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Life on aromasin

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Comments

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 677
    edited September 2013

    I guess that would depend on why you are taking the aspirin. Is it because you have atrial fibrillation? Is so, you need your blood to be a certain consistency and DIm would make it too thick.

  • Chinneymae
    Chinneymae Member Posts: 173
    edited September 2013

    If you are taking high doses of aspirin it may be a problem. I would ask my physician first.

  • Eve1956
    Eve1956 Member Posts: 67
    edited September 2013

    Makes sense Doxie.Thx for that perspective.

  • Eve1956
    Eve1956 Member Posts: 67
    edited September 2013

    Seabeal, How long ago did you quit Aromasin? See you started in July 2012. How long did it take for your side effects to diminish?

    I'm going to check out that link Chinneymae provided, about suppressing estrogen more naturally.

    Quality of life is everything to me. But God I want to grow old enough to be a grandmother, but that's so many years away.

    I don't know how to deal with this except by taking it 1 day at a time. And making wonderful memories whenever you can.







  • shayne
    shayne Member Posts: 524
    edited September 2013

    i was on it for 7 months.......it took 3 months for SEs to completely subside.......Quality of life is everything

  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 1,748
    edited September 2013

    I have a vascular disease so have to take enteric coated aspirin every day

  • Lifeim-init
    Lifeim-init Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2013

    I've just ditched AIs in favor of Tamoxifen and what a difference, my joint pain started to immediately reduce and now I have no pain or stiffness in my hands, knees or hips - yeah...



    I was on Femara for 8 mths, then Aromasin then back to Femara, the arthritis was getting worse and worse. If I have to be on something for up to 10 years then I felt I needed to try all options and being on something which was affecting my ability to stay active without twice daily painkillers was worth a try.

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

    Hi Life--ubsound experienced and sounds like u made a good choice. Good for u---It's good to feel good.

  • Chinneymae
    Chinneymae Member Posts: 173
    edited September 2013

    Last night my right foot was tingling. Has anyone had that problem with Aromasin?

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

    Chinny-I've had tingling in hands and feet, some has lessened but stil have it. But everything I have I blame on aromasin

  • seabeal
    seabeal Member Posts: 108
    edited September 2013

    Eve - I was on it for 11 months (stopped in June). In someways I feel like I'm still clearing it from my system but I feel so much better there are no words to describe it. Before I stopped I was hurting so bad both physically and emotionally that the only thing I looked forward to was taking my sleeping pill to go to sleep and dreaded waking every morning. The physical pain kept me from enjoying everything I loved to do. If I vacuum the floor it took me all day to recover but the worse was the depression. When death began to look better then living I knew it was time. I don't know that I want to do anything about the estrogen due to the fact that I think that the symptoms were related to the depletion not just the medication and in the end it might not matter cause there are no guarantees that you won't relapse. I'm not going to do anything to throw myself under the bus such as smoking and other risky living (except for riding my bike). I feel more alive now then I have since long before my dx and I continue to reevaluate my life to live it to the fullest before it's over.

  • Chinneymae
    Chinneymae Member Posts: 173
    edited September 2013

    Cami: Anything I didn't have before Aromasin, I'm blaming on Aromasin. :)

  • Eve1956
    Eve1956 Member Posts: 67
    edited September 2013

    Seabeal, our cases are so similar across the board. I feel I am at a crossroads now and must seriously weigh the pros and cons.

    I cant imagine staying on this for 2 & 3/4 more years. The way things are going, at this rate, I'll be so compromised medically by then, who cares if I don't have cancer.

    Each new drug they are proposing for each side effect, creates its own unique set of irreversible side effects.

  • seabeal
    seabeal Member Posts: 108
    edited September 2013

    Eve, I agree completely. I'm in the process of weaning myself off as many meds as safely can be done. It's unbelievable how many rx I have accumulated since this journey started and as you stated, another drug to cover the SE of the previous drug. Going around and around to the point I'm not sure where I'm going. Being a RN at least I've had some education and know where to get the information regarding what drugs can be safely stopped (like I'm not going to stop my metformin)

    I have developed a healthy distrust of the medical community in regards to some tx. It seems as though many of them are developing the "attorney apptitude" in making sure they get their fair share of the "medical pie"

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

    Seabeal I'm so glad u'r feeling good. I stopped for a few months but didn't really feel any different--all my Se's were permanant and they're not going anywhere so what's the difference now. I still see a Dr. every 3 months and they find something new and I have to see another dr.It's the wheel of the hamster, except I have no speed. Oh well

  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 1,748
    edited September 2013

    You can safely take a two month break then go back on, some evidence shows this makes AIs more effective......

