Forum Discussion
arpie
7 years agoMember
A side effect Chart for most of the Hormone/AI tablets ... on one page
I found this chart a while back, when researching Hormone Therapy/AI side effects - and thought this a good one with most of the oestrogen blocking meds on the one page, in groups, & showing 'most' of the side effects in an easy to read format.
Please note - I wrote the 4 'boxes' of info along the top - with the alternative tablet names and explanations of the different groups of tablets.
If you have MORE symptoms than listed here, feel free to add to the list in the comments below! (I can even add more dots if you like!)
For Aromasin/Exemestane - I can add:
Dry Eyes
Extreme Hand and thumb pain
Hand and thumb weakness - inability to hold/open things - I can't even tear open an envelope!
Weight gain
Occasional Back Pain (that I will be keeping an eye on!)
Please note - I wrote the 4 'boxes' of info along the top - with the alternative tablet names and explanations of the different groups of tablets.
If you have MORE symptoms than listed here, feel free to add to the list in the comments below! (I can even add more dots if you like!)
For Aromasin/Exemestane - I can add:
Dry Eyes
Extreme Hand and thumb pain
Hand and thumb weakness - inability to hold/open things - I can't even tear open an envelope!
Weight gain
Occasional Back Pain (that I will be keeping an eye on!)
102 Replies
- arpieMemberA few. more additions since the end of last year. ...
- arpieMember@cranky_granny - No - you are not imagining things. I also believe that most women have a much higher level of 'pain threshold' than men anyway - so when we start talking about 'aches/pain we've never had before taking these meds' - we should be listened to & believed!! Not just brushed aside.
I am continually amazed at our members being told by their oncologists that 'not many' are affected by side effects of the hormone therapy - that is just plain BULLSHIT! You don't need a university degree to read of the millions of women around the world who are struggling with the 'life saving' medications that turn your life into a 'living hell'. :(
I think this chart has been around since 2013 ..... so it is not 'recent news' - and all the 'x' have been added at the request of BCNA members who are experiencing these side effects. So the number of side effects across all the meds has almost doubled since adding the 'x'!
Feel free to download it & print it off & take it to your oncologist - suggest they put it on the wall in front of their desk, as a daily reminder that it is NOT 'just a few' ..... - cranky_grannyMemberJust looked at the latest list very accurate have quite a number of them on tamoxifen
thanks @arpie for this im not imagining it all - arpieMemberThanks @melclarity - I do have access to some drops that my hubby was given recently ... but I forget to use the bloody things! DUH! I must give them a go.
- melclarityMember@arpie do you use anything for your dry eyes? I used to use Systane eye drops through the day if needed, however for the past 10 years Ive used Polyvisc ointment in my eyes at bedtime. He hydrates beautifully! M xx
- arpieMemberHere is the latest version - let me know if I left anything out!!
I had my eyes checked on Friday & there is only a very small adjustment needed for my right eye, which surprised me!! Maybe this vision thing 'comes & goes' cos it sure feels like it is 'all over' bad ... specially the dryness & the floaters. She said to ignore the floaters (or 'look thru them') but I do find that a tad hard to do - as I am doing very obvious 'blinks' to try & move them all the time plus rehydrate the eyeball! The new glasses will be interesting, that is for sure. - arpieMember(Apologies - I thought I'd posted this earlier this evening!)
Oh dear @kezmusc - Sorry to laugh .... but I think you've summed us all up in that one paragraph!
AND that document you put up has been around since 2013 - so not exactly a 'recent development'!! grrr
I was actually thinking the same re my own eyesight! I must get mine rechecked before the end of the year to get the 'freebie' glasses .... I near a pair in every room!! I've found my eyes to be dry, blotchy & not always 'good sight'! And yes, floaters! It can change from one day to the next!! I'd forgotten this chart, til @Shakalker mentioned the side effects again!
I shall up date the chart with the most recent suggestions & put it up again!
Take care everyone xx - AfraserMemberSide effects are so variable, anyone starting letrozole or tamoxifen wouldn’t know what to think. The best advice can only be to try it and see how you go over a reasonable period of time. I do have bone thinning and vaginal dryness on letrozole but no aches, pains, flushes, hair thinning or increased cholesterol. I do
have lymphoedema (not related to
letrozole!) and the soft skin on my affected arm is often remarked on as a sign of my vigilance in moisturising, as dry and hardened skin can be a problem. But to be honest, I moisturise very irregularly, no skin dryness. All we do know is that the medication may make a difference about remaining cancer free and so we individually have to decide when the side effects outweigh those potential benefits. - GlynnisMember@Romla Thank You for that will have a look for it 😀
- RomlaMemberMuch higher cholesterol on Letrozole - nearly double but not keen on statins. I lost my eyebrows but am happily using a product called Morebrows bought at Woolies which reinstates the look reasonably naturally unlike brow pencils - it’s a brush on gel with natural looking colours @Glynnis .Eyebrows seem to really define a face and I use More Brows even when no other makeup.