I want to quit Aromasin

I was on Aromasin for almost 7months.  At the 3 month mark the SEs kicked in.....by January I was on the couch with so much joint pain, depression, insomnia (2hrs of sleep a night) and heart palpitations.  Thats the the top of the list.  My Onc told me to go off of them.  Its been a bit over 2 weeks, and the SEs are still there.  Diminished a little, but the joint pain is still there.  Im 54 and feel like im 90.  Im done. Im so done.  I feel no guilt or fear of going off this drug and not going on another.  None.  They dont know if AIs prevent a recurrence.  People have been dx while on AIs as we all have read about here on this forum.  There are no guarantees.  If I cant be happy, enjoy my life, take care of my family and feel good.....then there is no point in living.  Its called quality of life.  I cannot wait till I feel better again.  Tho the nurse I spoke to the other day at my Oncs office told me that sometimes the AI can trigger underlying health issues that dont go away.  That is enough for me to not try another.  My SEs were severe - if they werent I might still be taking them.  Its such a personal choice, one only you have to live with.  But Im done being a human guinea pig.  The fact is, they dont know the effects of this drug long term, or if it even helps prevent another cancer.  They just dont know. My body is rejecting this - and im respecting that.  

I wish you peace with your decision.

Hi All,

I just want to say how sorry I am that some of you are suffering so on the AIs - so much so that you really do want your life back. We are all on our own journey but I jwant to relate how I have managed to work through some of the intense pain associated with these drugs. I am now into my 3rd year on AIs - 1.5 years on Arimidex and 1.5 years so far on Aromasin. I think many ONCs don't think outside the box: they simply say you need to stay on the AI. What they don't do is work with you when you run into life altering side effects. In my case, I already had 3 herniated discs in my neck which went nuclear with the arthritis that the AIs bring on. I had carpel tunnel in both wrists at the same time. I have all sorts of aches and pains. Swollen feet. The blues. However, I worked with my PC as well as my onc on pain managment so that I feel good. I take ocycodone when needed; I take a lorazapam or diazapam to reduce muscle spasms and sleeplessness. All in all, I find these drugs quite helpful,. I also exercise a lot. I do mediation, yoga.

I am mindful not only of my family and children, but also of my own desire to live a joyful life. I fight. When I am particularly down or faltering, I come here to this site to find strength and wisdom.

I hope that all of you who are suffering don't quit withour first trying pain management in a serious way. I am also a big beliver in treating any sort of depression with drugs that can help that. I wish you all peace and joy and good health whatever you decide.

Best, Beau

I did 3 yrs of tamoxifen then 2 months aromasin, which I then quit. That was over a year ago. I'm now 5-1/2 years away from diagnosis and have had no issues. I feel good that I'm exercising and eating a great healthy diet and rarely worry about BC anymore

Hi Kathy,

This thread is old, and the weekend is often quiet on the boards. You may not get many responses. I follow another Aromasin thread, "Life on Aromasin", which is fairly active https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/...

I started Aromasin in March of 2015. Had a lot of joint pain: wrist, knees, back, hips... My knee swelled so much that it could not bend. I literally moved like a 90 year old woman with arthritis... I have now switched to Femara(Letrozole), which has been much easier on me. Have you considered switching?

I think that quality of life is key. Whatever your decision, you are doing what makes the most sense for you. There is no simple right answer. I wish you happiness.

I've decided to switch from Aromasin to Femara today, with my oncologist help. Tamoxifen would have interactions with my antidepressants. So, I'm willing to see if my joy for life returns. I'm so fatigued, depressed, and overweight I'm hoping for a change without quitting the AI's.