joint pain is in my ankles. Just this past week I started rubbing a mixture of peppermint essential oil and coconut oil on the area at night before bed and my joint pain has improved temendously.
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hi Everyone. I am new here. I start Aromasin in the next week or so (as soon as I get my prescription from my mail order) and I am also doing monthly Lupron shots since I am 37 and premenopausal. Just wanted to day hi and see if anyone here was doing the same thing.
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Kellogg I am just on Exemestane. I went into permanent menopause after chemo. Just wanted to say hi and Yay Pats. I'm originally from the South Shore (MA)
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Bluemnm, I have also been "playing" with essential oils to help with my joint pain. I have made several concoctions (blends) that really help! I find that I have pain in many joints, but also in my wrists and ankles which is unique. I would expect pain in the hips/knees/feet etc. because of the stress of being overweight, the ankles and wrists surprised me. The right blend of essential oils seems to help by warming the area and decreasing inflammation. I am on a learning journey and really enjoying it!
Kellogg, as Lago said, Yay Pats! I am a former New Englander now deep in the heart of Steeler country......
Martha
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rettemich- YES, it is tighter, or as my gyno so lovingly refers to it as "Vaginal atrophy".
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Lago and Rhody... Yay go Pats! On my way to my MO appointment weds I actually walked right through the parade route. Unfortunately I was too early and didn't see it but it was cool to see all the fans.
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Kellogg, are you at MGH? I live in northeast ct but did my surgery and follow-up there. I am headed to see my onc (Dr Isakoff) thisWednesday. I have heard there are lots of issues with traffic and snow piles?
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Hi Ginger. Yes I am at MGH. He is my oncologist too! Yes lots of snow. Some of the piles and sidewalks were better last week but it's snowing a lot again today. hopefully by weds things will be better.
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My moms primary care doctor called her yesterday night to reschedule her appointment. This is at the MGH. Ginger I would call to see if you need to reschedule. Isn't Boston supposed to get snow through Wednesday. I hear there were 2 hours waits on the T today.
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thanks, Lago, I will check tomorrow. They did post on Facebook that they are closing early today and appts before 10tomorrow morning need to reschedule. It sounds like the T and buses are not working well. I think Wednesday is supposed to be ok but more snow might be coming on Thursday.
Kellogg- small world. I like MGH. My experiences there have been very positive. It takes about an hour and a half to get there but is well worth it for excellent care.
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ginger they have suspended all train/subway service tonight and tomorrow but weds "should" be better. Who knows this is getting ridiculous. I like it there a lot. I was diagnosed at a different (smaller) hospital and had a bad experience meeting some of the doctors so went to MGH for a second opinion and the difference in the doctors knowledge and professionalism was amazing. Good luck weds!
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Can anyone share with me if they are experiencing swelling in their hands, fingers from the Aromasin. I have lymphedema too so the additional swelling is an added aggravation. Have you found any relief for it? Any secrets to help with the swelling that the Aromasin is causing? Will I continue to swell and get bigger and bigger the longer I take it or will it taper off?
Thanks in advance!
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Hi mcgis, so sorry you have swelling. I have it in my wrists and ankles. Doc gave me fenbid gel ibuprofen to massage in affected areas to help with swelling. It does give relief:) I also use a wrist brace at night, so maybe you could use some kind of strapping for your hands? Hope this helps. xx
Please can anyone tell me what gets rid of knee and thigh bone ache? I've been on Aromasin coming up 6 months and this has just started. I'm hobbling around! I don't like it
x x
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Songbird I also have achy bones. Especially in my wrists and ankles. I have been making some essential oil massage blends to rub on, they do help. Similar to the pain relieving gels and creams that you can get. Different oils have warming and anti-inflammatory properties. Some smell kind of funky, but others smell okay! Rubbing it on helps massage, increase circulation and provides heat.
mcgis, I have also noticed some swelling in my hands, hard to tell if it's lymphedema or aromasin. I'm leaning towards the aromasin because it seems the same on both sides and it started after I switched to aromasin. I also seem to have gained a few pounds, but my activity level has decreased and now I have a sweet tooth!
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Thank you Rhody, sorry you are having similar effects. I think you're right your hands swelling on both sides is probably the aromasin. I couldn't touch my fingers around my wrist for months, but the swelling has gone down there and now I can do that again. And being able to wear my rings and bracelets again makes me happy:) Seems to have moved downwards to my legs. I don't mind this as much, because I can walk the stiffness off. I found it very hard to do things when it was in my hands. I hope yours goes down soon.
