Doing Well on Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs)

Well, husband picked up my generic anastrozole refill at Walgreens today. It is in my records to only dispense TEVA, but they switched it to Zydus, which is manufactured in India. I am extremely reluctant to take these pills due to all the rampant COVID in India and also since this manufacturer has had FDA warning letters in re: deficient manufacturing processes (and even some recalls of other meds). Does anyone have additional knowledge of this manufacturer they can share? I will be talking to the pharmacy tomorrow about this switch (scrip package is unopened/stapled shut) and attempting to return it. If they won't take it back, I will likely suspend taking the pills and try to find an alternative. This scrip is only 25 pills & I will need to get a refill from the MO. Anyone know the current price of brand name through Eagle Pharmacy?

Thanks Kaylie, it is very tough mentally at the minute but I take great inspiration from knowing that life does return to some semblance of normality. I plan to retire from my job as a medical scientist in September. Best wishes Candace..... Anne.

Hello:

My Doctor told me never to take a generic for "very important" medical situations. What is more important than cancer? I take Femora but not the generic. Apparently generic tend to have more fillers and less of the needed drug. Financially it does cause difficulty as I pay $123.00/month and the generic would have been $38.00, but I gladly pay the high amount because technically I should not even be here anymore to complain. I feel very blessed to be here, eventhough the Femora side effect has zapped 90% of my energy.

You all have a wonderful day!

muska - identical? I doubt it. For example, I had fewer SEs on brand name Arimidex than generic anastrozole. A freind taking a brand name drug (not cancer) has had the same experience. Better control of the condition as well as far fewer SEs. Her DR also told her that generics are allowed to have a +/- range of the dose listed, and brand names do not have that range. Supposedly the "active" ingredient is the same, but sometimes I wonder. "Bottle of Lies" by Katherine Eban describes the corruption and boom in the generic market. Probably the original drug manufacturer is no better................

Dennis G,

That is fantastic!!

Hi Julie! Same here with the joint stiffness and on anastrazole.

It's "only" in my hands, and upon awakening.

I don't feel 80 (I'm 64), but it sure is weird. Also asking the oncologist about the stiffness and any remedies. I'm just 6 months into taking

the Rx so do want to give it more time. But I sure know what you mean!

Very, very infrequent "warm waves" that have gone down to almost nothing. Yay!

I have been on anastrozole for 3.5 years. I have moderate joint pain in my right SI joint. Daily exercise is critical to reduce the discomfort. I used to take naproxen as well, but worried it has made me anemic so have stopped taking it. I also am on Prolia. My oncologist said yesterday I will have the Breast Cancer Index done next year to see if I will benefit for more than 5 years of AItreatment. I had planned to be on it forever, as the discomfort is manageable. Will wait and see what the testing reveals

I just completed my 5 years of AI's in August. Congrats to everyone who completed 5 years! I took Aromasin, which I got for free through Pfizer rx program, then exemestane later on. My SE were joint pain. I would lierally tuck and roll to get out of bed because it hurt to sit up and get out of bed normally. Then I would waddle to the kitchen to make coffee and could barely tighten my hand around the coffee pot handle. If I sat for long periods if time, it would hurt to stand up. Oddly enough, once I got moving, the joint pain would subside. Usually within 5 or 10 minutes. That went on for about two years. Beyond that, I noticed alot of hair falling out in the shower the first year. No hot flashes at all, and I sleep like a rock. I did gain about 25 lbs though. Anyone start to lose weight after AI tx over? My doctor said my metabolism should go back to how it was before. Not sure if she was just saying that to make me feel better....I was sobbing because she weighed me.

I shower at night so in the morning I use a hot washcloth to wash my face. That super hot water ringing out of the wascloth feels the best on my hands.

I think they sell a machine that heats paraffin wax and you put your hands into it, then wear plastic gloves. Until you peel it back off.

Kid919, now that you mention, I do feel dry since on letrozole and my sweat doesn't smell. I always used baking soda for my underarms and I still do but there isn't much sweat, tears, etc.

Re sweat and underarm stuff - I find what those of you who've said you're underarms don't smell very interesting, as I have found the opposite. Ever since I started letrozole, I sweat more and my underarms in particular smell extra bad, and a whole lot like Letrozole! Like the bottle full of pills smells when I open it. Even with regular showers, I have to sponge a lot too, just to get rid of the underarm Letrozole stink.