Aromatase Inhibitors

mary625

I know there's a whole thread on Femara and a bunch of info on AI's in another forum, but I think you can all sympathize with the lack of time to keep up with all the threads that affect me. I must admit that I have not been in that forum because until now, I've been doing well on Femara since March 2012, and I have so many other issues to keep up with including my recent reconstruction. Because of the reconstruction, I was off of Femara for a certain time, and I'm due to take it again tonight. I had been having so much problem with short-term memory, fishing for words, not being able to remember why I went into a room, etc. I mentioned it at the last appointment with MO, and he considered it menopause-related with Femara adding an additional level of menopause (my words). After two weeks off the stuff, I feel so clear-headed! I am still not remembering proper names as well as I'd like, but in my mind there is a dramatic difference. I'm so unhappy to have to go back on it because I work and I'm also looking for a new job. My question is--could there be a different AI that would give me less of this side effect? Please share your experiences on Femara and other AI's.

This makes me so sad. Then there's the vivid dreams that no MO wants to attribute to Femara, but guess what--gone for a week or so!

karen1956

Mary...I tried all 3 AI's as well as tamox. I had side effects on all of them...On Arimidex I had horrid joint pain and carpel tunnel syndrome in both wrists....after 8 months, I said enough and tried Femara...the first two weeks were great, then the joint pain hit with a venegence. Next onto tamox....lots and lots of GI issues...3 months of it and said enough...Med onc gave me a couple week break as I had a big trip coming up and wanted to feel good. Next was Aromasin...different side effects...deQuervanes tendonitis....plus mood, memory and cognitive issues....I endured the Aromasin for 2 1/2 years....onc kept convincing me to stay on it....Finally after 3 1/2 years of suffering, I said enough is enough. My onc agreed to give me a couple month break. After 2 months I saw him and never went back on any of the AI's. That was 5 years ago. For me the side effects were just too great. My QOL is definitely better off the meds. I still see my onc every 6 months.

Please remember though, that some gals have NO side effects or if they do, they go way after a few months. I agree with kayb...talk to your onc about trying a different AI and see how you do on it. All the best to you...

Momine

I have issues with the femara I am on, but I try to approach it with humor. It sucks, but the alternative kinda sucks worse, so I carry on.

mary625

I started back on it yesterday and had a long, vivid complex dream last night. Aaargh

Anonymous

I have a love/hate relationship with the AI's.  I took Arimidex for a year and had lots of side effects.  I have been taking the Femara for almost nine years and tolerate it okay, "tolerate" being the operative word.  Like Momine said above, the alternative sucks worse than the side effects!