Forum Discussion

cherryberry's avatar
cherryberry
Member
5 years ago

Exemestane

hello, I’m new to the forum. Finished treatment for early breast cancer at the end of November and am now taking exemestane. Just wondered if anyone has any advice / information on dealing with the side effects? I flush, sweat and feel very dry from the inside out. I take Clonidine 3 x a day to help with the flushes. Struggling with it all really and wondered how others cope. The other women I know who are on hormone blockers say that they don’t have side effects 
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    5 years ago
    Dear @cherryberry

    Your friends are fortunate - side effects with hormone blockers are quite common. I’m on Letrozole and mine are manageable - vaginal dryness and bone thinning - in that I don’t have any daily discomfort. But both need monitoring. Worth checking with your oncologist about any other options or ways of alleviating dryness. It took me years to accept that oestrogen cream would not send me straight to recurrence, and it’s helped a lot.  Best wishes. 
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    5 years ago
    A lot may depend on age - my body is not producing much oestrogen, so a very small amount is unlikely to undo the work of the blockers. But your oncologist will be able to advise. Good luck. 
  • FLClover's avatar
    FLClover
    Member
    5 years ago
    I’ve been on Exemestane for about a month now. Prior to that I was on Letrozole for 5 months. I had aches and pains, and also got carpal tunnel in both hands. Since switching to Exemestane, plus the oil, all aches have gone and carpal tunnel improved significantly. I get hot flushes, but I’ve been getting them since the Letrozole. Speak to you onco about changing you to another AI 
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    5 years ago
    @cherryberry .. I’ve been on Arimidex for 2 years now and with the help f the magic oil, Am tolerating it quite well.  Still a bit stiff, but not as sore.  Sleeping is an issue sometimes , sometimes not!

    i started with Letrozole for 6 weeks, then 6 Months on Exemestane.  Maybe if I’d tried the oil earlier, I’d still be on it!?

    don’t be afraid of trying a different AI ...

    all the best xx
  • cherryberry's avatar
    cherryberry
    Member
    5 years ago
    After reading so many posts over the weekend I realise how little I know about any of it!!! I just did whatever I was told without much thought. I just keep thinking doesn’t my body need hormones? I will start asking more questions. Thank you