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Life on aromasin

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Comments

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited September 2012

    Hi Mybee---I think 'r riht, exceot I'e never gotten used to them to blend in wih sleep. And as soon as I get a new drug it seems o add to he problem. and nothing helps my chronic diarreha, nohin and I'm more upset about tha cuz it keeps me from goin places ALL the time---I'll o out sleepy, achy, headachy whateer, bu no a cuz here is no warnin and I always wer depends--my mom didn't even wear hem and my diet has nohin to do wih it and I take he hihest dose I can ake for his,---(sorry I just had it now and I've o lots of plans for the weekend and right now I'm really aggrevated) did mean o hrow it at u...and my keys stick on my computer LOL

  • hopefulhealing
    hopefulhealing Member Posts: 581
    edited September 2012

    camillegal it is ok to vent here. That is why we are here :) The side effects impact us in so many ways and people see us from the outside and think we are peachy and we are not!

  • mybee333
    mybee333 Member Posts: 672
    edited September 2012

    This is from another thread.  I thought it was of interest.

    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-06/breast-cancer-link-to-paxil-drug-category-found-in-antidepressant-research.html

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited September 2012

    Thanks Mybee---my typing is sos so bad today I'm going to rest awhile.

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 677
    edited September 2012

    I stopped sleeping thru the night in my mid fifties.  Always get up at least once.  I think it is just part of getting older---

  • SusannahW
    SusannahW Member Posts: 375
    edited September 2012

    Thanks to all who responded. I'm starting aromasin next week, will let you know how it goes.

  • SusannahW
    SusannahW Member Posts: 375
    edited September 2012

    Phxsunshine, yes, we love living in Southampton, moved here4 years ago. I'm so eager to get the medication issue resolved so that I can go back to the life I love.

    Susannah

  • mybee333
    mybee333 Member Posts: 672
    edited September 2012

    Here is another interesting piece regarding adherence to antihormal therapy.  It is long.  At the end they give these stats:

    longitudinal databases found that adherence to adjuvant anastrozole therapy decreased from between 69% and 78% at year 1 to between 50% and 68% at year 3. 

    http://www.cancernetwork.com/breast-cancer/content/article/10165/2077056T

    The authors recommend that Onc.s try all the different AI's in order to work around the side effects and improve compliance with treatment. Switching to another AI may be an alternative for women who are nonadherent because they are unable to tolerate the side effects of a particular AI.

    So anyway.....we are not alone in our struggles with these medications, unfortunately, as they are so beneficial.

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 677
    edited September 2012

    It says "Article not available"

  • mybee333
    mybee333 Member Posts: 672
    edited September 2012

    http://www.cancernetwork.com/breast-cancer/content/article/10165/2077056

    try this.

  • mybee333
    mybee333 Member Posts: 672
    edited September 2012

    Let's see if this will post.

    http://www.cancernetwork.com/breast-cancer/content/article/10165/2077056

  • mybee333
    mybee333 Member Posts: 672
    edited September 2012

    The title of the article is : Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer

    I don't know why the link won't go.

    Authors are Rao, Cobleigh,  out of Rush University Medical Center, Chicago Illinois.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited September 2012

    Oh Cobleigh is my sisters Dr. I have to tell her about it, if she doesn't know already. She has an excellant reputation around here.

    I saw my cardioloist today gettin more labs, ad labs for my other Drs. that I see next week so we see how it all goes. so far OK.

  • kfs616
    kfs616 Member Posts: 4
    edited September 2012

    Hi All!! I have been taking Exemestane, the generic for Aromasin. My liver enzymes are elevated, not sure if this is from the drug or not. Has this happened to anyone else? I have an appt. with my Dr. this week, but was wondering if anybody else had the same problem? I have noticed since I have been taking this drug that I have these symptoms, not everyday, but I have had them... Fatigue, headaches, increased hot flashes, sleep probs., no energy, heart palp., depression, anxiety and also for the first time ever, pain with sex. I don't know if this is from the meds or just menopause and age, I am 55. It may be a combination of all these things. I do have an appt. for a liver US to see why enzymes are elevated. How are you all doing/feeling on this drug?

