Exemestane (Aromasin)

Aromatase Inhibitors
I just read your profile and was surprised that you are a grandma. You are so young and look so great, hair or no hair and your grandbaby is precious. Now to your question. I'm on Arimidex, which is a sister to Exemstane and Femara. The only side effect of which I'm certain is joint pain in my wrists, hands, and fingers. Occasionally, I have leg aches at night but arthritis strength Tylenol takes care of that. I am having some problems with depression, but like you, I've just recently suffered a loss. So whether my depression is meds related or situational, I don't know. My PA told me that for many women, taking Arimidex is like taking a daily vitamin, with no side effects at all. So I guess you'll need to take a wait and see attitude. Of course, as breast cancer surivors we know what waiting is like. Yuk! But, that's the way it is. Take care kiddo. Keep posting. All of us on this site are here for you and if we can help, we will try. Hugs, Marilynn

cnwrn said:

Thanks for your reply
Jadie:

Thanks for the comment on my grandson and the loss of my Mom.

I am glad to hear that you have had no side effects from the Aromasin. I have read some research studies and know how many side effects there can be (one study had 38 listed). I know bone pains can be a side effect of the med, but like you say, a low Vitamin D level can also be a cause. I worry about the side effects because I had such an unusually hard time with the chemo (even though I know that doesn't mean I will have any trouble with the Aromasin). I just want to know what others experiences have been for a drug I will have to be on for 5 years. I have never had to be on medication for a long period of time. The only med I really take is Prilosec for reflux and that is only when I need it. (Being a nurse, I know how lucky I am to not be on many meds. Some people take so many meds it is unbelievable!)

Take Care,

Cathy

aromasin
I've been on this drug for almost three years now. I went on it after surgical menapause done to rule out ovarian cancer, which fortunately I didn't have. At the time the bottle said it may cause drowsiness, so I took it at night. Since then, I've read a number of posts saying that it caused folks to have problems sleeping. Sure enough, when I switched to taking it with breakfast I woke up less at night. I have had very few side effects with the drug. It did not lower my LDL like tamoxifen did, so I'm having to watch my eating habits now. It did seem to be causing some inflamation of my toe joints for a year or so there. A nurse practioner told me to go get my vitamin D tested. It was low and getting on the prescription D 3 brought my level up to normal and my feet finally quite ouching. The orthodics probably didn't hurt either. Now I take the over-the-counter D3 from the health food store. When I skip days, the toes start hurting again. Go figure! I take two 1000 units of D3 every other day to try to keep things under control. It seems to work. I just was retested last week but the results aren't in yet. There are problems to taking too much Vitamin D, so please don't start popping pills without a blood test and a doctor's oversight first. Mind you, my general practictioner admits he doesn't know much about breast cancer and nothing at all about vitamin D problems. There's plenty in the oncology research that you could access as a nurse. Or just talk to your oncologist.

Good luck with the hot flashes! I turn on the ceiling fan in the summer and flip covers in the winter a lot. A wet bandana on my neck helps alot when I hike on hot days. There is a bright side to them. Hot flashes mean you don't have to run to the bathroom in the winter with cold feet! Just wait a few minutes and they will be warm as toast, then hop out of bed...

C. Abbott