Life on aromasin
Comments
-
Wow, two days and already MAJOR issues. I ended up in the ER last night with major shortness of breath. They checked me from head to toe. Chest x-ray, CT Scan, blood work, urine...everything! The ONLY thing that is new or different is the Aromasin/extemestane. WTF? How can this be? I also had heart palpitations for a short time last night too which is when I finally told my DH that we had to go to the ER. I NEVER go to the ER if I can help it. NEVER. That is how scared I was. Anyone else experience any shortness of breath or heart palpitations? Also, how can this happen in just two days?
I am still short of breath and it has been 17 hours since I took that pill. Ugh...now what do I do? Is it the steroid? They gave me a breathing trmt last night and that did not even help.
Then they suggested that it was possibly an anxiety attack which is no doubt possible but it just came so out of the blue. We were heading upstairs to bed last night about 10:45 when suddenly I had a hard time catching my breath. It was not from the stair climb as it was about 10 minutes after crawling into bed. I don't get it. I am at a total loss. Going to call the MO and see what she says. UGH!
0 -
April I beliee that is a SE from this miserable tiny little pill, I would call u'r Dr. But good thing u did go to the ER it does help mentally I think. And it could be some anxiety just thinking about the SE's could cause that type of anxiety and once it starts it is very hard to unstop it. See what the Dr. says and if u don't have any meds for anxiety drink a couple of cups of warm milk--I know that sounds stupid but it really helps. Let us know what Dr. says and let us know how u r feeling. That stupid pill is so smll I can barely see it but wham it does some kind of job on us.
0 -
Anxiety can really do numbers on us. My mother was prone to anxiety attacks. Each time, when one overcame her, she thought she was having a heart attack and called 911. That always resulted in a trip via ambulance to the ER. They would check her out and send her home. She finally got anxiety meds which helped tremendously.
Once when I was going to a statistics test during graduate school I was so anxious I literally went blind in my left eye! After I settled down to taking the test the "blindness" slowly cleared up. Ugh, that memory still makes me shudder. Guess I inherited my mom's anxiety.
Anyway, this is just to say that it might be something other than the Aromasin. It does seem a little soon to be experiencing such extreme se's but who knows.
0 -
Had my little vacation, feeling so much better, started back on the pill from hell. . .Will see if this is the root of my blackest depression or if I need to seek help (which I probably do but don't have any room on my dance card for another doc)
0 -
Oh April, how frightening ugh!
Good that you went to ER and will speak with your MO ASAP. Not sure about SEs, we're all so different and our bodies and minds have been through so much these past months.
Still there's something about being at the end of active treatment, rad fatigue, and the PTSD shell shocked warrior climbing out of the trenches trying to catch breath and feeling body to see if all is still there. And everyone expecting you to be done, cured, and ready to carry on as if this c is just a little blip in life.
Be gentle and kind to yourself. Anxiety can get the better of us...we are so vulnerable right now. Breathe, it's a tiny pill...give yourself a hug...80% of what we fear never happens. Expect the best...and when you are ready try again.
(((Hugs)))
Cindy0 -
Absolutely Yorkiemom!
I had my first anxiety attack a couple of months ago and was terrified. While being on my computer I suddenly got an intense dizzy spell and my heart started racing. Felt like I was going to pass out. Forced myself to take my BP and it was 202 over 102.!. Didn't want an 8 hr wait in the ER so called my neighbor who is an RN. She sat with me until my BP had gone down to 180 or so and called my cardio who said to take another BP pill and come in to see him that day.
Anyway, after seeing him and being put on a 12 hr. monitor I was fine.
I thought the incident was caused by a new BP medication which I had been on for about 2 weeks, but it is still a mystery. But my first thought was, wouldn't an adverse reaction happen right away? But I guess not.
0 -
April - I had pretty strong heart palpitations while taking Aromasin - scared the heck out of me. After I stopped, they increased and continued for about 2 weeks! Had an ekg - and complete blood work up - all normal.
I had beyond joint stiffness, but pain - that kicked in around the 3 month mark and got worse the next 4 months. Please ladies, keep a log or journal of your SEs. I didnt realize how bad I had gotten until I sat down to write a list of what I was experiencing. You just kind of take it thinking you can handle it, and go about your day. When it got so bad that I was on the couch, unable to do anything.....fatigue and depression kicking in.....I knew I couldnt do it anymore. THe heart palps scared me more than anything as the SEs listed for the drug are stroke and heart attack. My Onc was not concerned at all and attributed all SEs to something other than Aromasin. I had to go to my family doctor to request labs and to talk to someone who took me seriously. I reported all my SEs to the FDA drug site, knowing my Onc would not.
Glad you went to the ER and got it checked out. Take care0 -
It just occurred to me tha it is not likely the aromasin that caused the shortness of breath, but the rads. I had a one week, dose dense protocol and unfortunately, they couldn't keep my left lung completely out of the field although they said it was very minimal. My guess is that it was less minimal than they thought it was. Researching this online, it sounds about right. Ugh!
