Exemestane (Aromasin)
Comments
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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?
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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. 0 -
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Hi to Everyone,
I have had a terrible time with the AIs. I started with Anastrozole and after 10 days, had to stop fue to terrible side side effects - headaches, dizzy spells nausea- the list goes on. After a break of one week, the oncologist prescribed exemestane and within 20 minutes, I almost collapsed. A week later we tried anastrozole again. I tolerated it somewhat better this time. However I have been on anastrozole for seven months now and the multijoint pain particularly has become progressively worse. Agitation and insomnia are also present along with a host of other side effects including neuropathy in both feet. Unfortunately, there is no dose adjustment, and no research data to support every other day dosing per my oncologist. I take the anastrozole at suppertime to avoid nausea that occurs if I take it in the morning. I refuse to try Letrozole as the side effects are the same for all of the AIs - just a matter of degree. I take meloxicam for joint pain and tylenol. I am active walking my dog long walks three times a day, and I still ride horses. I see the oncologist this week for a discussion about changing to a SERD - fulvestrant. I will also need to take Kisqali due to a steady upward trend in the Signatera levels.
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Hi all, I'm just getting back on the discussion site and saw this. I tried Anastrozole and Letrozole, but ultimately chose Exemestane for most of my now 7 years of taking these. I was told it is less hard on causing bone thinning. I have high cholesterol now after bc and taking these meds, had 2 hip replacements before age 60 (!) which I chalk up to lack of estrogen and diminished joint lubrication. The studies show we can end this therapy after 7 years (and 20 lbs for me🙄). 7 is as effective as taking them for 10 recent studies show. I will report back in 6 months to see if any of the side effects I've been tolerating for 7 years go away!
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