Life on aromasin
Comments
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I don't eat when I take it, but my dinners are usually around 7. I take the pill around 8:30. I occasionally need my heavy duty antihistamine meds which put me right to sleep and haven't had any problems so far.
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I take mine at lunch.....as Im doing green smoothies for breakfast and its not enough of a full stomach to ward off feeling sickly afterwards from pills.......Bedtime - well on the weekend Im usually enjoying my glass of wine, and dont want to take it then either....
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I usually have a bedtime snack and feel that is good enough. If I take it too early, say at dinner, I can't fall asleep. I have taken Klonopin for years to help fall asleep as I have fibromyalgia. I don't notice that the pill makes me drowsy. I have tried taking it at diff. times of the day and didn't notice it effecting me that way. I know that I don't sleep well with it. I am usually tossing and turning, sometimes waking up on and off. Usually feeling pretty happy too, so don't know why I get so down during the day. It's an odd pattern. Kira - I know what you mean about the eating out. Shayne - I stopped with all my alcohol, to lose weight actually, and haven't noticed a change regarding how the Aromasin effects me. I think of it really as a long acting pill, but I don't know if it really is. I think it's got about a 72 hr. life, but I'm not sure where I heard that. I think I slept better with a little wine, probably because alcohol increases your estrogen levels, but I knew I'd never lose a lb. if I kept with a glass or two of wine several times a week.
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I dont drink at all during the week......and not every weekend either. Just occasionally I have a glass of wine or a beer with friends......maybe once or twice a month. But its always on the weekend nights.....so dont want to mess up what time I take it.... Ive had to give up coffee, dairy and sugar......id like to have one thing in my life I can enjoy. . ..
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Not really new but haven't posted on this thread though I've been lurking since starting the aromasin (July 18 - so I'm a real newbie to this therapy)
Survivor - I fill my pill holder for a week of AM/PM medications (its a big box!) and leave by my bed for PM and by my toothbrush for AM but still sometimes just forget. At first I put the aromasin in my pill box but after a melt down due to multiple excuses but all related to this lovely disease I took them all out and put them back into the bottle with the thought that I just might not take them which would be stupid as I'm 98% ER+. I haven't missed a dose but the act of choosing to take them by removing each dose from the bottle makes me feel like I'm the one in control - not the CA. I guess whatever it takes!
Shayne - I take my aromasin and ambien at night together and feeling too sedated has not been an issue - still can't sleep!
Did I get you two mixed up? Thats another thing since I received my dx its like my boobs killed half my brain!
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does anyone know if grapefruit is contraindicated while taking this drug?
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The only thing I know it is on cholesterol meds ???? no grapefruit and I really enjoy that fruit. I never noticed on the rest but I don't eat it anyway anymore---but it's always supposed to say on LARGE letters about grapefruit or anything else not to do.
I'm still all messed up with my sleep, it's 13 months (??) now and it's aggrevating--If I have nothing to do the next day I just go with it--but this week I was busy and I thought I'd sleep better --no--I'm going out to dinner tonite at 6PM now sounds fine but I have to get my energy and that's usually my ugh time I don't want to look like I'm falling asleep--so my whole day is wrapped around feeling ok. It never was like that before My sister is going too (she's stagIV) so we're both trying to fiure out how to not be tired at that time, cuz we're meetin my one brother's new girlfriend---His wife of 50 yrs died a few yrs ago--so my sister and I both have chemo brain and ddon't feel well all the time--so we know we're going to be stupid to her. believe me we know so this should be interesting---we have to sit next to each other (always) and kick each other if we're sounding off) Both our feet swell at that time of day and when we o out we're all bruised on our kankles afterwards--then u see u'r Dr. and it's oh u were out with u'r sister again. OMG we are goofy good thing we laugh about it tho. My whole point is I'm not sleeping now 2AM so my whole day will be off. again ever since Aromasin--4 more years I have to go. Sleep deprevation another little thing cancer does.
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Hey, I have now been on the aromasin for just over 7 weeks. I also have the stiffness in my fingers and feet when I get up in the morning but it only takes a couple of minutes to walk and stretch it out. Some nights I wake up with pain in my feet, sometimes I get up and walk it out other nights I'm too lazy to get up and just put up with it. I take my pill at bedtime, no food. I also take half a sleeping pill with it. With this combination I sleep better than I have in years. I ran out of my sleeping pills 3 days ago and am only getting about 3 hrs. of sleep a night now. Was hoping it was the aromasin that was enabling me to sleep so well. NOT. Will be getting another prescription for the sleeping pills this week. I am very pleased with how I am feeling on the aromasin so far. What a huge difference from the Tamoxifen. What a great feeling of relief to find one I can tolerate so well!
