Life on aromasin
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ptdreamers, My left shoulder always hurts and sometimes it really hurts--I was always a side sleeper, now I'm still in my recliner cuz I can't lay on the sholder and when I movde it around u can hear all this cracking like it's bone on bone??? I never asked sbout it tho I feel like I'm always complaining about so many things. I fiured it's my arthritis that expanded thru my whole body while I was on chemo. And u'r right I'm sure u didn't hurt u'r shoulder by overusing it so something is happening.
Oh, I have a hernia around my belly button and my Dr. noticed it after chemo---I even laughed and said how did I get this from lifting the remote control? And I still have it--I never was fearful of operations til I had my last one--a simple 45 min. GB-going home the same day.. I ended up stay in the hospital for a while cuz they couldn't wake me from the anest. for hours. My surgeon was in my room after all the time and I lost my oxygen level.and I almost died not from cancer LOL but that scared me so bad I don't want to have another operation for anything--so the things that have scared me the most haven't been about cancer--it's other thins like now I'm seeing a Card. my blood levels are so low that they have to watch my heart that scares the hell out of me, again not the cancer but these other crazy thins are happening--so I'm a mess. LOL
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I had shoulder pain while on Aromasin. Never had it before - it came and went. Some nights I had trouble sleeping---but my worst pains were in the toes, hands and knees.
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My left knee and shoulder frequently "pop" or maybe it's "snap" painfully. PT and glucosamine have helped a lot but I still experience these things. I never had this problem before Aromasin.
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Good morning, everyone!!! Just chiming in to say, that going back on aromasin after a 5 month respite has been easier the 2nd time around. I had been on it for 6 1/2 years and my onc in Chicago said enough. Since moving to CA, my new onc put me back on it, saying that because I had one positive node, I still need the protection. The side effects have been minimal this time. I am exercising more and drinking tons of water. We will see. Have a great day!
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Thanks for those encouraging words, Kathy! I have been on Aromasin for less than a year and feel the SEs are definitely manageable and well worth the protection I get. When I started on this drug my MO said at least 7 years, maybe 10. Of course we don't know what kind of new treatments will be available during that time period, maybe, God willing, a CURE!
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Does anyone have any experience with Gabapentin? Went to Doctor today for shoulder pain. Took x-rays and will hear about that tomorrow or next day. Dr feels it is a nerve thing and hence the Gabapentin. Hope it works as I am at wit's end.
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Mods help, I somehow must be screwing up the screen, my pics. are too big, bit whe I copy them they're not so--could u please fix it and I'll try ot to do big pics. Thanks
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I take Gabapentin--have for years for a nerve problem. It does help; however, it will make you sleepy. I take 600mg. each night. I can function during the day if I have to take it, but not my usual self.
You do build up a tolerance and are not as sleepy but I suggest taking it only at night if possible. Hope this helps.
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Hi, Yorkiemom, so glad that your SE's have been manageable so far, hope it continues and stays that way!! Yes, a cure is hopefully on the horizon soon. Have a great day!
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Well, here's a little encouraging news. I'm in my sixth month of Aromasin (which I take with Afinitor) and it seems to me that my hand & foot stiffness and the general achiness are beginning to subside a bit. Yay for any good turns, right?! Now admittedly I do take Vicoprofen daily for bone mets pain so that may be masking some of the Aromasin achiness, BUT when I wake up in the morning with no pain meds left in my system from the day before, I am noticing that what I feel is pretty much all bone mets pain, and not so much the AI type of pain -- joint aches, wooden feet, clenched hands, all that. It just seems to me that lately it's just not as bad as it was over the summer.
It's also not anywhere NEAR as bad as it was on Femara, which I took for 18 months... that lovely stuff pretty much turned me into the Tin Man.
::creak, creak, creak::
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Yay Lulubee! That's wonderful, I'm so pleased for you. I'm hoping that Aromasin keeps being gentle on you and working the magic it's supposed to.
