Aromatase Inhibitors--Dizziness, Vertigo and Balance Issues

dibel

I'm posting here to see if anyone has experienced dizziness, vertigo or balance issues while on any of the Aromatase Inhibitors, especially Aromasin.  I had this problem with Femara and was taken off and switched to Aromasin.  I constantly feel off balance, sort of like I'm floating but my body isn't floating with me.  Has anyone had this type of problem or am I just a bit crazy?  I'm wondering if the Aromasin has caused a problem with my inner ear.  Does that sound weird? 

JustJudi

Once in a while I sometimes loose my balance, but it is usually if I bend over and rise to fast.

The one thing  I have quite a bit is a sound like a electrical current in my ears, this started about three months ago, and is very annoying. I,ve been on Aromasine for 7 months so I am not sure if it is the medication or not. But your balance is controlled by your inner ear, so it is quite possible it is the Aromasine, I wonder if anyone else has these symptoms, it would be interesting to know.   

dibel

I also have the ringing in my ears.  Noticed it when everything was very quiet in my home.  I hope it's not permanent damage.

mcgaffey

I have this with Arimidex. It is lack of estrogen, I think. I had it and then it got better and now its back and I am concerned. I experienced it after a year on Arimidex. I have now been on for 3 years and this is the first really bump in the road that makes me want to quit for sure.

dibel

Mcgaffey,

Would you be kind enough to specify your symptoms? 

mcgaffey

Tinnitus, feeling of floating from time to time, full ears. Two years ago I had vertigo and went to a doctor and was treated with the epley maneuver and had brain scan to see if I had tumor. I was fine. I have never had vertigo since but now have this persistent tinnitus which began at the time of the vertigo and on and off dizziness. I know this is my inner ear but I also think it is lack of estrogen brought on by taking Arimidex. I also think it is a weakness of mine, this ear problem. Arimidex affects our weaknesses as we age.

dibel

Your symptoms are almost identical to mine. I feel like I'm falling off a mountain--sort of like floating for a second or two and then it's over.  This is happening to me maybe a 100 times a day.  I also had a MRI of my brain which was negative.  Recently I had cataract surgery and wondered if it was caused by that.  But I'm sure it isn't.  Have you discussed this with oncologist?  And are you still taking Arimidex? 

mcgaffey

Yes, I am still taking it. I have discussed but when I see him next, I will have a longer conversation because it is really affecting my QOL. I don't like this at all. I really want to do the whole program. I had lump, radiation, etc. And I have been going along with the program until now.I walk, eat the right things, keep my weight down, take supplements and can manage aches and pains. This is different. I work full time. I really do think the balance issue is a weakness of mine and it runs in the family with much older women. But, the medication is making it worse and bringing it on earlier.

dibel

I am really sorry you are dealing with this but so relieved to know that I am not alone with the bizarre symptoms.  How often are you experiencing the symptoms?  Just curious, did you also do chemo or were you an early stage 1? 

karen1956

not one of the side effects I had with Aromasin...lots of others but no dizziness or vertigo...could the balance be neuropathy?

hbcheryl

I take Femara and I've also had the ringing/buzzing in the ear it comes and goes and my pcp told me that if you look at all the side effects it's there but it's like .0002% and I get the dizziness but only in my exercise classes, I do a class called Body Pump and when I'm laying down and I turn my head sideways to look at the instructor I get the dizziness and also when I do yoga I get it but if I just turn my head straight and close my eyes it dissapates.

mcgaffey

I hear you all. I didn't have chemo. I basically have tinnitus all the time. I am getting used to it. Balance stuff is around if I am not moving much. If I walk fast , move around, dance etc. I am fine. If I sit, take a shower, hang clothes on the line, I can experience episodes. I am also getting used to it. I am more aware when I go up and down stairs. I use the rail. Just in case. But I walk to work and home every day and I am fine. I really don't like this.

dibel

How interesting--I don't have the balance issues when I exercise.  Can ride my bike, do yoga, walk, whatever, without the problem.  But doing things around the house, being at the computer--those are things that set me off.  Also noticed it is worse when I'm tired. 

I do hope we hear from some others with the same symptoms. 

Bren-2007

Dibel .. you aren't crazy.   I had this problem while on Arimidex.  It was so bad, I couldn't drive or keep my balance when walking.  I quit taking it after one week.

Hugs,

Bren

EDITED TO ADD:  I had a previous total hysterectomy and my dx was early Stage I, so I made the choice not to take Tamoxifen (which I also tried) and HT.

