Topic: Life on aromasin

Jun 13, 2012 01:52AM fondak wrote:

I asked my oncologist's nurse practioner if there is a range in how positive you are and she told me there was.  Then she checked my report and told me that my ER was 95% positive.  She didn't mention the PR and I didn't think to ask.

Is estrogen the main concern for all of us that are ER and PR positive?  I hear estrogen mentioned much more than progesterone.

Jun 13, 2012 05:18AM donnajrn wrote:

interesting fact about aromasin I just realized.  Lately I have had high blood pressure...not super high, but higher that I have ever had.  It is way down 5 days after stopping the aromasin. (yes, just checked and this can be a side effect of this drug) Still having the aches and hoping they will leave soon.  These meds are rough!!

Jun 13, 2012 10:24AM dogsandjogs wrote:

The two main things that worries me are my bones and my heart. My heart is healthy, except for the atrial fibrillation, but statistics show that the rate of heart disease for women increases in menopause due to the lack of estrogen.

Not sure if raise in blood pressure is an SE, but I do have that.  Also, the fact that the liver values have to be checked every few months is a concern. But even Tylenol is bad for the liver. I guess all drugs are.

PS My cholesterol also went up, but is still within the normal range--

Jun 13, 2012 11:10AM Kindergarten wrote:

Just wondering is the dosagae for Aromasin still 25 mg, daily? That is what I took.Thanks!!

Jun 13, 2012 01:22PM fondak wrote:

kayb - Thanks for the info on progestrone.  Also, about milk thistle, when I started taxol my liver enzymes shot way up.  It was more than twice of the top end of normal range.  My oncologist wasn't familar with any natural supplements so I called my radiation oncologist which I had met with before I started all my treatment.  He was very big on the holistic side of treatment and told me to take milk thistle.  The next week I was back down in the normal range and didn't have any more problems.  After finishing chemo and then radiation he told me to continue to take it for 3 months.

Kindergarten - I'm taking 25 mg of Exemestane 

Ginger_mea   I feel like I'm stinging which turns quickly to itching.  It started with my arms and legs and now it's all over.  I asked my dr about it at my last visit and she told me that it is part of the hot flash.  She said it is common.  I was relating the stinging as a trigger for a hot flash and not part of the hotflash.  It seems to me that sometimes when I hear something stressful or have a stressful thought I am more prone to have a hotflash also.  That may just be a coincidence.

Jun 13, 2012 01:48PM camillegal wrote:

I do get some hot flashes, but I'm in my mid 60's but my skin gets so itchy Im scratching like there are bigs under the skin all over--I does stop bt I never put it together actually---right now I feel like all tingyl thruout my body like all my nerves are partying up in there and I hate this feeling-it's kind of funny I never complained foer all the opers, chemo, and rad just took it--now I feel like I'm always hurting and compaining--I can't stand myself. And now my fingers are stiff so I type worse than usual, LOL.

Jun 13, 2012 03:11PM camillegal wrote:

Dogsand----Everyone know who reads anything I say I've said it before--most Drs don't know the long term effects cuz we are getting thru cancer more now than ever--good thing, but all that is thrown at our bodies is horrific and it does what it's supposed to do---but what about SE my old body has aged even more after the yrs. of chemo  and rads.

Kayb thanks for the info on Mag. another thing to think about ughh

Jun 15, 2012 04:49PM fromMontreal wrote:

Lolahasit and all: I also have a dry mouth and cough since I started 4.5 months ago, but didn't think it could be of aromasin. At first the cough was very strong, now - rear and dry. Before to start aromasin I took 4 months break after Tamoxiphene which caused all possible SE, especially severe headache and I waited untill I feel better.  As to Tamoxiphene SE's - they are all gone, or almost, still I have some tinnitus and deafness. I was afraid to start aromisin as I knew already femara and tamox which both drive me crasy after 4-6 months. Fortunately, by now on, I had no headaches, but have bons pains, especially in the right hip, very strong periodical limph node pains without being swallen - in groins, in the back neck - (Does anybody has this?); increasing non-stop tiredness, fatigue, tired legs, leg crapms started this week (just 2 times). I took it a pill at lunch, but sometimes it couses drowsiness and feeling of mortal tiredness, so now I will try to take it at 8pm  and will see.  But all these SE are very mild comparing to femara and tamox. I can tolerate it and hope they will gone with the time. Thanks to all who positively posted about aromasin, especially to Kintergarten, it's incouraging!

Jun 15, 2012 10:53PM ptdreamers wrote:

kayb, also at Walmart and e-bay.

Jun 16, 2012 12:41AM - edited Jun 16, 2012 12:47AM by stephN

I found a drink with valerian, melatonin, lemon balm, and a couple other sleep inducing herbs that I drink before bed.  It seems to help.   

Jun 16, 2012 09:25PM rayofsun wrote:

Apple I am doing ok. Wow this thread took off. I havent been on this site for a bite. Needed a breast cancer rest.I continue on aromasin, I am on the greenstone generic and take it at night. I get achy knees but think it is from age.

Rayofsun

Jun 16, 2012 09:46PM camillegal wrote:

Oh kira I hope they stay that way for u.

Jun 17, 2012 10:38PM mybee333 wrote:

Am wondering ......since Aromasin is in some ways a steroid, would that make a difference with mood?

Jun 17, 2012 10:52PM mybee333 wrote:

How about muscle definition.  That would be nice...........

Jun 18, 2012 12:13AM fondak wrote:

Did any of you see improvement after the first 6 weeks on it?  If so, was it with sleep, joint pain, fatigue or a combination of side effects that improved for you?  Was it a dramatic improvement? 

My doctor told me to give it 6 weeks and I should feel better and that the fatigue was due to me just finishing radiation but I can now tell that the fatigue is from aromasin.  I stopped taking it when I had my surgery for 2 weeks.  I've been back on it 3 weeks and I am very tired.  The second week off of it I felt remarkably better and that was 7 days after having my uterus and ovaries removed.  I had energy, no joint pain and I could sleep.  I'm hoping she was right about the 6 week period but I'm beginning to wonder.