Life on aromasin
Comments
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Hi kindergarten... I am interested in your post about stopping aromasin for a while...and then the side effects were less
when you started again how long did you stop for and why do you think the side effects decreased when you started again?
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hi, Paulakc, Yes, I stopped aromasin for 8 months after being on it for almost 7 years, then went back on it again!! I was actually getting used to the side effects after my fifth year on aromasin ( joint pain and weight gain.) I was really able to manage both the joint pain and weight gain, and I finally figured out that a low carb and high protein diet helped me to lose a lot of the weight! I also walk a lot and drink a gallon of water a day!! The only problem now that I am having with Aromasin, is that I am experiencing some anxiety and depression, which I had not had before!!!But I am attributing some of this to a move to CA and, I had a severe case of Shingles!!! I am going to talk to my onc about the depression and anxiety!! I actually had a better weekend!!!! I have read on other threads that taking a break from aromatose inhibitors is OK, and many oncs will recommend that or switch you to another!!! Hope this helps!!! Have a great day, Kathy0 -
Hi Paulakc--Most of the Drs, now are saying u can take a break from this tiny little pills, so mybe u can ask if u'r thinking about it if u'r having SE's that u don't like.
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I hope it's ok for me to post here. I don't have a cancer diagnosis. I have "ADH approaching DCIS." My risk was high enough that I started exemestane in June, with the understanding I need to take it for five years. I was shocked how fast the SEs started--you all know them so I won't bother to list them here.
My MO said by three months, my brain would start to get used to the level of pain and start to ignore it.
Some days I felt like this was true, but every time I started to have hope, all the aches and pains would return again, worse than ever. Not to mention the weight gain (20 pounds in five months!) But what has bothered me most was the foggy headed depression with intermittent anxiety-panicky tightness. The Journey to depression was slower than the aches and pains, though, so it took me awhile to link my decreasing mood and alertness with the medication. Just before Thanksgiving, I decided to take a month off. My mind cleared up almost immediately and ten days out, my mood is right back where it should be, though I still have a lot of the aches and pains and now worry that I'd've done permanent damage.
My original plan was to start back up again after the holidays, but now I'm not so sure and I don't see my MO until February. What's shocking to me is how short a time it took for me to feel so badly, and I had no other medications, treatments, surgeries, or complications to deal wiith, which brings me to the purpose of my post.
I want to thank you all for sharing your experiences and your journeys. Without your even knowing I was lurking here, you have provided me with a wealth of information, and a sense that I wasn't alone in this struggle with this little white pill. You are an inspiration to those around you, and you offer hope and commaraderie. Bless you all!
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sorry you are having such side effects. Even though your reg onco apt is not till Feb, I would call them to discuss your reactions. Most times the oncos will suggest switching to dif brand of med. In any advent, do call
you may want to try something like yoga to help with the aches etc
I am finishing up my 5 yrs and have not had bad side effects, then again, maybe I am just used to them now, luck and best wishes0 -
JL D of course u can post here anytime, u can complain, vent or tell us how good u feel. In my opinion, which I know nothing, I really think the Drs. just know what they read about all these meds and the usual is it goes away and it does for people, but they forgot the group that they didn't test to say OMG something is wrong all the time. Who knows the ages, or how many, or where they are from, whatever that was tested, cuz no one asked me---So everyone is different and I guess u should talk to u'r onc and tell them just what's going on, June is a long enough time.
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Dear Jld03!!! I am so sorry that you are having these very uncomfortable side effects, especially the depression and anxiety!! I am having these side effects as well after being on aromasin for almost 8 years!!! So glad you came here for support and encouragement!!! Well, after I posted earlier, I remembered that I had purchased a bottle of 5-HTP at Costco a few months ago. I did take the tablets for a week in August, but I did not feel better or worse!! Well , I just took a tablet an hour ago, and I am going to see how it works until I see the onc again in January!!!! I had e-mailed my onc in August about this medication and she said , sure try it and see how it works!!! Well, I am going to try it again, since it is over the counter and the reviews that I have read on-line say that this med does help with depression, anxiety and weight loss!! I did not take it long enough the first time!! I will give it a chance to work!! Do whatever it takes to make you feel better!! This is a very challenging journey!! Hugs to you, Kathy0 -
Kinder good Luck with that and right u didn't take it long enough take it til u see u'r Onc. that will give u a good measure how it helps and I hope it does.
