Total Confusion

mgm42
mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have been given a 2 week break from Arimidex because of bone and joint pain and am going to be switched to Femara. However, I've been researching side effects of Arimidex, Femara and Aromasin (exemestane). From what I've read, the Aromasin may be the better of the three for not disturbing one's lipid profile. I have high LDL, low HDL, and high tri-glycerides. I called my doctor again this evening and left a message about the possibility of switching to Aromasin rather than Femara. Anyone have any experience with using Aromasin (side effects)and Femara (side effects)? I'm so confused. All I know is that I can't turn a door knob, open an easy open Tylenol bottle, or open a screw top lid because my wrists and hand/finger joints are so painful, so Aimidex is no longer an option. Any info you can share is appreciated. Thanks. Hugs, Marilynn

Comments

  • Texylin
    Texylin Member Posts: 43
    #2
    Femara
    Marilynn, I took femara for a year and I can't really think of anything good to say about it. I had really bad foot, ankle and knee pain. When I would sit down, it was really hard to get back up and even harder to walk. My fingers would hurt everyday in the mornings but seemed to get better during the day. And my cloesterol (sp?) went way up. I thought I was going crazy until I found this site www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20726&name=FEMARA . I even printed out a stack of pages to take to the doctor, because I was afraid he wouldn't believe me. But he already knew. I just got results of my ct scans Friday and doc said all signs of the tumors are gone from my lung. He's going to give me one more round of avastin and abraxane (3 more chemos) and I'll be done for now. Last year (07) I was on taxotere for 6 months but still had spots left on lung, was in remission for 1 yr and it came back. I think I'm afraid to be happy about it since I'm stage 4. Anyway, he'll be putting me on one of those scarey pills pretty soon. The abraxane was a very easy chemo to go thru and I'm scared to death to take anything that has bad side effects. I wish you all the best and let us know how it goes for you.

    Hugs,
    Linda
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #3
    Hi Marilyn, sounds like
    Hi Marilyn, sounds like you're in a lot pain. Have you had your vit d levels checked?
    I've heard that low levels can cause joint pain when on the aromatase inhibitors. I'm on Arimidex (for about 6 weeks now) and I'm a little stiffer than before but so far it's doable.
    There was a thread or two a while back. I'm pretty sure Cabbott had some interesting info about it. Sorry I can't help you out about your lipid profile. Hope you find some relief.
    love
    jan
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    #4
    Aromasin
    Hi Marilynn

    I have been on Aromasin for about 2 years. I have had no side effects to speak of. I started having toe pain and found out that my vitamin D level was low. Onc put me on a perscription vitamin D. I haven't had any pain since.

    My colesterol (sp) has been boarder line for quiet a while(before Aromasin). After going on Aromasin there was really no change in my counts . I am on a colestrol med now and my count is very good.

    Don't know if this will help or not. But this is my story and I'm sticking to it. LOL

    Hugs
    Jadie
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #5
    phoenixrising said:

    Hi Marilyn, sounds like
    Hi Marilyn, sounds like you're in a lot pain. Have you had your vit d levels checked?
    I've heard that low levels can cause joint pain when on the aromatase inhibitors. I'm on Arimidex (for about 6 weeks now) and I'm a little stiffer than before but so far it's doable.
    There was a thread or two a while back. I'm pretty sure Cabbott had some interesting info about it. Sorry I can't help you out about your lipid profile. Hope you find some relief.
    love
    jan

    Love the pic Jan. Hugs,
    Love the pic Jan. Hugs, Lili
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #6
    As I remember from one of
    As I remember from one of Cabbott's posts. Have your doctor check your vit D levels. I was experiencing a lot of joint pain and stiffness on the Tamoxifen and it turned out I had very low Vit D levels. Now, that the levels have gone up I'm not experiencing as much discomfort. Since you will be on break for 2 weeks have him do a full blood screen. Hugs, Lili
  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #7
    Thanks So Much...
    All of you truly amaze me. Everytime I'm at sea about something, you always throw me a lifeline. I'm awaiting a call from my oncologist today, so I'll discuss Vitamin D levels and see about getting tested. I just want OUT of this discomfort. This morning I couldn't even squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube. Thanks so much. You are all so wonderful. And, isn't funny (in the good way) that C.Abbot is our encyclopedia. I love it. Try as I might, I just can't research to the extent that she does. She's is one amazing person.!!!!!! Hugs, Marilynn
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #8
    mmontero38 said:

    Love the pic Jan. Hugs,
    Love the pic Jan. Hugs, Lili

    Thanks Lili
    I was wondering if I should give up the stogie (sp?) LOL
  • cnwrn
    cnwrn Member Posts: 28
    #9
    Jadie said:

    Aromasin
    Hi Marilynn

    I have been on Aromasin for about 2 years. I have had no side effects to speak of. I started having toe pain and found out that my vitamin D level was low. Onc put me on a perscription vitamin D. I haven't had any pain since.

