Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Life on aromasin

1…123124126128129…187

Comments

  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 4,671
    edited February 2015

    doxie, since ending my 5 yrs of AL, my BP has gone down but that could be as I retired do the stress if the job is gone.  My BP was scarey hi even with a strong BP med.  I remember reading a flyer from the Femara folks when I began that said reduce your stress and never loose your health insurance!  I did not do a good job of keeping my stress down as I was focused on the dang work to keep insurance!

    Have seen a bit less of some of the achies but then again, spending tons more time doing gym/swimming and stretching and so who knows.  I am 65 and feel lucky to have gotten to this point

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited February 2015

    proudtospin,

    I too have at times a very stressful job. The stress should have gotten worse in the last few years, but BC (I hate the silver lining thing) taught me to put myself first, because for once I had to. I've even increased my responsibilities at work and I do an increasingly better job since BC, but usually leave the stress at work. I finally get a good night of sleep, though I think aromasin helps with this.


  • rettemich
    rettemich Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2015

    Sorry have had a lot going on haven't been on for a while.

    So far I haven't had any issues with swelling. But weight is a struggle, just trying not to gain. Also trying to get my A1C down. Went down a little, from 6.9 to 6.5. Just HAVE to get that down more. Anyone else diabetic? I also have been using a product called Calm. It's just magnesium. It's a powered form you take before bed. Follow the instructions though or you will end up with diarrhea. It has helped me to sleep and also helps with the cramping at night. For me legs and toes.

    bc101, you might try the Calm, you can find it at most vitamin or health stores, or try some melatonin use the extended release if you can find it. These Really helped me. Amazon might have it too. Start with 2 or 3. It may leave you a little groggy in the morning but does'nt last long. then you get use to it.

    lago, Yesterday was my second dose of Fosamax. To early to tell if there are any side effects. No acid reflex so far, crossing fingers.

    Bluemnm, I would have thought peppermint would be cooling rather than warming. If you don't mind sharing, whats the mixture you use? Wonder if that would help the tingling in my hands. By warming them.

    hopefulheal, yes I get tingling in my hands sometimes. It's really annoying. Haven't figured out what to do about that.

  • hopefulhealing
    hopefulhealing Member Posts: 581
    edited February 2015

    Thanks for the imput on the tingling in hands. I use the computer mouse all day for work and wonder is it carpal tunnel? Is it MS as I have had balance problems since last April. Heaviness in my arms. It is really hard to separate out what is Aromasin and what is other stuff. My joints seem to cycle in and out as far as pain but for the last couple of months have been very painful. I have to take Ativan to sleep since starting on the Aromasin. I went to years without sleeping at night and finally gave in and said I have to have something as like most of you I work full time. I have been on over 2 years of Tamoxifen and almost 3 years of the Aromasin. I think my Oncologist is going to want to take me off in March or April when I see her and I am afraid to stop it.


  • ndgrrl
    ndgrrl Member Posts: 645
    edited February 2015


    Hi everyone. 

    I am 46 and have been on Tamoxifen for a year and half but on March 3 I will be having my ovaries out along with fixing a hernia.  Some reason my ovaries decided to become large, one is the size of a baseball, other is a bit smaller. Some say Tamoxifen causes this others say no. grrrr.. I hate conflicting doctors.  Anyway I have to stop Tamoxifen a week before surgery and will stay off a month and then he wants to switch me to an AI.  I have gotten used to the Tamoxifen side effects though the sleepiness gets a bit much. I am scared of the new side effects and not sure if I should try to reason with my Oncologist to stay on Tamoxifen or just go with what he suggests.  UFFF..