Lynn1

Hi, I have started taking Faslodex, which is another hormone treatment.  After the 2nd treatment, I started feeling lightheaded/woozy all the time.  I had a brain MRI which was clear.  I saw an ENT and he ruled out any inner ear issues.  I've had my thyroid checked, my blood sugar, and my BP - all are okay.  It HAS to the be Faslodex I guess.  I hate this feeling too - like you, it is affecting my QOL at times.  I had to stay home from work one day because I thought I was going to faint so often - didn't think I should be driving.  I guess I don't have much to offer except to say that you are not alone.  Best of luck to you!

mmm5

Hi Dibel

I have the exact same symptoms, started over a month ago. It is a combination of lack of estrogen and inflammation in neck, jaw joint and that throws off inner ear. You can google this. I also thought brain mets, then MS and I did not even get a brain MRI. I have had so many scans the last year for fear of mets that I just decided to not do this one. I have seen a dentist and GP, and ONC, ENT. I had my ears tested as well. The bottom line is that there is huge joint in there by middle ear that gets thrown off just like our other joints that are experiencing lack of estrogen problems. Try a good cranial massage and Jaw massage, have your ears checked. I believe this to be another one of those ridiculous things I have to deal with now that I am early menopausal.

I had almost started a thread on this and then decided to just deal with it, as I was so afraid as well.

Keep me posted we can learn about this. You know what else struck me is I had my eyes tested and the Doctor said OHHHHH your eyes are so dried out ( I am only 44) you need eye drops daily. I asked why and he stated that it was hormonal changes.........sigh!

dibel

Well thank goodness I posted here because I honestly thought I was the only one. 

I've never heard of a cranial massage but will google it. 

Thanks for your updates...

Everlastpink

Just chiming in to say I had a bit of vertigo when I was on Armidex.  I went to the ENT and he called it BPPV (I think?) and did the Epelay maneuver (sp?), which took care of it.  I have not had trouble since then, although the ENT said that once you have this (inner ear problem, I believe) you have a tendency to have it again.

After 1 year on Armidex my onco just switched me to Aromasin, for other reasons.  I also had the BSO, last summer, so I had "instapause."  You are not alone!

ktn

This is an interesting post because I just started to have a few issues with dizziness in the am when I get out of bed, I feel like the room is spinning for a minute then I'm up and ok. I have been on Arimidex for 15 months. I know dizziness is a side effect of Arimidex. I'm finding that as some issues improve as time goes on, newer ones like this appear! Now that it is hot out my hands feel tighter too but the bone pain is better. Years before breast cancer I would have days with these dizzy episodes then all would be well, almost like a virus issue. Work has also been stressful this past week so maybe my body is acting up! I do agree that lack of estrogen is hard on us!

rubytuesday

Femara (just had my 4th year anniversary....hopefully just one more year to go) and yes on the dizziness and feeling 'off balance'....I've often termed it vertigo so yes, yes, and yes!

Welga

I've had dizziness since 1 year prior to diagnostic. After lots of exams and specialists mine are from disc problems in my neck. Went on a message board about dizzyness. People where talking about using Ativan to get rid of dizinees, it's the only thing that worked for me. Take it first thing in the morning on empty somach and if needed in the afternoon. Very small doses. Helps a lot

Welga

aussieched

hello all the ladies who have posted above,

I have been going crazy the last 2.5 weeks.  Out of the blue I have started to experience terible dizziness, vertigo.  Started after doing about an hour of ironing where I was constantly looking down at the ironing board.  I stopped and rested (haven't done any more) and thought it would go away.  Within an hour the room was spinning around, went to bed, had the day of from work (never do this) as the spinning was still happening.  It resolved and I thought all was well, however it came back a few days later and I have now had it for the last 13 days, without let up.  I am on Femara and am just starting into my 4th year.  Had so many problems that I have never experienced before, tendonitis, foot pain, neck pain, back pain, asthma.  My onc did mention after CT scans 3 years ago that I did have a lot of arthritis in my neck.  Could the femara now be exacerbting to the point of now having vertigo.  It is relentless, can't exercise any more as I fell over in the street, can't concentrate at work, probably should not be driving, can't really function doing anything.  I am waiting on a GP appointment, however 4 week wait to get in to see anyone.