Trishxoxoxo
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Bgail84, I have to start and work my way up on the gabapentin. I am currently on 2 100mg tablets three times a day then thursday I go to 3 100 mg three times a day and then on Saturday I go to 4 100g three times a day. I stay on that if I am tolerating it and then I guess they will switch me to a 400mg tablet probably three times a day. If it helps that is what is important. See doctor next week to discuss how I am doing. x-rays showed degenerative disc disease and spondlylosis. The aromasin is probably not helping and I have to ask the Doctor and my oncologist if it is making things worse. If so I may opt out but I am 95% ER+ and 40%progesterone+
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that's what worries me, Trish. Already have a messed up spine.
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Had a bad day yesterday.......starting to think it is not worth being on this drug, if im going to feel fatigued and depressed. The thought of 5 years of this....does not seem worth it to me.
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Shayne--I know the feeling. I have found that exercise helps a lot. I am not even a year out from the drug and have felt that I would like to stop. Some days the fatigue won't let go. But then I think what it is suppose to be doing and keep hoping the SEs will improve. Hope you feel better.
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Wow, I sure understand about the fatigue and depression! I have been on aromasin for 7 years now!! I did take a break from it for 5 months, and that helped!!! Hang in there Shaye, bgail is right about the exercise!! Also, try to drink a lot of water!! It will get better as your body adjusts to it!!! I am hoping you feel better soon!!! Also, talk to your onc about the side effects you are experiencing. There are other inhibitors to use as well. Good luck with everything!!!!
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Thanks guys......yesterday was just a bad bad day. On top of it, hubby and I had an appt with our therapist......so wanted to cancel, but it ended up being v v good.
Usually I can push thru and exercise, yesterday wasnt one of those days. Id like to stay with Aromasin bc this is the only SE i have - no joint pain..... not sure what would be worse..... Kathy, has the fatigue and depression been thru out the 7yrs?? Not sure I can hang with it. And really not sure i want to take an anti depressant....but maybe I should re consider that. I dont know. Calling my onc today.....lets see if someone actually returns my phone call
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Oh, Shaye, I am so sorry, I meant to say that , no, the depression and fatigue were only at the beginning, about 6 months into taking the drug. These side effects began to taper off after the 6month mark. The depression definitely lifted and fatigue would come and go. Exercise was the key. I love to walk and it was my lifesaver. I don't like taking antidepressants either. I am so glad that you had a better day, it can be so frustrating, but know you can always rely on these wonderful ladies here for help and advice. We are all in this together. Have a great day, take a long walk and drink your water
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thanks Kathy - Im almost at the 6th month mark......Ill hang in until after that and see how I do.....thx
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Kathy, appreciate you're positive reports. After 1 month the gi problems have subsided, thanks to a prescription antacid, fatigue is still significant but slightly improved. Other than that so far so good.
Susannah0 -
Susannah, good to hear that your Gi problems have subsided. These inhibitors are a challenge, but doable. Hopefully, as the research continues, newer drugs will be discovered.
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Yikes, what happened to the alignment of this thread! What a mess!
Moderators... help! Pretty please.
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I saw my MO on Thursday an we talked about inability to cope and anxiety. She refilled my Ativan from chemo days and prescribed Paxil. No, I don't really like adding more drugs but if it helps me tolerate Aromasin then its a good thing. The SE's mean the Aromasin is working and that is good. I have many more years on this drug so I need to find a way to make it work. If I take a pill to help the side effects of a pill then so be it.
I have to figure out whether to take this in the AM or PM. This is my first day and I must say by about 4 PM I was ready for a nap. Maybe this will be a nightime for me - not sure yet.
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Ohio, I take my Aromasin in the morning. I do have fatigue during the day. But I sleep pretty well at night. As time goes on I think some of the fatigue will lessen. I've been on it for a little over 3 weeks now.
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The Aromasin hasn't been giving me fatigue. It's the Paxil I started today - I am struggling to stay awake.
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I've heard that fatigue from antidepressants goes away with time.
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That's good to hear. I did good all day but I can't wait until bedtime. Can't go to sleep too early or I won't make it through the night. Oh well, I bet I sleep good.
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I know what you mean-it's no fun to go to bed at 8 and wake up at 2 or 3 !
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Ohio... I hope it works for you. I am also seriously considering an anti-depressant. I see my onc in a month and want to talk about options. I'm tired of being crabby, uninterested and unmotivated. I don't know how much is related to the brand of AI specifically or the suppression of the estrogen. I hate adding in more drugs, but I also don't want to continue on as is.
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