Life on aromasin

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  • Canela
    Canela Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2017

    Thank you, CCS. That really sucks about the SEs being cumulative. I'm glad that stopping the aromasin is helping.

    The pounding heartbeat seems to be going away. When I saw my MO, she said it could either be the Lupron or the aromasin. My heart rate was normal the night before I saw her, and since then I've only experienced the pounding hearbeat once. My bp has been normal throughout.

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  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,664
    edited October 2017

    Good news Canela.

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  • MagicThinking
    MagicThinking Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2017

    Hello friends,I am writing to you to have your thoughts . I was diagnosed in 2012, had chemo (4 x TC), 2 years of Tamox and now just finished my third year on Aromasin. I have horrible SE: foggy brain, pain in both hands (hard time to write), low energy... I stopped it two weeks ago. Note that before Aromasin, I tried both Femara and Anastrosole. I saw my onco last Friday, who, to my surprise, was not hard on me for stopping it. She told me that with the Chemo, and the 2 years plus 3 years of treatment, I gave myself a good chance. That my quality of life was important also. That people who follows the whole treatment sometimes have recurrence , like I could myself. Today I feel worried, and I was wondering if any of you faced a situation like this? Note that my energy is at its top, almost no more pain in my hands, and my brain starts working again, which is a good thing as I am an entrepreneur with no net if things do not work.... Thank you for reading me.

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited October 2017

    I've been on generic aromasin since May and went thru the trigger finger first which a shot of cortizone helped. Most recently severe irritability and anger. I feel like I;m always in fight mode. I know anxiety is a s/e., maybe fight or flight anxiety,

    Took myself off the pill. Emailed my psych to see if she has a medication to help me.

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  • KimE
    KimE Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2017

    How long does it take before you notice the side effects of aromasin? I'm currently on day 2.

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited October 2017

    within the first month for me, started with pain in the feet, then woke up with a stiff finger called a trigger finger which my doc gave me a shot of cortisone and it went away. these things i was able to tolerate with walking and ibuprofen., plus take the pill in the morning with food. it's the uncontrollable anger and irritability that i just recently recognized in public that made me stop and take notice. talking with psych on monday to add a med to help. hang in there.

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited October 2017

    yes, fight or flight anxiety., with me always in fight mode., very exhausting. felt dizzy standing too.

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  • KimE
    KimE Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2017

    Well chemo left me with pain in my hands and feet, fatigue, dizziness, and anxiety attacks so I hope that I don't get any other SE's with the Aromasin.

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited October 2017

    the chemo for bc is harsh. you might be okay with the aromasin. i would take it in the morning with food. wishing you no other s/e's., you've had more than enough. take care.

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  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,664
    edited October 2017

    MagicThinking, I hope you will have better health after stopping, glad to hear your oncologist was very supportive and positive regarding your decision. Please let us know how you are doing. Remember this decision is the right one for now. You can only work on the situation you have now, and you are making the best decision based on the information available to you at this time. If in the future you feel you need to reconsider, you can still do that. So you are not closing any doors here, just taking a pause and seeing if it is beneficial. XXX

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  • MagicThinking
    MagicThinking Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2017

    Thank you for your kind words Feelingfeline. They are soothing for me.

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  • bravepoint
    bravepoint Member Posts: 404
    edited October 2017

    KimE ; I have been taking Aromasin for just over a month and really haven't noticed any SEs. Maybe a bitter more stiffness esp first thing in the morning but walking and stretching help.

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  • Suz-Q
    Suz-Q Member Posts: 205
    edited October 2017

    I was on Arimidex for 20 months and just switched to aromasin two weeks ago. My body ached and my feet were hurting terribly.After two weeks on aromasin my achy body and hurting feet feel normal again! I hope it last for the next 3 years and 4 months that I have to be on this drug.

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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited October 2017

    Suz-Q, I am doing well on exemestane vs anastrozole. Hopefully you will be the same.,

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  • meg2016
    meg2016 Member Posts: 287
    edited October 2017

    I recently switched the brand of generic I am on for exemestane and I do think its made a difference and my side effects are less. Its only been a couple of weeks, so I am going to try another month on this brand and see how it goes.

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  • Suz-Q
    Suz-Q Member Posts: 205
    edited October 2017

    Thanks Molly! I'm really feeling better.

    Has anyone noticed weight gain immediately after starting Aromasin? I've gained 3 lbs over the last two and a half weeks since starting on this one. I've either eaten to much food and salt or I have a problem with the med. My nurse friend said that rapid weight gain is usually just water retention

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  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,664
    edited October 2017

    SuzQ I gained weight on tamoxifen, despite not changing my diet to eat more etc - went from slim to having a middle aged spare tyre. Haven't shed any on aromasin.

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  • bravepoint
    bravepoint Member Posts: 404
    edited October 2017

    SuzQ - My weight has stayed the same on Aromasin. I lost 15 lbs (and I was thin to begin with) over the past year of chemo and then rads.

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  • Suz-Q
    Suz-Q Member Posts: 205
    edited November 2017

    Hi Everyone,

    Just checking back to say that my weight gain was temporary and it was the salt saturated food that did it. I'm back to normal! So far so good on Aromasin

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  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,664
    edited November 2017

    Yaay, hope you continue well Suz-Q.

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  • Suz-Q
    Suz-Q Member Posts: 205
    edited November 2017

    Thanks feelingfeline, I hope I do too! Btw, I love your name

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited November 2017

    Hi:

    I thought I would give you an update. I took some time to try Letrozole and Anastrozole, and the side effects were harsh the first week.

    So, I'm back on aromasin. wish me luck.

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  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,664
    edited November 2017

    image

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited November 2017

    thanks feelingfeline. I have a furry home health nurse to help me through.

    See photo attached.

    image

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  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,664
    edited November 2017

    Ah pabbie! She's gorgeous. Have you been over to the cat lovers thread yet?


    In case you are interested this is it

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/156/topic...


    xxx

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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited November 2017

    Good luck, pabbie. I switched from anastrozole to exemestane because the SE's were horrific for me.

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited November 2017

    A nice e-mail from my oncologist:

    Thank you for restarting the aromasin. Our goal is to never have the cancer return. I want to make sure we continue to treat the cancer!

    Have a happy Thanksgiving.

    Feelingfeline: Yes, I've seen the cat thread., very cute kitties.

    Molly50: Thank you for the encouragement. :)

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited November 2017

    Restarted the aromasin 2 weeks ago. Does anyone get chronic sore throats? Fatigue, and sweating. I don't know if it's the change in weather or the holiday stress? I'm a slug and don't feel like doing anything.

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  • feelingfeline
    feelingfeline Member Posts: 5,664
    edited November 2017

    Pabbie I find I take colds harder than anyone else in the family ever since chemo. Currently "slugging" through one that DD breezed through in a couple of days. Thank goodness that was the case for her as she had a ballet exam!

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  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited November 2017

    thanks feelingfeline, ever since chemo, my immune system is compromised. The aromasin has me slugging around too. Feeling better today., but it takes me 2 days of rest to recuperate. Weird.

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