After reading all of your posts above, can anyone confirm if they are now free from vertigo after going off Femara?  I really don't want to do that as I am high risk of recurrence, however I can't live like this.  I also had oophorectomy so maybe my estrogen is also low, however my docs don't test for levels.  What can I do  I have read above that someone mentioned Epelay manoeuvre.  What is that?  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

ched

aussieched

Hi mmm5,

Well I am still having trouble with being dizzy/vertigo for most of the time.  The ENT  could not find anything wrong with my ears.  In desperation went and had a craniosacral massage. I felt better for a couple of days, however the dizziness is back again.  I am due for my second massage tomorrow. Were you able to keep your dizziness at bay with the craniosacral massages.  I have now been totally dizzy for 2 months and am starting to panic that I won't be able to get rid of it.  Not quality of life that is for sure.  Maybe it is the Femara afterall?  I am still taking the Femara at this stage as my GP went mad when I said I was going to stop taking it as I wanted to see it that was the cause.  Anyone else have any suggestions.  I thought maybe a lack of estrogen as I had my ovaries out, plus on Femar.

ched

imbell

Am on Tamoxifen and spinning like a top. GP said it could be from the effects of radiation. I have a very stiff neck and going to try massage therapy. Also he is sending me for a CT of the brain as I am Stage IV although I have no vision problems or pain in the head. Am due for other scans at the end of March.

Laurie_R

dibel, like you I was on Femara and was switched to Aromasin. My vertigo started up shortly after I changed medications.  It was so bad that I went to the ER. There I was diagnosed with "Positional Vertigo" which has to do with the inner ear. I still have dizzy spells, only mine are different then what you describe.  When I have a spell the whole room is spinning.  This has been going on for about 5 months.

weety

Every once in a while I get a dizzy sensation, too, usually when I move my head around quickly.  It doesn't usually last, though.  I think I would be much more concerned if it was lasting.

Char2010

I have been on Arimidex since Sept 2010 - often have a light-headed / floating feeling.

Adrianagalainena

I have been on Aromasin since August of 2012, since then, I have experienced Vertigo, Ringing in the ears(tinitus) left ear.  Just about everything problem is on my left side.

I have had jaw pain left side, left shoulder and arm pain but like an electrical pain that runs to my left wrist. I went to the emergency room back in Sept. thinking it was a heart attack or stroke. But, I was fine just a little low in potassium which has been corrected. Thus, all of this is due to Aromasin.

Any comments, I will appreciate it.  By the way, I am losing my hair and it thinning terribly.  I don't know if to cut it short now.  I seem to have balding spots in the back of my head but with long hair I try to do the TRUMP style, LOL!

Thanks,

Adriana

Sylvia1000

I had to stop taking Femara after just two weeks because I had vertigo and dizziness to the point of nausea. I had to take anti nausea meds just to keep from throwing up. As all the recommended meds are all aromatose inhibitors, I don't know what my options are moving forward. I am checking with my oncologist. it is so disabling that I cannot continue for now. I know there's tamoxifen which also has a bazillion side effects. Thinking of ditching the whole plan. So grateful for these posts because of course they said they had never ever heard of this as a side effect.

Also, I added my dx, but it never posts: I am HR/PR + Her 2 negative. Stage 1 grade 3 no lymph nodes clear margins. Lumpectomy, 4 rounds of chemo,6 weeks of radiation.

MargoChanning

Hi Sylvia - I had very similar reaction to Femara (Letrozole) the first year. I had started with Anastrazole, after one month of insomnia switched to Letrozole and slept somewhat better but I started having nausea in the mornings about 2 hours after taking the drug which lasted several hours. Then I developed episodes of dizziness after about 5 months that escalated into day long Vertigo episodes. After the 2nd Vertigo episode that lasted 8 hours and ruined weekend plans with friends I emailed my MO and he referred me to an ENT to rule out sinus/inner ear. I got the all clear from the ENT so the MO instructed me to take a 3-4 week break and see if it went away. It did, and he said you can go back to Anastrazole (no thanks) or try Exemestane (I'd already read about worse insomnia with that so no thanks) so I switched to taking Letrozole at night before bed with other supplements. That has worked for me for the most part; I still have small fleeting episodes of dizziness but nothing like I did when taking it in the morning. I switched to Anastrazole about 2 years ago for a little over a year to see if the joint pain would be any better but it worsened and I also developed eye problems and arthritis. Went back to Letrozole in April last year and I'm heading to the five year finish line in October this year. Good luck to you; I completely sympathize with your situation. Seems like there are no good alternatives with these drugs.