  • CBrown107
    CBrown107 Member Posts: 10
    edited September 2013

    Has anyone had SEs involving heartburn and stomach pain?

  • overjoyed4life
    overjoyed4life Member Posts: 92
    edited September 2013

    Hello everyone,

    Does anyone else feel like there is constant pflem in the back of your throat?

    Thanks

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 677
    edited September 2013

    I get that when I eat dairy products. Have quit them because of that.

  • Chinneymae
    Chinneymae Member Posts: 173
    edited September 2013

    Seabeal: I agree with you 100%. I also have come to distrust some of these meds. After doing some research I found that some oncologists' salaries are based on the treatments/drugs they give. You have to stay abreast of your treatment and do what is best for you.

  • 16Christine
    16Christine Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2013

    Sharon - yes, I have a little twinge at back of the throat that wasn't there before. Don't know whether to blame arimidex, high chest radiation, or 5-fu (had 5-fu in 2012 for a different cancer, caused a lot of mouth sores).

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

    Of course if something is bothering u call u'r Dr. but I have had or heard of those SE's---there are more too.

  • overjoyed4life
    overjoyed4life Member Posts: 92
    edited September 2013

    I am goung to try that Activia. Maybe it's yeast. Tired of going to the doctor for every little thing. That's 25 per visit. We'll see. Thanks

  • Katarina
    Katarina Member Posts: 99
    edited September 2013

    Has anyone experienced these symptoms:

    Every other month or so I get recurring bouts of flu like symptoms that keep me bed bound. But I never get the flu or a cold, just:

    - extreme body aches

    - extreme fatigue

    - brain fog/slowed thinking

    - headaches / tension type

    - Sore throat (for days)

    - IBS

    - hot / cold flashes / mild fever

    These last for about 2 weeks then I'm fine, but it keeps coming on a regular and worsening basis ever month or so.

    Hugs,

    Kat

  • Chinneymae
    Chinneymae Member Posts: 173
    edited September 2013

    Kat: I haven't had that with Aromasin, but I did have it with Arimidex. It could be the AI.

  • prm
    prm Member Posts: 7
    edited September 2013

    My onc recommended Black Cohosh, and I have found that very helpful for my hot flashes.

    I have been on the Aromasin about a year and a half.  Initially had no joint pain, but started having pain in my hands, wrists and feet after about a year.  My onc had me stop for a couple of weeks, but didn't make a difference.

    Am currently seeing a rheumatologst to see whether I have just developed arthritis or whether there is something else going on.

    Anybody started having joint stiffness and pain after taking over a year?

    Thnaks

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

    Kat I've had every one of those but usually not a sore throat, but very dry so it feels raspy and my temp hasn't gone over 100 but it's at all different times.

    my joint stiffnes turned into full blown severe arthritis, my 2 lower discs and lower vertabrae degenerating and scoliosis within 3 months but they won't say it's aromasin, but it could be.And there is more so I don't know anymore what's from anything all I know is I have pain most of the time and they kindly give me pain meds. I have tried PT but that wasn't great. I stopped but damage is done so I went back on it---I also have organ problems but they really don't know why and a slight problem with my heart whic could or maybe not be due to herceptin. So those are the kinds of answers I get. hahaha

  • overjoyed4life
    overjoyed4life Member Posts: 92
    edited September 2013

    Yes Katarina,

    All of what you mentioned happens to me every couple of months. I was so worried about it that I had my Dr. run every test imaginable, including HIV. We both finally agreed that it had to be from the Aromasin after I took a break and felt better. Sometimes I wonder about this drug.

  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 1,032
    edited September 2013

    I have had minimal problems with Aromasin. Everybody is different.

  • WaveWhisperer
    WaveWhisperer Member Posts: 557
    edited September 2013

    Yorkiemom, same with me...I had severe stiffness and joint pain while on Arimidex for a year. My MO suggested changing to Aromasin. I was skeptical, especially when, early on, I developed two trigger fingers. But after almost 3 months on Aromasin, I feel significantly better. I think it's important to let women know, as you said, that each of us is different, had different earlier treatments and react differently to the various AI's. Right now I feel better than I have in the 2 years since DX.