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Life on aromasin

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Comments

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited June 2013

    Sick of pink--who isn't anyway---I think jpints and arthritic problems are pretty big on these meds for aot of women, but like I always say talk to u'r drs. and maybe they can give u something to help. I don't know really but over the last 2 yrs my body has been crushing with bone issues that I never had so.....

  • overjoyed4life
    overjoyed4life Member Posts: 92
    edited June 2013

    Sickofpink,

    I started out on arimidex and had to switch because of the horrble SE's. I was doing pretty good for around three months, then the same thing started all over again. I hope you have better luck than I. Everyone is different.

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited June 2013

    Sickofpink,

    I switched from arimidex to aromasin because of an eye SE.  Six months on first and seven on second now.  On arimidex I had lots of pain in my knuckles and thumb joint, and hot flashes.  Also was otherwise cold, but that was probably an SE from TC chemo.  Now on aromasin have pain in the larger joints of ankle and hip.  No more hot flashes.  All relatively well controlled with asprin 1x or 2x per day.  

  • mainegirl
    mainegirl Member Posts: 24
    edited June 2013

    Hi Ladies, I just started taking Anastrozole (generic Arimidix) and immediately had fever and chills - felt just like the flu.  It lasts about 10 hours each day.  I was wondering if anyone else had this and does it go away if you can stay on this drug for a while?  I'm not sure I can handle this?  Left call for Onc. this a.m. to ask about this side effect. I can handle joint pain, but flu symptoms every day is crazy.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited June 2013

    Mainegirl u have to ask the onc. chances are they will say something like that's unusual, try it for a little longer and see what happens. So good Luck=Let us know please, cuz all Drs. handle all of this differently as we all have different SE's Thanks

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 677
    edited June 2013

    I think all the hormonals cause joint/bone aches, but some less than others (depending on the individual) I have a friend who does great on Femara, but couldn't tolerate the others. I could not tolerate the Aromasin, but others do fine.  All you can do is try----

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited June 2013

    Dogs I see my Onc. soon and try something else I feel like aroasin has done some damage to me--well I blame that haha not cancer ,, it much easier on my brain. LOL

  • mainegirl
    mainegirl Member Posts: 24
    edited June 2013

    My Onc. said to stop taking it and come in next week. I guess she'll try another one.

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 677
    edited June 2013

    That's good!  Hope another one will work for you---

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited June 2013

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited June 2013

    Happy Dance for new meds.

  • ohio4me
    ohio4me Member Posts: 323
    edited June 2013

    Has anyone noticed a lack of focus while on Aromasin? I used to be a reader, could sit and read for hours. Once BC and treatment came my way it was hard to focus so I put reading aside. I'm almost 1.5 years from chemo and radiation and 1.5 years on Aromasin. I still have trouble sitting down to focus on reading a book. It's just not the seem as before.

    I'm wondering if the focus thing is hormone related, or if it's just life. I do stay focused on tasks at work and home life, it's just when I sit down to read I almost have to talk myself into staying focused on the book. Just not the same.

    If I can't blame it on Aromasin, that's okay. Maybe it's just my new normal. I can live with that - I miss the enjoyment of reading but....it is what it is.

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited June 2013

    Ohio, that is a menopause thing. Concentrating is much harder since I went through menopause. Add in the Aromasin and it just gets worse due to the complete lack of estrogen going to the brain. If getting older weren't bad enough, they take away what little protection we had left for our brain and other body parts (vaginal dryness comes to mind) and then tell us that it is "good for us" to take this stuff. I suppose that QOL is second to a recurrence though or we would not be taking this crap.

    Here is to being able to concentrate. I have a final exam today for work to get a credential we all have to have. Must score a 90% or it is a fail. Ugh!

    Enjoy your weekend!

  • ohio4me
    ohio4me Member Posts: 323
    edited July 2013

    I went through surgical menopause about seven years before Aromasin. Focus was not one of my changes at that time. I mean, life on Aromasin is 'ultimate' menopause so I guess the symptoms all run together. And, I'm not getting younger......

    Life is just interesting.......

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2013

    Ohio I'm glad u find all of this interesting LOL that's a good word for it--it covers it all LOL

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited July 2013

    So day 3 of being back on Aromasin and so far, things are fine. I am carrying the inhaler with me since the doctors says I have "situational or allergic" asthma and that is what caused my attack that night and the subsequent episodes of shortness of breath. The breathing thing is likely what caused the palpitations cause I was so panicked about the breathing thing. Ugh!

    Anyhow, hoping I can tolerate the aromasin, at least for as long as possible. With my already bad joint pain (prior to any cancer stuff) I am not holding my breath that I will be able to tolerate worse pain but giving it an honest try since I promised my MO that I would at least try.

    Hoping you all are finding what works for you whether that is a new drug or NONE. We all have to do what we find is best for us.

    Cindy, it has been a month for you and it is going well I assume? I hope I am like you.

    I still say my rads caused my breathing issues. Never had an issue in my life and now, just right about the time it would begin, I feel this breathing issue and it seems to be more concentrated in my left lung. Did not realize that initially, but paid attention and sure enough, it feels worse on that side. Pneumonitis is very real despite the denial by the RO. She said my films (she had the hospital send them to her) showed nothing that would indicate radiation pneumonitis. Acutally, I am HOPING it is that since that goes away eventually.

    Have a great day ladies.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2013

    April as I've said so often, I wouldn't doubt anything that all that crap does to us--some can tolerate it better that's tru, but some just can't--so like u said whatever choice we make, we make and it's fine.

  • savgigi
    savgigi Member Posts: 245
    edited July 2013

    April, I am 2 1/2 months on Aromasin and my joint issues are just stiffness and sometimes a little achiness. I hope you tolerate it well.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2013

    Gigi that's great, u tolerte that well, it's good to hear.

  • savgigi
    savgigi Member Posts: 245
    edited July 2013

    Cami, it does make me a little evil Money Mouth. I figure if I have to endure menopause the second time around, so does every one aroune me.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2013

    GiGi I have that motto--if I'm miserable stay out of my way or u'll be more misersble than me.  It actually works well--everyone leaves me alone. and I like that.

  • mainegirl
    mainegirl Member Posts: 24
    edited July 2013

    Saw Oncologist today as I had fever, chills from Arimidex. Switching to Aromasin. Hoping I can handle it! She told me the benefit if AI's is about 3-4%. I feel better knowing its a small amount in case I can't do this. Anyone else know that? Next choice would be Tamoxifin if this doesn't work.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2013

    Oh Maingirl I hope this is a good chouce for u, and u feel better--I don't know any %'s but then again I never ask anything. LOL

  • shayne
    shayne Member Posts: 524
    edited July 2013

    Taking an AI for me only changed my recurrance rate by 1% - so not worth the severe SEs I was experiencing...  Good luck!

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 677
    edited July 2013

    I wonder how they figure out the percentages.  My onc just said to take it because it would prevent a recurrence.

  • shayne
    shayne Member Posts: 524
    edited July 2013

    the cancer math and sloan kettering site are great if you want to figure out your percentages

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 677
    edited July 2013

    I tried cancer math last year. It said that with a lumpectomy and no hormonals and rads I will live 11 months shorter than with them.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2013

    Dogs OK stupid question time from guess who--11 months shorter than what---u don't know the future so what does that mean--God forbid there is a car accident, what happens? I don't get it.

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 677
    edited July 2013

     Cancer Math takes your age and figures what you life expectancy is according to insurance tables. But that's without factoring in the cancer or other diseases. So it makes no sense really. I agree.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2013

    Dogs hahahahahahaha--see we've settled this one. LOL