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Thank you so much for the good wishes, Camillegal!! I will definitely let you know how it works!!!0 -
hi, Camillegal again!! I grew up in Joliet, Illinois and we just moved to CA from Chesterton, IN, about an hour from Chicago!!0 -
OMG Of course I know where that is, it's a little far from me tho--I'm in Wheaton about 1 mile from the hospital I go to, so I can walk on a good day---hahaha Well I don't have many good days so I get a ride.
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i love Wheaton!! I have many friends whose children go the college there!!! My first teaching job was in Aurora!!!! What a small world!!!!0 -
Wheaton? Have we had this conversation? You're right near CDH???0 -
Wheaton North Alumni here!0 -
OMG I'm about 1 or 2 miles from the hospital which comes in very handy now. I live right off County Farm Rd. It's really unincorporated but kind of old fashion with little tiny forests thru out and no sidewalks. Very nice people here--we moved from Lombard to a 4 bedroom house her so I have my own little section of my world and my GS can come in any time he wants which is a lot Thank God and he makes me happy and laugh and cuddles loads--he's nine. I work a little from my home and my Boss lives right down the street from the hospital, my niece who lives about 5 miles from me usually takes me to appointments so this is a good area for us. Oh and not far from the DuPage Court house so in case I get a DUI I don't have far to go, not that I drink, but with all the meds I walk like I'm loaded.
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Cami,
Ha! Ha! DUI because of the drugs. Certainly a real possibility in some cases. There were a few times my daughter wouldn't let me drive.
Dang trigger thumb. I've got it in both thumbs, but worse in the right. How do you get anything done w/o your thumb?0 -
Camillegal, you are too funny, DUI!! Yes, some of these meds we take, make us feel so loopy!!! I am homesick for the Midwest!! We were just back in IN and Chicago a few weeks ago for a family reunion!!! We lived in Pittsburgh, PA for 20 years as well! I think the 5-htp is working! I take a tablet in the morning and one after dinner!! I feel much less anxious!!!
Doxie, I have not had trigger thumb, but my both my hands are stiff in the morning!! Hope you it gets better for you!!!0 -
Kathy, what is 5 HTP? I0 -
Thumbs Hmmm some animals like what the monkey doesn't have thumbs yet they can peel a banana, but science says that's one of the reasons we function better so without thumbs try to put on underwear, it's difficult, see monkeys don't wear clothes, but u can still peel a banana if that helps.
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hi, dogsandjogs!!! It is an over the counter herb med that helps with anxiety and depression!!! I buy it at Costco! I did check with my onc and she gave me the thumbs up!! I bought it in August, and only used it a week, but now I will stick with it, so far so good!! Have a good day, hon!!!!0 -
Thanks! I'll try it. Do get occasional panic attacks lately (rapid hear beat, high BP out of nowhere) might help that. Will check with the internist first thought. Getting a new one as my current one just sent me a letter informing me that he will no longer take my insurance. It's ok, I was thinking of changing anyway as his whole personality has changed lately and he is short-tempered and impatient with everyone (according to the local grape vine)0 -
WooooEEEEE Used to be a Candy Striper at CDH in the 70s. My stepbro is a Chiro with a practice on County Farm Road. Go figure. Dr Greg Bown, just in case any needs him.
Any one else take classes at COD? No degree from there, just a few here and there. I miss Wheaton. Haven't been there since about 1990.0 -
Galsal ther is a chiro right on the corner of County Farm and ???Right down the block from us--U remember Klein Creek we're in the subdivision across the Count Farm rd. How weird.
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cami,
Maybe I'm going to have to use my teeth in place of thumbs.0 -
Doxie I really wasn't making fun of u, but u r so right, u don't know what u thumbs mean until u don't have us of them--U really can't easily pull up underwear, because of thumbs Or do a lot of things, which I'm sure no one ever thinks about until the time comes. I'm sorry u'r having such a problem, I don't know what u can do.
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Cami, I was making fun of myself. My dear, in my eyes, you can do no wrong. Your sense of humor is spot on and I love it.0 -
Oh Doxie thank u, u know sometimes people take me seriously, I hope by now everyone know I'm quirky, most do, but I don't want to scare newbies away. BTW I was laughing picturing u pulling up things with u'r teeth. hahaha
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Imagine me pulling a hand knit pullover sweater over my very long doxie's body using my teeth. That should give you some belly laughs.0 -
Doxie with my belly that's a huge laugh too. and I was laughing thinking about u'r teeth.
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I don't know about you girls, but I have used my teeth in lieu of fingers all my life. Matter of fact, I just tore open a stubborn bag of nuts with them.
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