I would like to try the essential massage oils you have suggested. Which combinations have you found to be best? Also have you found tiger balm any use?
Now you mention it, I seem to be a bit thicker around my lower abdomen lately too! I'm blaming winter
x x
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hi ladies! Several familiar faces here. My MO plans to switch me fr tamoxifen to exemestane. I've heard that this is a steroidal drug and that other AIs are not. Not sure whether this is true. If so, I'd expect weight gain while on it. Anyone noticed weight gain from it (exemestane/Aromasin)!
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formydaughter I gained 10 lbs on Anastrozole. When I switched to Exemestane I lost all 10 lbs. My new PCP was concerned about the weight loss. I had to explain to her 3 times that this was my normal weight. She finally looked back to 3 years prior and realized I was now my normal weight.
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I gained a LOT of weight since beginning this drug and I know I am not alone. Lago is the exception I think (YAY LAGO!) rather than the rule. The drug is not a steroid the way I understand it, but rather it "mimics" a steroid in our bodies. If someone else has a better way to explain it, I hope they chime in!
All of the AI's and hormone blockers are rough...no doubt about it. Some people just have less side effects than others. I don't think more than a handful get off without at least some joint pain or worse...
BUT, I am grateful I have the option regardless!
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I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. No joint pain or weight gain, but side effects like moodiness and insomnia are no picnic either.
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bc101 I did get anxiety on Exemestane. I'm now taking something for that. It was either treat that or no AI for me and I do believe I need the AI. I do now have tinnitus from the zoloft but I rather have that than aniety
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Anyone get numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers?
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I'm pretty sure my extra swelling (besides what I have normally from lymphedema) is from the Aromasin. It started when I started the meds and it's in my other hand too.
hopeful, i don't have tingling or numbness but i suppose that can come with time? or is just one of those s/e that some get and some don't.
as for weight gain i've gained a couple pounds but i also had a full hysterectomy in Oct. so it might be the Aromasin or menopause. i've walking a lot (10,000+ steps/day) so i'm hoping things even out soon.
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No weight gain on Aromasin. Usually 3-5 pounds less than my pre-chemo weight. As long as I exercise and avoid gluten, my aches and pains are minimal. Thumbs and toes are the main aches.
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I've gained a few pounds but I'm not sure if it's from the examestane or diet/exercise habits. I was much more active in the summer/fall than I have been this winter, but I am trying to step it back up. I have found that I seem to have more of a sweet tooth than usual since I switched to examestane, so that doesn't help! Aches and pains seem to get worse by the day, and I'm sure the cold weather doesn't help. I just need to quit whining, I'm sure DH is tired of it!
Stay strong ladies!
Martha
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I have had some swelling in my hands and feet, joint pain, weight gain, dryness and a foggy head while taking this med but I have found all these side effects are reduced and I have lost almost 40 pounds by eating very clean (mostly whole foods and nothing processed) and with regular exercise.
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Ginger48,
Congratulations on the hard work of losing weight! I always gain in winter and lose in summer. Less exercise and worse eating habits are my downfalls. I prefer exercising outside. Right now is it -2 with a wind chill of -17. Beautiful sunny morning at daybreak, but no way am I going out there for a walk, on black ice too.
My goal is to get to the lower half of a good BMI. With my winter weight gain, I bump to the top of it. This is not the aromasin, but my behavior causing the problem.
What is difficult for us on these AIs is that we are aging as we take them. 5-10 years is a huge chunk of our lives as we age in the latter half of our lives. What would have ached or swollen if I hadn't had BC? I can tease out radiation damage, SLN scar, LE, dry eyes, extreme vaginal dryness as BC treatment related. Thumb and toe joint pain/swelling/ triggering? Probably. Other arthritic symptoms, maybe. Most other things, probably not.
It seems a little delusional to me to assume that if I stop taking this pill all symptoms will disappear. Though I'm certain many would or at least ease. I'm bumping up against 60 and in otherwise very good health. Still who can age without something bothering them?
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Doxie my NP said that once you stop the pill you will go back to what is "normal" for you at the age you stop. ABTW I too have been challenged with exercise this winter (January/February). Put on a few but I know they will be gone again once we get above 20 degrees with no ice on the grown. I worry about falling too.
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