Life on aromasin
Comments
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Hi April, I too have osteoporosis in my family and am not due for another Dexa scan for a year. My last one showed osteopenia. The graph with the report showed an estimate of ten years until I went from osteopenia to osteoporosis. But now with Aromasin I think it will speed that timetable up. I am taking supplements to try to prevent that but I will be surprised if that works. In February I expect to take a twelve-week "Livestrong" class at the YMCA. It is free to anyone who's had cancer. I am looking forward to learning weight-bearing exercises other than walking. I already do that, lol.0 -
Hi, April. With Aromasin, the worst for me was brain fog, feeling like I was going to fall all the time, insomnia, jitteriness and mood changes. Joint issues I could deal with. My onc switched me to Arimidex but 2 weeks on that and I had such fatigue I would nap for 5 hr. So I started Femara this week and we will see how it goes. A friend said she tried them all and Femara was the best for her. So even though they all work the same, SE's are not necessarily the same from one to the next.
My onc keeps pushing tamoxifen but I have too high a risk of stroke and heart attack to be comfortable trying that one.
It is good to see you here again.0 -
I hope the Livestrong program at your Y is better than the one at mine. Sort of a waste but then again, I have belonged to a private gym for years and use a personal trainer there. He is actually working on a PHD in physical therapy with an emphasis on cancer survirors.
He has been way more helpful than the Y folks, they were...clueless~!~0 -
Hi Ladies,
Do not post much. Was on Femara a few months and then switched to arimidex. Was taken off for a few months and back on Femara. All for horrid SEs. Am trying Femara again because during all my EF was dropping to 35 due to Herceptin and I was dealing with SEs of that also. My MO wants me to try again-but am on day 5 and the joint and bone pain is back big time. I take it in the monring due to insomnia-which is still bad. He wants me to try tamoxifen but have avoided it from the beginning. After researching all choices the lifespan seemed the same with all but the AIs did better preventing recurrance. Am now off Herceptn after 20 of the recommended 52 weeks due to impact on my heart. Hoping for a lovely clinical trial.
This is month 17 for me. I look at least 10 years older and feel much older than that. Today has been my day to whine
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Susan, I see at the info at the bottom of your post that you are scheduled to start Aromasin on July 6, 2014. Are you expecting that Femara won't be tolerable again and that you'll have to switch to Aromasin? Or does your Dr. have a treatment plan that has you switching next July?
Proud, yes it is a concern that the Y program will be a waste of time. The program coordinator is going to send out paperwork in December and then I am to meet with her in January. She wants to assess my needs. And I will be interviewing her while she interviews me! I realize the program is free but I intend to join the Y if I can find an exercise program that works for me. So I am keeping my fingers crossed!0 -
Corky, don't get me wrong, if I was not already a member of my gym and have a very lo membership....it would be a good option. More stuff out all the time as to the benefits of us exercising so do whatever. The Y near me is very new so not sure the management is up to snuff!0 -
Hi Corky,
That was an error. July 2013. I have been switched back and forth enough though-that may be a switch date! I already want back off femara after 6 days. Am shocked at how quickly the pain-bone and joint returned. And with such power. Either enough OTC meds to kill my liver and kidneys or narcs to kill something. Neither of which do anything but take the edge off.0 -
Susan, okay now I understand. And am so sorry that Femara is intolerable. I hope you find relief soon. Maybe Arimidex will work for you?0 -
The Aromasin thread seems to be a lot quieter than the other AI threads. This might be good or not depending on our individual circumstances. I am quite a bit more achy today but then again we are getting a rain storm with wind. This is what passes for a good old Autumn storm in these parts. Later in the winter places can get flooding too. So I am going to chalk up aches and pains to the barometer and not the lack of estrogen. At least that's what I keep telling myself.0 -
Took a short break then started back last week. My knees and legs are so weak and sore I can barely walk or climb stairs. I hate these AIs.0 -
knees ankles hips and weight gain my main SEs, plus fighting emotional negativity0 -
I've been fighting depression since Arimidex and it just continued with the Aromasin. I take Wellbutrin but it hasn't seemed to make much difference. I have never been a depressive person until now.0 -
Chinneymae, last evening I got extreme pain in one joint of a finger. If my legs were like this I would be struggling with this med much more too. As for Wellbutrin, can you switch to another med? Effexor works for some and there are other meds if that doesn't work.0 -
I had that happen in my thumb several weeks ago and that is when I took the short break and then started back. I tried Effexor several years ago for hot flashed when I first started menopause and I couldn't take it. I can't remember why, but I knew I had to get him to change it to something else back then.0 -
Hii y'all
Sorry to hear that some are having issues with AIs.
Feel very fortunate...no SEs
I walk every day for 30 minutes, exercise, tai chi, mediation, dance, and active and grateful. Was determine not to take AI, but wanted to beat all odds of recurrence/mets so gulp the pill and pound the pavement.
I did journal how I was feeling 4 weeks prior to starting AI...so I would note any changes...no weight gain, no mood swings, nothing that wasn't going on before...so for me very doable...grateful
Best Wishes
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Well my lengthy post disappeared it seems, so trying again using paste option.
Guess it's really gone.
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try control z
It shows above that you deleted it0 -
Using my kindle fire. When I paste, I can see it but when I hit submit it tells me I need to enter content in the body of my post. I think it's bc I came back to it to finish and it had logged me out.
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I deleted several attempts where the posts came through empty.