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Hey, just wanted to add one more thing. My brain seems to be working a lot better on this drug compared to the Tamoxifen. Its like the fog has lifted! Another great benefit to finding the right drug!!
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JMW I'm so glad u tolerate this one---I wish we all could tolerate whatever is ivn to us. Like u said some pain, discomfort fine---and I' glad about u'r brain--that's a new one for mep--here's hoping it all stays good for u.
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Yes JMW - glad to hear things are going well. Hopefully will continue. That would be great!
So....here is my new plan. Exercise has helped me in the past with fibro pain tremendously, so I am going to make a commitment to walk 30 mins. in the a.m. and bike 30 mins. in the evening. During the school year i try to walk at lunch and that works nicely too. I'm going to see if that helps with the pain and mood. Walked this a.m. Mood was better. Toes a little achey but okay. I'll see if my knee (arthritis and injury) can handle the walking.
Will keep you posted.
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Sounds good mybee, u make it sound good too.
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Mybee, I started Zoloft for the irritability and it has helped. Something with no side effects, what a pleasure.
Has anyone had vision problems on Aromasin? it's easy to blame the new med, but it just started when I went on this drug. Getting foggy vision.0 -
Been trying to sleep for about 1 1/2 hrs. Finished my book. Now on laptop.....sigh.....
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Well her I am, I was exhausted and fell asleep around 11PM now 1AM wide awake--GRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Bogie I couldn't say about that I need to get to the eye Dr. anyway, cuz things are harder for me too, but I' way old so my glasses aren't strong enough.
I hope u'r sleeping by now mybbe
I went out to dinner tonite with my brothers and sister & spouses (theirs) we had a good time---home by 10PM LOL-=we used to close a place now we're home early.
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FISH OIL (OMEGA 3) at 2400 mg a day is a trial going on now to reduce joint, aches and pains from AI's. I started using them with switch from Arimidex and I don't have have the body stiffness and joint aches I did before. I'm not part of the trial but doing this on my own.
I keep all my pills in week (Mon- Sun) holders so I don't forget or take too many.
I still haven't figured out best time to take Aromisin. I am up late with Insomnia wheter I take it at night or in the morning. Then I have to nap and I'm exhausted during the day. Ugh.
Hugs,
Kat
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Katarina I did the fish oil for a while, I didn't notice anything except I was very thirsty had to have a lot of water. So I stopped that--Now I' on some script the Dr. gave me whatever??? and still no difference.
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Mybee....This thread is either so busy I kind of get lost at times or I'm just really slow! Either way, I look forward to seeing how exercise impacts you. It's something I am starting too but only walking 30 min a day. So many things come up that get in the way but I have to make it a priority for so many reasons....mainly just becoming stronger and hopefully I will see other benefits like better rest, feeling less stress from the good hormones that come with it and of course losing some of the weight I've gained through this process.
.....For my wrist pain, I mentioned trying the wrist band after reading kayb's post and it has helped tremendously. Thanks kayb.
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Do any of you ladies have low white blood cell counts since going on Aromisin?
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fondak -The morning walking is loosening up the morning stiffness and it seems to be helping my mood during the day, I think....so far. I have lost 6 lbs. in about 3 wks., through diet and exercise. It comes off a lot slower than when I was younger!!
I have had low white blood cell counts for years. Did it start with the fibro.? The thyroid issues, now resolved? Who knows?
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Hi mybee: Your post a couple of days ago inspired me to be more active. I started today with walking for about 30 minutes. Of course I slept too late as usual so it was already too hot (for me) when I got out there.
I'm crippled when I get out of bed in the morning -- not sure what to blame, I have plantar fasciitis along with underlying neuropathy/numbness from an autoimmune disorder that I was diagnosed with eight months before BC. The chemotherapy affected it and now I wonder if it's the Aromasin that's affecting it, or maybe it's a combination of the hot weather and lack of activity. My onc wanted to know if I would like to switch form the Aromasin to one of the other AIs and if not she wants me to see a neurologist.
And then there's the weight gain. I'm not blaming the Aromasin for that as I've only been on it for three months. Some of you complain of gaining five or ten pounds. In my case it's a whopping 30 pounds since I finished chemo. I started to gain even while on rads and before starting my two years on Tamoxifen. My theory is that chemo really messed up my metabolism and Tamoxifen contributed too. Then there's the fatigue and lack of energy making it harder for me to exercise. But I do know that when I exercise I feel a lot better.