    My colesterol (sp) has been boarder line for quiet a while(before Aromasin). After going on Aromasin there was really no change in my counts . I am on a colestrol med now and my count is very good.

    Don't know if this will help or not. But this is my story and I'm sticking to it. LOL

    Hugs
    Jadie

    Aromasin
    Jadie:

    I will be starting Aromasin soon. I see my oncologist on Friday and I will be sure to ask about taking Vit D & Calcium and see if they offer any other suggestions. I'm glad to hear that you have had very little trouble with it. I will be on it as part of a clinical study. I had to have ovarian suppression (I had my ovaries out last month) and will be on the Aromasin for 5 years. The study has 3 arms: Tamoxifen; Tamoxifen with ovarian suppression; of Aromasin with ovarian suppression. I was randomized to the Aromasin arm. I am concerned about side effects, but I will soon see.

    Cathy
  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #10
    cnwrn said:

    Aromasin
    Jadie:

    I will be starting Aromasin soon. I see my oncologist on Friday and I will be sure to ask about taking Vit D & Calcium and see if they offer any other suggestions. I'm glad to hear that you have had very little trouble with it. I will be on it as part of a clinical study. I had to have ovarian suppression (I had my ovaries out last month) and will be on the Aromasin for 5 years. The study has 3 arms: Tamoxifen; Tamoxifen with ovarian suppression; of Aromasin with ovarian suppression. I was randomized to the Aromasin arm. I am concerned about side effects, but I will soon see.

    Cathy

    Aromasin and Vitamin D Test
    Well, it's a done deal - thanks to all of you. Within the next two weeks, I will have my Vitamin D levels checked and at the end of the two weeks, I will start on Aromasin. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that my oncologist and I find a winning combination so that I can continue to fight on for the next 4 and half years without the disability. Thanks so much to all of you for sharing your experiences. As I said in an earlier post - you are so great!!!!
    Hugs, Marilynn
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #11
    mgm42 said:

    Thanks So Much...
    All of you truly amaze me. Everytime I'm at sea about something, you always throw me a lifeline. I'm awaiting a call from my oncologist today, so I'll discuss Vitamin D levels and see about getting tested. I just want OUT of this discomfort. This morning I couldn't even squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube. Thanks so much. You are all so wonderful. And, isn't funny (in the good way) that C.Abbot is our encyclopedia. I love it. Try as I might, I just can't research to the extent that she does. She's is one amazing person.!!!!!! Hugs, Marilynn

    gee whiz!
    Shucks, I just repeat what I have been reading lately. I just had my Vit D. level retested. Boy did my regular doctor have a time okaying the test. He's still stuck on the minimum daily requirement of Vitamin D and hasn't read a thing about what might be optimum for cancer patients. My oncological nurse practioner gave me a flyer that helped me. My current D3 level is a bit low but not as bad as the first time I was checked, so I hit the Health Food store for another bottle of D3. It did help me with the joint pain in my feet. I ran out of pills last week and for the first time in several months I felt a twinge in my toe joints. As soon as I started back, the pain was gone. But as helpful as that is for me, be aware that lots of things can cause joint pain. Arthritis can hit folks with cancer just like it can hit folks without cancer. So if it hurts, see the doctor. Mention the Vitamin D and all the meds you take, but let them advise you on what OTHER tests they need to run and what OTHER problems could be happening. I'm no doctor and they are. Good Luck!

    C. Abbott
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #12
    phoenixrising said:

    Thanks Lili
    I was wondering if I should give up the stogie (sp?) LOL

    Why would you? LOL It's
    Why would you? LOL It's you. Haha. I especially love the bottle under your right leg.
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #13
    mgm42 said:

    Aromasin and Vitamin D Test
    Well, it's a done deal - thanks to all of you. Within the next two weeks, I will have my Vitamin D levels checked and at the end of the two weeks, I will start on Aromasin. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that my oncologist and I find a winning combination so that I can continue to fight on for the next 4 and half years without the disability. Thanks so much to all of you for sharing your experiences. As I said in an earlier post - you are so great!!!!
    Hugs, Marilynn

    Good for you
    Marilynn,

    I'm proud of you for taking charge of your health, questioning, and requesting the Vitamin D test. I, too, have read of the importance of this vitamin and that many experts recommend that everyone, regardless of health status, have their levels checked. Some even consider it more important than calcium in bone and joint health. My doctor has never mentioned this to me either, but seemed enthusiatic when I told her that I was taking a calcium/vitamin D supplement along with my multi-vitamin. This journey has made me aware that I need to take charge of my own health as much as possible. Good luck with the Aromasin and I hope you are pain-free soon.

    Mimi

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