  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 4,671
    edited February 2015

    nd, good luck and do not be fearful of the AL, just finished my 5 years and yeah, my doc says SE of the AL is much less than Tamoxifin so hang in lady

  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 923
    edited February 2015

    I do not have any SEs, thankfully, from Aromasin, but I just read about this new clinical trial for ER+ women taking AIs who experience joint pain and other SEs. They are enrolling women now, so those of you with SE's might want to check it out:

    Researchers seek postmenopausal women with hormone-positive breast cancer for a clinical trial exploring whether daily doses of an antidepressant lessens pain related to the use of hormonal therapies, when compared to women who take no pain medicines.

    In this study, postmenopausal women are women who have not had their period for at least 12 months because of menopause or removal of the ovaries or uterus. Women who had their uterus removed and have 30 mIU/ML or higher of the hormone FSH in their blood are also considered menopausal.

    http://www.lbbc.org/Understanding-Breast-Cancer/Cl...


  • bluemnm
    bluemnm Member Posts: 869
    edited February 2015

    Rettemich, I use a mixture of 3 drops of peppermint oil with equal amounts of coconut oil (you can use olive oil too). I feel that it is both a warming and cooling sensation almost like icy hot. It really has helped my pain in my ankle a lot. I hope you find something that works for you.

  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 4,671
    edited February 2015

    Blue, I am going to look for the peppermint oil, worth a try

  • rettemich
    rettemich Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2015

    Blue, thank you so much I am going to try it. I am so sick of pills. Oh I just remembered I think I have some peppermint oil and I know I have coconut oil. LOL Off to make a concoction.

  • songbird68
    songbird68 Member Posts: 127
    edited February 2015

    Hi nd, we were dx same time at same age(bad thing to have in common, I know). I just want to add my support to you while you are facing another op. Please don't be scared of aromasin. You can always try it and see if it suits you. As proudtospin says, the SE's are not as bad as tamox.

    Congratulations on your 5 years proud!.

    :)

    x x


  • Hope50
    Hope50 Member Posts: 76
    edited February 2015

    I'm a newbie to Aromasin. Been on it about a month. I have horrible insomnia. Knee and ankle pain. If only I could sleep some it would help. Any suggestions? I've tried many things and still struggling. What time of day does everyone take their pill?

  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 923
    edited February 2015

    I take mine at 5 p.m. No particular reason why...I was just told to take it at the same time every day.

    I've found Melatonin to be helpful, but a therapist today told me I am taking too much. I need to cut back to 1.5 mg or less - the smallest dosage possible. Plus I'm learning about sleep hygiene - getting into a routine you follow every night before bedtime. For me, it's making a cup of chamomile & mint tea, getting into comfy jammies, watching Jimmy Fallon, reading if I'm not sleepy by then.


  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited February 2015

    Hope50 I take mine in the morning. At times I too have used Melatonin. I have also found using a sleep mask helps and staying off the computer before I go to be. (Oops.Not behaving tonight).

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited February 2015

    Ditto to lago. I take 5 mg of Melatonin each evening, at least 1 hr before bed. Better if 2 hrs before. Can't sleep w/o a mask, though I'd love to not need it.

    Blue light from the computer, personal digital devices and tv screens will keep you awake. It's blue light that sets your bio clock in the morning. Those with SADD and depression use blue light therapy in the morning to ease both during the winter months. It works amazingly well. Been there. Done it. Now only need to turn on my laptop with my morning coffee.

    Pain can cause insomnia. It's important to get that under control to help.

  • songbird68
    songbird68 Member Posts: 127
    edited February 2015

    I started off taking it at night but I would wake up in the early hours with agonising(and I'm not exaggerating) arm, wrist and hand burning pain and numbness.

    Rather than stop aromasin, I tried taking it in the morning and so far no pain. I don't get it?

  • ndgrrl
    ndgrrl Member Posts: 645
    edited February 2015

    Thanks everyone nice to know SE might not be as bad as I dread.

    Song, why did they take you off Tamoxifen?  I am being taken off because my ovaries will be removed. 

     

    So what is Femera?  I am not sure what the new med he is going to put me on is called.


