Hormonal Therapies

Hi like you i was prescriaed the same medication.I AM 42 and had my ovaries surgicaly removed to put me into menopause. The pain from the Aromison cant be described.A deep bone and joint pain.My feet were like walking on glass the pain is horrendous.I lasted 18 mnths.The oncologist suggesjed a drug holiday for 2 mnths.It was tghe best ive felt in ages.No aching pain.except for my feet.still the same could be permanent. Now have to try another drugFemera.Ive been on them 4 2 weeks.pain is coming back.Along with hot flushes insomnia and weight gain. New research now want people my age to take this for 10 yrs now not 5.I dont think i can tolerate living this way.

Hi Dayel, I am also on Femara, but my Dr was very definite about me needing to be post menopausal. I needed blood tests to confirm this. The Femara comes with a multitude of side effects, but I do think with time they are easing. I am taking large doses of fish oil, and this has really helped the stiff and sore joints. I realised how much this helped when I was off fish oil for more surgery. Now I take it all the time. My finger joints are all stiff, and I have 4 trigger fingers, plus inflammed tendons on both wrists running down from my thumbs. I will be asking my Oncologist in May whether this is all related. I have now been on Femara for 20 months. Good luck with it all. I still get hot flushes, but I was getting them badly for several years before cancer, so don't think I can blame femara for them. Love Chris xx

Hey DayelCongratulations on completing your chemo and radiotherapy.  I hope it wasn't too tough on you.  Sounds like you have ongoing symptoms though with your neuropathy.I sorry to hear you are having so many problems on Arimidex.  They started me on Arimidex and I was on it for a good month with crazy side effects.  I wasn't able to function normally so I got taken off of this.  I am now on Femara.I still have the major aches, pains and stiffness everyday and find it is a lot worse when I sit around on the computer etc. more than usual.I am sure if you go back to your onc and ask the questions that are bothering you or to ask if you can try a different one they should be willing to let you try a change.  Unfortunately one tablet doesn't necessary suit all of us so they should let us try different ones until we find one that works or gives us less symptoms than another one.I found the following link about Arimidex for you to have a look at if you want to.  I thought Arimidex was for post menopausal??www.canceractive.com/cancer-active-page-link.aspx?n=2506Please let us know how you go with you doctors appointment.  Hopefully it can all be explained to you fully so you understand what it is for.  It would be a shame for you to have to go off your medication.  I take 2 Panadol osteo and 2 natural anti-inflammatories in the morning to help me get through the day with my constant aches and pain.  I can let you know the anti-inflam name if you would like to personally message me.Wishing you lots of good advice and that your doctor can put you on the right track.Lots of love, Mich xoxo

Hi Janet, Thank you so much for your information. I'm going to see a doctor today to get a second opinion. I see my onc on 01/05/13 and will see what he has to say. Regards Dayel

 

I'm no expert but I was under the same impression as you ie that the aromatase inhibitors were only for when you are definitely post-menopausal. I had one period in between finishing chemo and starting tamoxifen but no more since then and at 47 I guess I'm borderline. My onc has recommended tamoxifen for 2-3 years and then switch to AIs if I am confirmed post-menopausal. I am reluctant to switch though as I am not having major problems with tamoxifen and from what I've read the day-to-day side effects with AIs are worse. From what I've read the sort of pain you're experiencing is very common, as are lack of libido and other sexual problems.Maybe there is some other reason you're doctor doesn't want you to take tamoxifen. I would ask him/her why you are not on it if you are pre-menopausal because I think I remember reading that AIs don't work as well as tamoxifen in pre-menopausal women. Perhaps seek a second opinion if your current ocologist isn't very forthcoming. Good luck, hope you can resolve the issue. Janet :)