Thx though
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I tried Arimdex and Femara briefly before having to stop from severe joint pain. Onc was prescribing narcs but they barely helped. Switched to Aromasin a year ago July and seemed like the answer since the joint pain was manageable with OCT. Last year's bone density I passed with flying colors. 2 months ago, my onc reported significant thinning in my spine. Wanted me to start taking vitamin D, 2000 a day, plus calcium 2 tabs (was already taking) and wanted me to start taking Flosomax, 1x week. My entire back has been aching for months, so he ordered a Pet Scan which came out negative. Also been having headaches every day for months, which I first thought was a sinus infection but that didn't stop them. Then 6 weeks ago, I noticed a small lump on my forehead. My Onc said the Pet only showed from my nose down, so he ordered a Cat Scan w/o contrast, which I had on Tuesday. Thursday I had a horrendous 2.5 hr MRI with and without contrast. Friday I saw my third plastic surgeon about the very painful fat necrosis that is the result of my Diep reconstruction. He said, cutting it out as others suggested would not make the pain go away, due to nerves that cone around your breast from your back, and I would forever have a deformed breast. But not to worry since fat necrosis goes away on its own if you do nothing! Takes a long time but it will go away. He also said due to my breast being radiated, to forget about getting a nipple as it would never heal properly. He also said the lump on my forehead was a benign fat lesion, which he felt comfortable saying after confirming by looking at the CD I brought. He said headaches were nit from the lump but if it gets bigger or hurts more to come no to him, to be removed. Now I'm wondering if the Aromasin could also be causing the headaches?
Big relief, looks like no Mets to skull/brain and I don't have to worry about more breast surgery! Don't have results of MRI bc I didn't leave the hospital until 8:00, Thursday. Can't figure out why we needed to do a MRI since I had a clean Pet but am sure I'll hear something this week.
Can you think of a reason of why he would want a MRI, after a clean Pet? Does he just want a better idea on the condition if my bones since my back hurts so much?
Depending on the condition of my spine, I might have to start taking Aromasin again or I'll consider taking Tomoxafin instead. I don't have a uterus so the risk of uterine cancer is nill but I have bad circulation and varicose veins so not keen on the risk of strokes, blood clots etc. Also if I am to take the Tomoxifen, I will have to stay off the Paxil which I've come to rely on it seems. I'm falling apart now and can't imagine staying off if it. So right now, I'm taking nothing which my Oncologist said was not an option, as I am high risk.
I said to him there's quality versus quantity and what good is it gif me yo be cancer free if I'm crippled in bed. If Aromasin has done this to my bones in such a short amount if time, what will I be like in 3 more years?
Sorry this turned out so long!
Final attempt.
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Yippe
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Eve. I will be waiting to hear what your MO says. I have done Femara, Aromasin, and back to Femara. I see my MO in a few weeks to discuss trying tamox. I have also discussed quality versus guantity. Narcs just take the edge off the joint/bone pain. Have had a headache almost daily since chemo-have been off the horrid chemo since Feb. Am off Herceptin after 20 weeks due to EF. I want and need to work. I love my job and it keeps me sort of sane. I walk like I am 20 years older than I am and have aged at least 1 years since starting the orals. Of course am glad to be alive-but the constant day in and day out pain. Sorry to vent and whine.0 -
I will let you know as soon as I learn something. I didn't mention the SE of severe brain fog. I thought it was from the chemo but mentioned to my onc it seems to be getting worse. He said it was not due to the Aromasin but the chemo and I was just noticing it more bc I have been working again and expecting my brain to work as it once did.
I don't believe this bc I have been back to work since 7/1/2011 and its gotten so much worse since then. I actually made the hard decision not to pursue a supervisory position bc I realize my brain now has limitations. Plus I'm going to be 58 and plan to work only another 4-5 years, God willing.
Everything about this disease is terrible. People think if you're still walking and talking and have gone through surgery and chemo, then you're cured.
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And yes, working helps to keep you sane!
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I too have brain fog since taking the Aromasin and I didn't have Chemo. I am looking at quality of life over quantity myself. I am 57, as well, and I do not want to waste what quality of life I have left feeling like a 90 year old woman. I am seriously thinking about DIM instead. I promised my MO that I would take the Aromasin until I see her again in Dec. If I get any worse off than I am now, I will let her know I want to stop taking these AIs.0 -
A recent study showed that AIs are the culprit for brain fog in the long run. I definitely had it during and after chemo, but it lingers still. For me it is the inability to find a word or to sometimes talk coherently. I too have given up on going for a promotion. Before BC I was planning to look for another position, but have given up on this and will stay where I am. I would fail in the interview process. Another thing I've noticed is that I cannot go that extra mile at work. I'm on salary, so I'd often work an extra hour a day and on weekends to start or finish a special project. I don't have the drive for that now. Also don't have the drive to keep my house clean. Thankfully I live alone.
My pain after a year on Aromasin is minimal now. I went through quite a bit in my ankle and hip. Now it is the stiffness and hobbling after sitting for long periods. I find that the warmer I keep my lower body, the less stiffness I have. I have almost none when I get out of bed because I keep my lower body toasty.0 -
Doxie - thanks for the hint! Getting the heating blanket out of the closet! I've tried everything else for the AI morning stiffness, might as well try this! Ah, warm and toasty!0 -
Hoping it's not just me - are others having issues with weight gain, especially around the middle? The waist got larger even before weight gain was seen on the scale. I'm guess from having no estrogen.0