     

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited February 2015

    ndgrrl: www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/aromatase_inhibitors

  • songbird68
    songbird68 Member Posts: 127
    edited February 2015

    Hi nd, I went on to aromasin because I had the ooph.

    :)

    x x

  • ndgrrl
    ndgrrl Member Posts: 645
    edited February 2015


    Thanks for all the advice, one thing I have noticed so far since the MO had me go off Tamoxifen before my surgery is that my  head is clearer off that drug.  Does an Al also make your head feel foggy? I felt half asleep on Tamoxifen and I found I had no energy and didn't care if I did the things I used to.  UFF- Drugs!!

  • elainetherese
    elainetherese Member Posts: 1,635
    edited February 2015

    Just started Aromasin today after getting my first shot of Zoladex. I'll have to read this thread to see what to expect. My MO thinks that I may be in for some serious hot flashes; she swears that some of her patients take their pills at night and just sleep through their night sweats. Really? I don't think I could just sleep through night sweats!

  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 923
    edited February 2015

    I may be in the minority here, but I've never had problems with hot flashes. The first time around was like that for me, too. Easy peasy. Guess I'm lucky that way. But I do occasionally read that there are some things you can do for hot flashes. That's one thing they can fix. You might want to ask your doc if you have any issues.

  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 4,671
    edited February 2015

    me too, only some night sweats when I sent into menopause and while on the AL, a few nightsweats but nothing much

  • songbird68
    songbird68 Member Posts: 127
    edited February 2015

    I was really tired and fatigued on tamoxifen, but not on aromasin. :)

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited February 2015

    Aromasin is not too bad for hot flashes imho. But, night sweats are part of the deal unfortunately. Ugh.

    I do get more tired from this drug or maybe it is because I am turning 60 in a few weeks and still want to feel like I am 20...LOL

  • songbird68
    songbird68 Member Posts: 127
    edited February 2015

    i take gabapentin and it stopped the night sweats and hot flashes.

    60 is the new 40 :)xx

  • elainetherese
    elainetherese Member Posts: 1,635
    edited February 2015

    Well, it's Day #2, and I haven't noticed anything yet..... Starting Herceptin again has had a bigger impact on my life -- my BMs are looser and have that tell-tale chemical odor to them.

    I was wondering if I would get more hot flashes because I'm doing Zoladex to put me into menopause. (I've been in chemopause since chemo last fall, but I'm technically premenopausal.) We shall see....

  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 278
    edited February 2015

    ElaineTherese, not to be discouraging, but when I get the night sweats they wake me up because I'm soaking wet and then get cold. I take my examestane in the morning with my other meds. When I was on Arimidex I took it at night because it gave me foggy brain but the examestane (Aromasin) does not do that to me. I seem to go in cycles when I get the flashes, come to think of it I haven't had any in recent weeks. I've been on AI's for almost a year.....6+ months on anastrazole/Arimidex and now 4 months on examestane (Aromasin). Makes me optimistic that some of the side effects are going away! Except the wrist and ankle pain have been screaming the last couple of days, probably due to the cold weather.

    Martha

  • raindeer1217
    raindeer1217 Member Posts: 18
    edited February 2015

    hello, joined this discussion as I just started exemestane, (Aromasin) in addition I am getting a monthly injection of leuprolide. Is anyone

    Else getting this combo? The Aromasin SE are minimal but the luprone shot is kicking my ass. Hoping my body adjusts, not sure I can keep dealing with the SE.

  • elainetherese
    elainetherese Member Posts: 1,635
    edited February 2015

    RhodyMMM -- If I do have night sweats, I'm quite sure that I won't sleep through them, either. I'm a light sleeper to begin with! That's why my MO seems so overoptimistic. She keeps prescribing Ativan like that's going to help me sleep through the sweats. We shall see.

    Ugh, joint pain for you -- sorry to hear that! But, better to be forewarned.....

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.