  • mybee333
    mybee333 Member Posts: 672
    edited September 2012

    I would say your symptoms are caused by the uber-menopause that is caused when one is prescribed these medications.  Used consistently estrogen becomes essentially non-existant in your body.  It is quite a shock to your system.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited September 2012

    kfs==I agree with Mybee. Tell u Dr. all these things when u see them. These drugs can be no fun for alot of us, sometimes some go away in time. We all react differently to all the chemos rads and meds--but one thing is pretty true we all react. So like I said please talk it over with u'r Dr. and let us know.

  • SusannahW
    SusannahW Member Posts: 375
    edited September 2012

    What time do all of you think is the best time to take your Aromasin to avoid sleep problems?



    Thanks, susannah

  • kfs616
    kfs616 Member Posts: 4
    edited September 2012

    Thank u all, your input was much appreciated! Will keep you posted. Kai

  • ptdreamers
    ptdreamers Member Posts: 639
    edited September 2012

    susannah, i take mine around 6PM after dinner. others take at noon or morning. You may have to experiment. just be sure to give it enough time to see how you react. i started in the morning, tried noon and found current schedule best. for me it was joint pains that i can pretty much miss because i'm sleeping. otherwise i started having discomfort about six hours after taking. good luck. still only have use of one hand, so no caps, sorry.

  • SusannahW
    SusannahW Member Posts: 375
    edited September 2012

    Thank u pt dreamers, I will try taking it around 6.



    Had a hard time with femara so I'm looking for positive stories about Aromasina, so that I can make myself open the bottle and take a pill. Tales of good experiences with Aromasin would be much appreciated!



    Susannah

  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 1,032
    edited September 2012

    Susannah, I've been on it 9 months and haven't had difficult SEs. There have been some, but they're easily dealt with. You can do it!

  • SusannahW
    SusannahW Member Posts: 375
    edited September 2012

    Thank you yorkiemom!

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited September 2012
    Oh Sussanah (like u haven't herd that before) I'm glad u got a positive answer from yorkiemom.Laughing
  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 135
    edited September 2012
    Kfs616, when I first started on exemestane my liver enzymes were up also, my Onc said the meds can do that, to wait and repeat, which they did and then they were fine.  Maybe just an adjustment, not sure.  Everything else is soooo from the meds unfortunately.  Although I have to say, its getting better for me, or I've just adjusted to my new lifestyle.  Except for the sex thing Frown
  • mybee333
    mybee333 Member Posts: 672
    edited September 2012

    Gosh  Ginger.  I think we mentioned this before but our diagnosis are almost identical.  I got my call that I had breast cancer on April 6th, 2011, called my ob. about my suspiciious lump on 3/24/11.  I am sorry to hear about the sex thing.  That is a big deal.  It is minimized so frequently but it is a tremendous loss, I'm sure temporary, but still.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited September 2012

    No One has been here lately--Well I ave been on my 2nd dose of antibiotics for a silly sinus infection and I still can't sleep well at nite and it's getting cooler (nice) but my bones are aching. Now I saw this and anyone who lives in my climate (cold and snowy) Illinois can do theis around the holidays. I tink it's adorable so when I can't sleep I'll be doing this. LOL

  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 1,032
    edited September 2012
    Camille, that's adorable! I'm going to try it! Thanks! Smile
  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited September 2012

    Oh and it won't cost a fortune either. hahaha

  • rakulynda
    rakulynda Member Posts: 151
    edited September 2012

    Hi ladies - I have a question for everyone on Aromasin. I've been on the little white pill about 4 months now and wonder if anyone has experiened a general feeling of being unwell. It's hard to descibe, just feel a little "icky" most of the time. Gabapentin took care of the night sweats but this feeling is new. Maybe it's the lingering effect of the Navelbine I just came off of? Any ideas would be so helpful 'till I'm able to see onc. Oct. 10.

    Thanks!

  • rakulynda
    rakulynda Member Posts: 151
    edited September 2012

    Hi ladies - I have a question for everyone on Aromasin. I've been on the little white pill about 4 months now and wonder if anyone has experiened a general feeling of being unwell. It's hard to descibe, just feel a little "icky" most of the time. Gabapentin took care of the night sweats but this feeling is new. Maybe it's the lingering effect of the Navelbine I just came off of? Any ideas would be so helpful 'till I'm able to see onc. Oct. 10.

    Thanks!

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