One thing that has helped me is Livestrong at the YMCA. I did the 12-week program in the Spring. For anyone interested, you can check to see if there's a local YMCA offering it near you - LIVESTRONG at the YMCA Map. It didn't help me lose any weight but did introduce me to the gym (I'd never used one before) and the idea of easing in gradually to an exercise program.
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Mary - I do think the exercise is helping with the morning stiffness/crippled thing.
Tonite I didn't bike ride due to watching a movie with my daughter but I have been trying to do so every night since my post. I hope it helps with the depression. The swings of my moods just amaze me! It's got to be hormonal stuff. With weight gain it is so hard to tell what is doing what. Your pain and weight gain are probably a combination of a whole lot of things that would be almost impossible to sort out. There is just so much there. I found a supplement online that is supposed to help with depression and wean people off of their psychiatric drugs. Turns out, upon careful examination, that I'm already taking almost everything in it - I just need to increase a few things. So I am doing that too. I think the exercise helps with the fatigue too. If I not I can rest after exercise. I read new research the other day that said two 30 minutes of exercise is better than an hour as far as improving numbers - cholesteral, BP, etc. I think it's kind of like breaking bursts cardio with weights. When I return to work in the fall, my plan will be 20 minutes 3x a day; hoping to fit in a daily 20 min. lunchtime walk. I am concerned that if I sit at the computer all day, I will stiffen up horribly and be miserable.
I'm rooting for you!!
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Sitting in the onc waiting room yesterday helps give me a better perspective on the side effects of A.I.'s.
Sometimes its just heart breaking....
Ginger
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Hi and good morning, me, I take my aromasin in the morning after my small bfast..this morning, a banana and wasa crisp. Cant tell side effects of it really although I do have carpel tunnel that gets nasty by the end of a work week. I have the wrist braces for bad days
I am also a strong believer in swimming as I really think it helps in so many ways..as in flexibility, the lymphodemia swelling and for me, the general pissiness that I feel about this entire experience! So there! sorry but it does sure help me, I swim on weekends and do the gym 2 nights during the week
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Unfortunately, I can't find the website anymore and didn't save the information. I take the following: Maxi B Complex, Omega Fish Oils, Flex-a-min, Caltrate, Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin and Nails, D3, Magnesium and Caltrate. Some of these I have been taking less than the recommended amount due to expense but I am going to increase them due to my ongoing mood problems.
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Hi All -
First time on this topic, so bear with me! I started Tamoxifen after chemo and was on that for about 1 1/2 years. Because I was menopausal (since 1st chemo), doctor switched me to Femara. Now, I gained a TON of weight on Tamoxifen and that certainly didn't go away with Femara. But I got the fun and exciting side effects of joint pain, plantar faciatis, brain fog, moodiness, lack of energy, you name it I had it . . . Quit Femara when I started having heart issues. Honestly, I probably had some of those side effects on Tamoxifen as well, but I forget a lot of things these days. Don't remember how long on Femara. Maybe 5 - 6 months?
Had a PET/CT scan 12/2011 and, thankfully, all clear. However, Onc put the fear of God into me and convinced me to try Aromasin. I sobbed like a baby. No way, didn't want to take it or anything. He prescribed Wellbutrin (no way was I taking Effexor). I told him I thought there was a clear problem with Aromasin if you have to prescribe an antidepressant with it. Regardless, I think I started it in December.
At first, all fine and I thought I would be able to do it. My kids/husband seemed to like me better and I thank Wellbutrin for that. I gained a little weight, but not much more, still about 25 lbs over what I should be (I also thank Wellbutrin). Then the joint pain started up again, and pretty much all of the other side effects. Had Diverticulitis in March (maybe because I was constipated because of Aromasin? P.S. Lost about 12 lbs from Diverticulitis, but don't recommend it as a weight loss method). The kicker was when my hair started thinning out again. Not just a little. A lot. Plus, my eyesight is worse, my hearing is worse. I am 47 yrs old, but I have a lot in common with my senior friends.
Went on vacation with my family in mid-June. On the first morning, I went to take my Wellbutrin and Aromasin. Took the Wellbutrin and just decided not to take Aromasin. Figured I would give myself a vacation while I was on vacation. The problem is that I haven't taken it since. Everyday, I look at that bottle. I've even refilled the prescription, despite the fact that I haven't used up the last bottle. Pain and other se's are not gone completely, but they are much less. I almost feel like myself again. But since I am feeling so much better, I have started feeling guilty about not taking the Aromasin. Does that make sense? I haven't told my husband or anyone.