0 -
Oh Aprik I'm so sorry for all of this for u. Everything can be minimal to them, but not to us sometimes. I'm glad u figured it out. How do u feel today> Are u better???? I truly hope so- I so hate the unknown
0 -
I guess minimal radiation is like having a "little" cancer. hahaha
0 -
Yeah seabeal, to the docs, DCIS is just a "little cancer" but not to me..and not to my boob..lol
I am a little better this morning. Did not take the aromasin yesterday just in case it was what caused this. I am still having some shortness of breath (last night it was terrible actually) and so it seems to me since I did not take the aromasin yesterday that the culprit is most likely the rads and that my lungs took a big enough hit that it is causing me to have this issue. Upon reading about this, apparently my surfactant levels may have been affected (the stuff that helps your lungs to work) and this is reversible with time. I hope so. It feels as though I am gasping for air and can't breathe in deeply and it is a horrible feeling. They usually treat this with prednisone (that is what I read) so I will find out on Monday. I am calling my MO and my RO and see what they say. My PCP is not the one that would decide this I suspect.
Today seems a tiny bit better, but still struggling to take in deep breaths. This is one of my worst nightmares as I am totally paranoid about breathing deeply and so I think my paranoia when I can't catch a full breath adds to this and makes it worse
So, we shall see who decides what. Will keep you posted. Until then, no aromasin for me.
0 -
I finished one year on Aromasin last month. Prior to that I had one year on Tamoxifen. My SEs on Tamoxifen were worse for me -- huge weight gain (30 pounds), joint pain and horrible hrry ot flashes and night sweats. I've stopped gaining weight but can't shake those extra pounds that I piled one. Now just have joint pain in my fingers occasionally first thing in the morning, but once I make fists a few times it seems to go away. And hot flashes are not nearly as bad, but maybe I was already hot-flashed out.
Sorry to hear so many others are having issues on Aromasin. Isn't is so hard to figure out what is causing what as we are all so different and have been through such a variety of treatments/combinations of surgeries/chemo/radiation along with age differences and other medical issues that come into play.
0 -
Dang it, hit the wrong button and have to start over. Okay Ladies, trying to figure somethings out. Terribly sorry at the topics here.
Lately I've had several bouts of vomiting bile. Mostly just bile and copious amounts. I mean when you think you're done, can't even leave the room without more happening and the flood gates were opened. Gallbladder was removed in 1999 so it's not that. Any one else get this with Aromasin?
Also, seems to be some sort of female thing going on. Doesn't seem like yeast infection at all but definitely some other light foul discharge. I'm thinking it's involved with no circulating estrogen.
Thanks for the patience.
0 -
Galsal I know that is a SE bit I would tell u'r Dr. about it--call if u have to-They might change u or give u another meds for that, or the ever popular test. And odor, don't get me started on that one--This is my theory only---some women --not all-- but some (me) have an oder that I never had before and I'm clean just doesn't stay the same like it used to --I've had a full hysterectomy so ??? U know when u eat garlic and they say it comes out of u'r pores--to me whatever this is comes out of my pores and elsewhere. So IDK any answers just that all this happens.
0 -
I have had some GERD but not the bile issue? My doctor put me on Protonix to control the acid and that works for me. I also asked my GYN about odors and she said (in my case) it was vaginal dryness so she gave me a prescription to use and works very well, no more issues with that, now the sore joints and weight gain are another issue, darn:)
0 -
Thanks!
0 -
Hello everyone,
I have been on Aromasin a little over a year. I was wondering if anyone is having trouble with their nails. The tips of both my fingers and toes are starting to turn dark right at the top of the nail plate. I noticed it around 3 months ago and its getting darker. Thanks in advance for any input.
Love and Blessings0 -
srb162,
Only on Aromasin 7 months, but I've not had nail problems. I had toe nails lift after chemo, though. Wonder if anyone else has had this.
0 -
I haven't even back on aromasin for a full week after taking a short vacation and the depression is back like gang busters. I took them out of my pill box again and will wait until I see my MO before I start back again. Hopefully a change in antidepresant will be enough to take care of the depression but I know I can't live like this, I've cried all day while out running errands. It's a miracle someone didn't call the crazy squad to take me away.
0 -
Seabeal I am so sorry this is happening to u, I have some days like that but not alot---u have to get this taken care of being depressed is awful and for phyaical health too. Please call, don't wait.
SRBL Naisl--I could write a book--2 of my nail now are a little off their bed and I keep short, my toenails are black on the ends, ugly--no sandals. I have always had soft, split nails but now they are long and hard as a rock I don't get it.I'm of course happy with my food nails but still puzzled and don't understand why just 2 are all screwed up--I lost my toenail during chemo and they grew back sideways and my fingernails are not longer black tho. I thin (my theor) this stuff does all kind of crap to u similiar but not as intense as chemo so get on board and tell us anything u want---But I would call the Dr. just to let them know, their might be a solution and if there is tell us. LOL
0 -
April, sound like an anxiety attack and those are horrid. The palpitations can be scary too and set it off.
