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Exemestane (Aromasin)

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Comments

  • lillyishere
    lillyishere Member Posts: 786
    edited July 2022

    Sorry for the late response Mika. Considering that we are taking powerful anti-estrogen medications, I could say that mood and memory are OK. My theory is that being in these drugs is like a forever menopausal symptoms and mood, memory, skin, etc. come with it. Still, much better than letrozole.

    How are you doing?

  • mikamika
    mikamika Member Posts: 242
    edited July 2022

    Hi Lilly,

    Thanks for the update! I'm doing fine. To be honest, I'm tired to complain :) Do you know how this "steroid" component in Aromasine works? It looks like my MO doesn't want me to change meds. Of course, I can push for Aromasine. I'm just afraid to get new side effects.

  • twolutzjo
    twolutzjo Member Posts: 18
    edited August 2022

    Hi ......haven't been on in awhile. I was on Letrozole for 2 years and then started having awful SE. My MO switched me to Aromasine. I have been on it for about 9 months. Does anyone out there have any of these SE? I will feel good for several days and then I am hit with NO energy and I so nothing or go to bed to sleep. Also has anyone had itching of skin? Can't figure out the cause of these 2 SE. Any help would be appreciated.

  • quinnie
    quinnie Member Posts: 113
    edited September 2022

    Hi twolutzju, I to have periods of zero energy. I always blame myself and say I don;t exercise enough but it is hard to exercise when my body doesn't want to move. I was on letrozole for 2 years and develooped SE's so switched to exemestane 6 months ago. I still have hot flashes, and periods of fatigue, mild increase in joint pain. I was stage one, grade one, so wonder if i need to continue taking this. Did anyone else just stop? I am at such low risk for reoccurrance that the long term SE's might be not worth the issues I have now.

  • jrnj
    jrnj Member Posts: 408
    edited October 2022

    lilyishere, Still doing better on exemestane instead of letrozole? I am doubtful it would make a difference for me. I feel like my muscle and joint pain may be from lack of estrogen. I have felt awful on all of them, and I think my cholesterol medicines (I have tried several of those also) are contributing to the problem. I feel hopeless.

  • lillyishere
    lillyishere Member Posts: 786
    edited October 2022

    jrnj, so sorry to hear about the pains you are going through with these meds. Yep, they are very harsh. I started month 8 on exemestane and it seems like a breeze compared with letrozole. Letrozole was killing me slowly. If you want to give exemestane a second chance, I was told that you need to take 6 weeks of vacation time without any medication. This way the body will purge the old medicines and have a chance to bounce back. Then you'll start the new medication. Try to be like a solder, put it in the calendar, start in week 6 and and take it in the exact days and times. Take it after a meal preferably at lunchtime with lots of water. Give it a try. Not before bedtime and not on an empty stomach. I heard from so many people that exemestane is so much easier. The cons are that interacts with other medications, herbs, and supplements. Right now I am only taking a small amount of calcium supplement and vitamin D. I hope it will work for you. I feel terrible for the pain we go through with these meds. Like surgeries, radiation, and chemos are not enough. Sending you virtual hugs and good vibes.

  • laguna24
    laguna24 Member Posts: 97
    edited October 3

    Hi, All

    Is this group still active? Had to switch to Aromasin from Letrozole due to unbearable rash in combo with Kisqali. This is my first week on the new combo and I have different side effects from two. Light allergy from Kisqali is still there, but more or less contained with antihistamines. But Exemestane caused my lower extremities (palms and feet) to swell and I have bad taste in my mouth. Also have problem falling asleep.
    How do you manage your SE? What is your experience? How long have you been on this combo and how is your response compare to other combos like Kisqali with Letrozole?

    Appreciate your advice

  • lillyishere
    lillyishere Member Posts: 786

    Hi Laguna, I’m not on this combination, but I’ve been on exemestane alone for the past 2.5 years. I do experience menopausal symptoms, with the worst being insomnia, bouts of sadness that are hard to shake, hot flashes, and fatigue. I’ve also noticed some strange changes in my skin color, but I still prefer exemestane over letrozole.

    I hope someone else can share their experience with the combination you're asking about.