I don't know what to do. I love my life and I want to be here for a long time. But when the side effects are at their worst, I wonder why I am doing this. Quality over quantity. All sorts of justification. I have a 17 yr old son and a 14 yr old daughter. I want to be there for them. But they HATE ME on the hormonals. I am not patient, kind. Hell, I'm not even rational.
I don't even know why I am posting. I guess I am looking for encouragement or hope? How long can these side effects possibly last? Is there a hurdle I can get over? Is there a way to do this for another 2 years? Maybe I just want to tell someone and this is a safe place. I have read some studies that say that Grade 3 cancer is most likely to come back in the first 2 years and I am over that. I take biotin, Move Free (glucosamine), calcium, lutein, baby aspirin. I also take thyroid every morning. I just want to stop it all. (Not thyroid or Wellbutrin. They save my sanity.)
Is there any benefit to taking aromasin every other day? Or maybe taking it for a month or two and then taking a break? I might take it tomorrow. Maybe.
Thank you for allowing me to rant. I do feel a little better.
Laura
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Laura, I sympathize but don't understand your post. First of all, Aromasin tends to cause diarrhea, not constipation. But everybody is different and maybe something else brought this about. Second, the two side effects I have had from Aromasin are easily managed. I am on Effexor and don't get why you are opposed to it. I have had zero problems. I am less anxious and feel level headed. All good.
It's your body and your decision, but not taking the required medication isn't an option for me. I would literally have to believe my life was threatened more by the medication than the cancer for me to quit. I've got two daughters and three little grandsons. NO WAY will I do anything to compromise my time with them.
Best wishes and blessings, yorkie
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Hi Yorkie - my sister was on Effexor for awhile and her side effects were very bad. Then, she had a very hard time coming off it. I guess it wouldn't matter if you were going to stay on it, but she was in pain. I didn't want to risk it. That, and the part where it makes you gain weight. Wellbutrin seems ok so far, but I never thought I would need to be on an antidepressant. Kind of a shock to the way I've always seen myself and that is hard. But evidently it makes a difference because I have a better relationship with my husband and kids. And it seems to help motivate me for the day. Less lethargic. And I'm sure you're right about the diverticulitis. I have a tendency to blame aromasin for everything, when maybe that just has to do with diet.
I know mentally that I need to take the aromasin. It is just hard to make myself take that pill when I feel good NOW. Hard to explain. And I am afraid that I will lose the mental clarity or that the side effects will never go away. I got through the chemo, the surgeries, the setbacks without complaint because I knew it would go away. This doesn't feel like it's going away. My onc said that it is typically worse for women who are thrown into chemopause, as opposed to having already gone through it. He also said that it seems to benefit women who have the side effects more. I don't know. Not sure I buy that. I just get sad when I think about all of it coming back when I take that pill.
That is why I was wondering about taking it in smaller amounts. Less side effects? Still some protection but better QOL? Does it even work that way? Don't know. I know that the protection afforded by aromasin is statistically significant for women with my stage/grade/type of cancer. But in real person terms, it amounts to preventing recurrence in about 3 - 6/100 women (on top of the mastectomy and chemo). That is when I wonder if it is worth it. It certainly gives another perspective when you say that you would not do anything to compromise your time with your family. I absolutely cherish every moment with my family. I know I need to take it. But it is very difficult for me to take something that I know is going to make me feel bad and affects my ability to do almost anything. I might take it tomorrow. Maybe the break has been good and the side effects won't come back as hard.
Thank you for responding. It helps to see another perspective.
Laura
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Laura, no one but you can make the decision to take it or not. I am wondering though if it would be a good idea to talk again with your doctor and maybe try yoga or talk with a PT. I am about a month or so into Aromasin and am also very down and joint pain, muscle pain, hair thinning. I am waiting for 3-6 months to see how it all settles in. I think sometimes it takes a bit when you first start to see how you are really going to feel. Is there a nurse navigator you can talk to about how to manage the side effects? I do think you should talk to your husband about it. It will relieve your feelings of guilt I think.
Does anyone remember the company that produces the generic Aromasin with the exact indgrediants/fillers as the brand name? I am wanting to try that to see if it helps reduce the side effects and my mail in pharmacy says they can do it but have to have a script from the doctor explicitly requesting that one.
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Hi Hopeful - the company is Greenstone (Exemestane). That is what I have. I remember being glad that that was the generic stocked by my pharmacy.
I haven't done yoga in years! That might be nice. Thanks!
L
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