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Dreaming2019's avatar
5 years ago

Down and depressed

Hello I started on tamoxifen for a few months and then was put on Letrozole after I had my ovaries removed. After 3 months I was taken off Letrozole due to severe side affects of joint and muscle pain I had a 3 month break which by the end of 3 months I was back to being able to go for walks, do stretches losing weight all the things they tell you to do to help reduce the risk of cancer coming back. I was then put on exemestane I took this for four months and even though the aches and pains were not as severe as the Letrozole they were increasing and happening often so have stopped taking the arimidex. I am now back on the tamoxifen and it’s been just over a month I have been able to go on my walks and do stretches, I have had really bad fatigue though and usually when this happens to me I go and sleep and would be ok the next day but this fatigue now lasts for days, I get depressed about this because I can not do anything and I am feeling very stressed out as I really don’t want to keep living like this for the next five years, I am trying to do all the right things to help my chances in surviving but the hormone blocking treatment would no doubt be the hardest part of my cancer journey for me ,,,, please someone tell me there is light at the end of the tunnel....
  • Hi @Dreaming2019 I had a rough time on Tamoxifen too due to already having joint issues thanks to Rheumatoid Arthritis.  I had an oophrectomy and am about to start Exemestane and see how I go on that.  If it exacerbates the joint pain, I'll stop taking it and try something else, or just stop all together.

    I'm all for doing everything I can to prevent a recurrence but, if it severely impacts my quality of life now, I'll definitely be choosing quality over quantity.  If you haven't already, have a chat to your oncologist about how much benefit it will really have and that might help you make a decision.  My onc suggested it would add about 2-3% benefit to recurrence prevention so I rest easier knowing that if I have to stop in order to be a functional human being, it isn't a huge risk I'm taking.
  • Iserbrown thankyou and I will definitely have a look at these booklets... I wish you all the best as well.


  • https://www.bcna.org.au/health-wellbeing/physical-wellbeing/fatigue/

    It's hard yards when you are feeling like you are.  I've done the rounds on AIs and at present down to one side effect.

    There are some that sail through with no side effects. 

    I hope you find the link helpful and in time the body does adjust.

    Try and roll with it and recognise the fatigue and the best way to manage it.

    Take care and best wishes