Life on aromasin

Brookside, I, too, made the switch from Arimidex to generic Aromasin. At about the one-year mark, I noticed gobs of hair in the shower. The top of my head is noticeably thinner. Even my hairdresser acknowledged it. I've been taking Biotin since my first chemo, so that's not helping. My derm gave me Viviscal, another supplement, but so far that's not helping. I started Nioxin shampoo but so far that hasn't helped. I may try Minoxidil. Iago can give us tips on that. 

It's pretty depressing, isn't it??

I too lost some hair with Arimidex, but am losing way more now that I am  on Aromasin. I probably have about 50% less hair than I had when it first came in after chemo. My hair was thin and fine to begin with, so this is really disheartening. I have been using minoxidil and am going to start a new shampoo that is supposed to block DHT in the scalp. My testosterone levels were elevated with my last round of blood work. I hope it works, otherwise I will be back to wearing my wig 

This is what I found one DHT and hair loss:

Hair loss is a condition that can affect many people, including both men and women of all ages. While there are a number of different root causes of hair loss, one of the key causes of this condition is DHT or Dihydrotestosterone. This hormone is an androgen that can play a huge part in hair loss, causing the condition known as pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia. It is produced by a metabolic modification of the hormone testosterone.

Often, this hormone production can be slowed down or eliminated by blocking the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. Different chemicals that can inhibit the enzyme are called DHT blockers. DHT blocker shampoo and other hair products contain ingredients that can reduce the production or accumulation of DHT, and by that slowdown hair loss that is a result of androgenic alopecia.

Propecia ? must tell you my story on that, I used to sell to Merck and one time my client told me that propecia was originally developed for prostrate cancer (or something else) till they realized it caused hair growth.

Head of Merck almost went ballestic thinking of all the $$$$ they would make on a hair growth product!

they do market the med for prostrate cancer, in a dif form I think but the revenue from a hair growth product?  made the CEO very excited!

The one thing exemestane has not done is too much damage to my head thank goodness. I am losing more hair in my brush but I have a lot of it and no noticeable difference in how much is there. But the other stuff....my co worker told me I walk like Frankenstein the o ther day!! She was kidding but not really, cause I can't put pressure on my left foot at all and my knees hurt so much when I first get up, that I walk like I am 100 years old. This shit stinks for sure!

All the aches and digestive problems I was having on tamoxifen are gone after a week on Aromasin:)

But when I wash my hair there is more in the plughole now - not noticable on my head though.

I'm doing zumba for exercise and lots of walking

x x

Thank you, RMulu!! 

walley,

Pop over to the aromasin topic and there are many women who have moved from anastrazole/arimidex.  I am one.

What are your eye problems?  These may be due to low estrogen, not an individual meds.  

Walley I was on Anastrozole for 3 years. This spring I switched to Exemestane due to terrible depression, sleep issues, back/shoulder/neck pain. Yeah it's $$$ but I'm not going back. I feel like me again. I noticed the change in like 2 days! 

I do notice a bit more hair shedding and a little sweatier but that's it. My night flashes were never that bad… and I get them from eating spicy food so sort of my own fault. 

Thanks Ladies!I was a little afraid to switch drugs but from what you ladies say it is definety worth a try:)Thanks so much for you input I knew I could count on you ladies!Have a great week end!I will start the new pills today:)I will let you know how it is going!

I did take a 5 week break before starting Exemestane. I noticed my eye lashes grew back more. Still pretty good on Exemestane.

I'm curious to know how much you guys pay for the generic exemestane?  I get a 3 month supply for $15.  Prior to that I was on tamoxifen and it was the same price.

you have much better insurance than I had when working, mine was more but not sure anymore!

Under my insurance before my deductible is met I pay $342 (CVS) or if I go through GoodRX with coupon and not use my insurance it's $210 (CVS). Once I meet my deductible I think its $50 (CVS).

That's for 1 months supply

or $519.31 for 90 days mail order

I pay 210.00 (which is part of my deductible but my employer gives us all of the deductible except 500 on a credit card we use) and then it is a 15.00 copay if I use all of the credit card deductible. The deductible for my husband and I is 6K but they give me 5500.00 of it so I have not had to pay anything so far thank goodness!