HELP with natural remedies for side effects of Estrogen Blockers

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Maryellen6
Maryellen6 Member Posts: 17
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

Hello to all..I also posted in the section for hormone therapy but thought this would also be a great place to ask the below questions. I am constantly searching for natural remedies for getting my life back after breast cancer and any suggestions would be appreciated.

.I could really use some advise and have been reading this site for almost a year. In April of 2013 I was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, stage 2B, grade 2 with 3 cancerous lymph nodes involved. I had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction, silicone implants. Six days after the implant exchange I had pulmonary embolisms  (blood clots in the lungs) and was hospitalized for three days and am now on Coumadin for 6-12 months. In January I started the estrogen blocker Arimedex (was ER and PR positive and Her2 NEGATIVE). Well I lasted 3 weeks on the Arimedex because of the bone and muscle pain which was debilitating. So my MO changed it to Femara, which I have been on almost two months. The symptoms are just as bad, if not worse. Every day I struggle to move and I am only 66. I was fit as a fiddle before the BC DX and never, ever, had knee problems or trouble moving. Now I feel like I am 90 years old and hate what my life has come to. I was given a script to try the third AI-Aromasin (Exemestane) but did not fill it because the cost was 4 times what the other two drugs are and appear to have the same side effects. Now I am rethinking that and might try it just to see if I get some relief...if there is any such thing.

I am actively searching for something to take to offset the muscle pain, achiness side effects in my legs, hands and arms and back. I cannot take ibyprofen because I am on Coumadin so can only take Tylenol, which does nothing at all. The only thing for relief is a heating pad which I cannot  do all day long. What do any of you do to help offset the side effects? I do sometimes have insomnia but I take the pill first thing in the morning so it is not to bad on that end. But this (these) drugs are driving me crazy and I just can't imagine taking them for five whole years.

Any advise would be welcome.  Thanks so much to all of you on this crazy mixed up journey.

Mary Ellen

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2014

    There are several threads in the other forum in which you posted about dealing with the SE's of the AI's.  Lots of good information there.

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  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited March 2014

    Sorry you're going through this - I too was a victim of the AIs, bailed out early on both Femera and Arimidex but recently started on Aromasin - I am taking the generic Exemestane and it is a lot more tolerable than the other two - I live in Canada though so not paying a whole lot for the prescription - I am sure though you can find a discount card from the drug company to help with cost.  Sunflowers is right - go on the existing threads for the AIs and pick up tips on how to cope - good luck!

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  • savgigi
    savgigi Member Posts: 376
    edited March 2014

    I am the opposite of 208sandy. I had a terrible time with aromasin and arimidex but am doing well on femara for 4 months now. Read the other threads for suggestions on dealing with SEs. Don't give up until you have tried them all. Many women find they can tolerate one of the AIs but not others.

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  • Morgans_Mom
    Morgans_Mom Member Posts: 4
    edited May 2014

    Hi, Mary Ellen.

    I've been on Arimidex since February 2014 and experienced vomiting, nausea, extreme fatigue, dizziness etc.  I did not want to take more drugs for the side effects so I went to an Ayurveda center and completed a 7-day cleanse (Panchakarma).  The side effects disappeared almost overnight.  I've had the best night's sleep since the first treatment.

    Two weeks ago, I started to have pain on my thumbs and wrists (both hands).  The pain fluctuates from low to very high.  I am going to consult with the doctor at the Ayurveda center (he is also an MD) and see what kind of Ayurvedic treatment would be good for my joint pain.  I will start my bi-weekly maintenance treatments starting next week just to ensure that my energy level and vitality is sustained.

    I hope this helps.

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  • MiracleMileM
    MiracleMileM Member Posts: 103
    edited May 2014

    I take arimidex generic.  For the achy legs, try 1,000 mg of aceytl L-carnitine - 2 500 mg pills - with 300 mg alpha lipoic acid.  1 500 mg aceytl l-carnitine didn't do it but 2 did.  And immediately.   A huge difference. 

    For the joint pain and stiffness, this is what I take:  zyflamend whole body, curcumin 4 grams - 2 of the phytosome and 2 of the C-3 formula, boswellia serrata 425 grams, hyaluronic acid, 200 mg., 2 time released tablets containing a total of 600 mg. glucosamine, 600 MSM, and 400 chondroitin, and omega 3 totalling EPA 800 mg and 400 DHA.   I think the arimidex triggers any small arthritis going on and really magnifies it.  I was stage IV met at diagnosis 6-1/2 years ago - ER 85% PR 20% HER2+++ - but hae been NED for over 5-1/2 years.  Per my oncologist, I am on arimidex in perpetuity. I like the sound of perpetuity.   Since 30-40% of stage IV Her2 positive end up with brain mets and herceptin does not pass the blood-brain barrier, I also take the curcumin which does pass through also for its anti tumor effects.

    Exercise and stretching helps.  Walking around and stretching when I get up ratchets me down from age 95 creakiness to my 74 age.


     

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  • Kudra
    Kudra Member Posts: 85
    edited May 2014

    I'm on Arimidex and Faslodex together. I take a quality calcium, magnesium, zinc combo with D3. I also juice a couple times a week. Just whatever I feel like. Beets, carrots, apples, kale etc.

    I know it's different for everyone, but the first three months or so were the worst. The side effects lessened after  a while for me. I do still have weird aches that move around. Like, one week my wrist will hurt. Next week, knees. Ankles, elbow, arm. I do take coq10 but get lazy about it. It does help. Good luck to you. I hope you get some more useful answers. 

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  • Kudra
    Kudra Member Posts: 85
    edited May 2014

    I'm on Arimidex and Faslodex together. I take a quality calcium, magnesium, zinc combo with D3. I also juice a couple times a week. Just whatever I feel like. Beets, carrots, apples, kale etc.

    I know it's different for everyone, but the first three months or so were the worst. The side effects lessened after  a while for me. I do still have weird aches that move around. Like, one week my wrist will hurt. Next week, knees. Ankles, elbow, arm. I do take coq10 but get lazy about it. It does help. Good luck to you. I hope you get some more useful answers. 

    I have a friend that drinks aloe juice regularly and it helps her a lot with her aches and pains. 

    I think Miraclemile has some great answers! I'm going to try them all! Anything that reduces inflammation, obviously. 

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