Just diagnosed, questions about aromitase inhibitors

Muchiesmom,

Dont make a decision based solely on what you read online. Even on these threads you will see more of the negative than positive. Women with little or no side effects rarely post about it.

Get your full diagnosis and talk to your doctors about everything they recommend. Ask about the pros and cons, long and short term risks,etc.

I’m on an AI and am managing side effects. Regardless of your decision, if you don’t already, start exercising. Exercise will help you through the treatments and the afterwards.

There is a thread called Doing Well on Aromatase Inhibitors- check it out

Munchiesmom...to answer your question, yes there are those that refuse to take them. I'm one of them. I do several things to lower my estrogen naturally. Its a very personal decision and I'm not trying to influence you either way. Good luck in your decision making.

munchiesmom - I am a HUGE believer in Aromatase Inhibitor drugs. My sister and I are both on them - me for 6 years, she for 2.5 years. We have joint pain sometimes - winter is the worst. BUT all things considered, it is worth it. We thank God every time we swallow the pill that it cuts our risk for recurrence. GOOD LUCK!

I was very hesitant about Ai's also as I believe I got breast cancer from 10 years of hormone replacement pills and went deaf in my 20's from antibiotics give to me when I was a little child -- i.e., I avoid drugs as much as I can. But with BC, my breast surgeon, and both my MO's (from different cancer centers) told me that of the 3 post surgery recommendations for me : chemo, radiation and AI's, the most important one for me was AI's. That was very persuasive. What finally did the trick was that it made sense to me that starting it did not commit me to anything: I could stop taking the AI if the SE's were unbearable. So I started letrozole in mid Feb of this year and I have only had some mild joint and muscle pain that comes and goes and is relieved to some extent by the supplement turmeric. And I am 73 (and already was getting some stiffness from arthritis prior to dx) and according to the insert with the drug, older patients like me should expect the worse SE's. So if you are younger, you may have no SE's at all. lt can't hurt to try the AI. You can always quit. Good luck with your decision. Polly

I had side effects with both anastrozole and exemestane. Different ones, exemestane I had weight gain and eye issues. Anastrozole I had very severe joint pain. I have been off at least 2 years but still have joint pain not nearly as bad.

I've been on Femara for 6 years and I hope I'm on it for another 60 or so. It's a very, very powerful weapon in the arsenal to keep the beast chained up in the cave. In the first few months I noticed some pain and stiffness in my hands and other joints, but either that's gone or I've just gotten used to it. Exercise helps a lot.

munch, your decision. ( aren't we all just "over" making decisions?!) What you read can be very scary. It comes down to what you believe is best risk vs benefit. As we have said a million times no matter what we do and until there is a cure, this disease can come back. Make the decision that will free your mind with the least worry possible.

I've been on AI for 2 months. Still early. Hot flash or 2 every night but no worse than with chemo. Sure joints hurt a little but I'm not sure if it's normal aches and pains I would have anyway, is it the med, or because I'm exercising so much. Not sure but considering stopping it. I feel really good!

Best wishes. Go with your gut and your decision should lead you to the least amount of worry possible

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