Exemestane

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Marilu59
Marilu59 Member Posts: 1
in Breast Cancer #1

I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 111A last July 27, 2013. I had a single right breast mastectomy. I went thru chemo and now I am having my 33 seeions of radiation. They started my exemestane last March 28, 2014. I am itching all over my body and my face is also swollen and ithcy. I called up my Oncologist; and was adivsed to stop the medicine. My querstion is, is there any substitute for this medicine? I am pretty sure my doctor will give me another med.

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  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #2
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    Yes, anastrozole (armidex)

    Yes, anastrozole (armidex) and letrozole (femara) are very similar and will really help reduce your risk of a recurrence if you had an estrogen receptor positive tumor.  Tamoxifen is also still a good choice, although a little less effective if you are postmenopausal.  There is also faslodex.   All of these drugs work by keeping the cancer from using your estrogen as fuel and are very effective.  I should know because I was first diagnosed with an estrogen receptor positive breast cancer 27 years ago (Stage 3 A).  Over the years, I have been on nearly all of them and they have really worked to keep me going. 

    Here is a link describing all of the drugs used in hormone therapy: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal

    Good luck and I am so sorry that you had such a bad adverse effect!  Hoping they find the right one for you soon!!!

     

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #3
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    Hi Marilu59
    and welcome. Hopefully you will find many caring, supportive men and women who are so willing to share information. I just started on Exemestane (Aromasin) after being on Femara. So far no side effects on the Aromasin. There is Femara and Arimadex, which also block the hormones. I was on Tamoxifen to begin with, but that was toxic to my system. Then did Femara and within 3 days, I was in so much bone, joint, and muscle pain. Arimadex is in the same family as Femara, so we chose the Aromison.
    There are others on this site who are on Femara and Arimadex who have done very well on each of them. I am just so happy that we do have choices.
    I wish you the best and am glad you found this site.
    Carol

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