I get palpitations. I'm on arrimidex again and it's awful. It's been about 5 weeks and the pain and depression are back big time. I want to cry all day, I'm going to have to go off of it,
When I went through menopause I got so many palpitations I went to a cardiologist. If the palpitations go away when you excercize, they are nothing. If they say you are ok I would take a walk when you get that feeling. If you are hyperventilating and that is causing the shortness of breath it should go away with excercize, Hyperventilations causes too much oxygen (or is it CO2?), i believe, in your blood. Walking will use it up and regulate your breathing,
These pills suck,,,big time! Good luck and I hope it's "nothing" ie. anxiety..not really "nothing".
0 -
Tim I know what u mean also hyperventalation is awful==also have a paper ag u breath in and out of it get the air in u back to normal, then excercise. I still take meds for that and it does work for me and I've been lucky having the meds--I'm not fighting anything anymore I want meds to make everything easier on me. I'm such a wimp and i don't care. LOL
0 -
When i got palpitations, my Onc took me off it immediately. Stroke and heart attack are noted SEs of this drug.
0 -
I had afibs when diagnosed with cancer and when I began the Aromasin they got worse. Because of that and many other crippling (literally, it hurt to walk) SEs I stopped taking it
When I get the palpitations I force myself to keep going and do my regular routine. That usually works and they will go away within an hour or so. However I had an episode which woke me up at 3:30 a.m. I was so sleepy I just forced myself to go to sleep again. When the dogs woke me up at 5:30 I was back to normal rhythm.
I am on 3 medications for the afibs, but still get them. They sure are a nuisance that's for sure and sometimes they will cause a panic attack. It is like my brain is saying "This is it, you are dying!" and I have to force myself to drink some water, deep breathe, and turn on the TV - anything for distraction.
Hope this helps for anyone who has palpitations. Oh, one other thing, I too find that if I do some type of exercise it will help the palpitations. It is as if the brain is saying "Oh, she is exercising, I guess we need to get the heart under control." LOL
0 -
Dogs u said u were on meds for that??? but u still get them and u told u'r /dr.s? Did they ever discuss shocking u;r heart or is that something that is to extreme to do for u.?
0 -
There is something called an ablation where they go in and sort of "laser" the pathways. It is not a laser, but something like that.
However, it doesn't always work or it works for a while and then the palps come back. It can also cause a stroke because you have to be off the blood thinners while they do it.
I knew someone who had it done and he got a stroke the day after surgery! Luckily it only affected his speed so after months of speech therapy he was ok.
So unless the palpitations become constant, I don't want to get the ablation.
I do know though, that the afibs are hard on the heart and weakens it and of course with the blood not going to the organs in a normal fashion, that is not good either. I once had an episode that lasted off and on for 30 hours. The cardio was not happy with me and said I should have gone to the ER where they inject you with something which puts you back in normal rhythm.
I have a neighbor who goes to the ER every time she has an episode ---but that means hours and hours in there. They won't let you go until your doctor calls them back and if it is in the middle of the night? You can see why I have only done it one time----
I had a month long monitor -- and that showed I had them more often than I realized, but they are still not constant, so that is good.
0 -
Dogs yea i know about an ablation, I don't blame u--But my GF was getting some kind of a shock thingy which sounds scary but it would last for a while but the last one didn't las long so last week she got a pacemaker and she said the operation was simpe with some soreness with her arm so I don't know in the long run if it's good or not--But I do know I feel bad for u, cuz they are awful to have-but I hve to tell u this stupid story--My dad had afib for a few years, and went to work early and turned off all the power to work on something --with a sign say do not turn on power--he was an electrician for a big compsny---anyway someone else cam in and turned it on--my dad flew acroos the room and thank God he was all right but he never had Afib again and all the Drs. could figure out it was that shock---I don't recommend this hahaha but it's strange what things do.
0 -
Oh my gosh, what a story-----your poor Dad. Glad he was ok.
Pacemakers are not for afibs -for some reason. I wish they had something that would just automatically put you in normal rhythm whenever it sensed something wrong. Isn't that what pacemakers do?
I also have a borderline left bundle block. Now a bundleblock is something you might need a pacemaker for, but mine is really mild. It just means that the signal the heart sends from the top makes a slight detour on its way to the bottom of the heart which causes a very small pause.
I will ask tomorrow when I go for my blood check why pacemakers can't be used for afibs.
0 -
Camillegal,
I only had darkening during chemo and it cleared up not long after. I think its the pill that's doing it. There's no pain involved so I'll just let my doctor know at my next visit. Thanks for sharing.0 -
Beau, I'm interested in the switch from Aramidex to Aromosin...about to try it after 8 weeks of arthritic SE's and joint pain
Anyone else experienced with this?
xo
PS The nail thing was from Taoxtere in my case
0
