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 EyesExtreme Hand and thumb painHand and thumb weakness - inability to hold/open things - I can't even tear open an envelope!Weight gainOccasional Back Pain (that I will be keeping an eye on!)

It may be easier to have a chart that shows what these drugs dont do. That's a joke. I think :/

Vision problems should be added to Tamoxifen. My eyesight is shot and is getting worse and I now have floaters in one eye. Comment from optometrist "quite common on this med". Also bone, joint,back pain, dizziness and hypercalcemia (when taken with calcium supplements commonly prescribed by numerous GP's who don't know any better and think its works the same as an AI). Duh. Actually, bugger it @arpie. Just tick em all for me pls......grumble grumblehttps://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/watch-ocular-effects-of-breast-cancer-drugs

Side 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 dohave lymphoedema (not related toletrozole!) 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.

Hi @melclarity Femara/Letrozole was already on the original list as 'weight gain' side effect and I added it to Aromasin/Exemestane as I personally have noticed it with my own weight gain & am pretty sure others had mentioned it along the way. I am not sure who is on Arimidex/Anastrozole who've put side effects up anywhere. Happy to add any that they feel should be on the list ;)

I like porridge...as long as it's hot.

A side effect Chart for most of the Hormone/AI tablets ... on one page

102 Replies

arpie
Member
5 years ago
Welcoe @Ziarh33 ! Sorry to see you join the club that no-one wants to join ..... feel free to put a post really want to join!

Feel free to put your story up on the New Members ThreadL https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/categories/newly-diagnosed

Don't forget to add your 'general location' - town or region - on your Profile - we may have members nearby that you could meet up with for a coffee or a chat! Lots of us have made firm friends on the forum - I went to Darwin & met up with @"Annie C" from Derby. WA ... we had a week of mayhem! ;)

Here, you can rant & rave & scream & even cry if you feel like t - cos we all 'get it' as we've been there before!

Don't forget, with the AI tablets - NO-ONE gets ALL the symptoms ..... some of these side effects have been added to the list because just ONE PERSON has experienced them! Hopefully, you'll be one of the lucky ones & get NO symptoms! ;)

Take care & all the best with your ongoing treatment xx
Halla
Member
5 years ago
Hmm ok sounds like I’ve got a lot to look forward to!!

@melclarity I think Tamoxifen blocks the estrogen getting into the cancer cells, but AIs like Femara stop your fat cells from converting androgens to oestrogen, which is the main source of estrogen after menopause. That process requires aromatase and the AIs inhibit that.

@StrongCoffee I know what you mean about the sweet spot! I’ve thought the same thing. Naturopath told me I was oestrogen dominant before, and probably PCOS but without cysts.
Ziarh33
Member
5 years ago
My vision has definitely gotten a lot worse in the 5 months that I have been on Letrozole. Plus many of the other side affects mentioned here.
Only 9 years, 7 months to go.......😐
FLClover
Member
5 years ago
@melclarity well I like this much better than them eradicating my oestrogen, which I thought until now 😆. It makes a lot more sense 😊 X
melclarity
Member
5 years ago
@Afraser I absolutely agree, it took me a while to figure that out LOL ohhhh love menopause NOT!!!!

@FLClover it just jogged my memory when @StrongCoffee mentioned about the hormones dropping? I remembered what I learnt. Either way it protects and if you are on Prolia injections like I am every 6 month haha! its another added protection. Who knew.. x
FLClover
Member
5 years ago
@melclarity 😲😲 me too!! I’m sure the onc described it like that at some stage, but from the overload of info that somehow didn’t stick 🤔
Afraser
Member
5 years ago
The only thing that really slows your production of oestrogen is age!
melclarity
Member
5 years ago
I honestly used to think it eradicated my oestrogen, dont know about anyone else? Apparently your oestrogen doesnt actually reduce or stop. Its an oestrogen blocker. It attaches to hormone receptors (specific proteins) in breast cancer cells. Once the medication is inside the cells, it stops the cancer from accessing the hormones they need to multiply and grow.

I wouldnt have known?
X M
StrongCoffee
Member
5 years ago
I'm day 3 on tamoxifen and it's made me feel totally wired! Really restless and, if anything, energised. I'm guessing this is temporary as my estrogen may be at a 'sweet spot' in its fall. I have lean PCO, so know my hormones are out of whack normally. I imagine after a few weeks they'll drop and I'll get more normal symptoms.
MicheleR
Member
5 years ago
Joy! Ive been doing more vigorous exercise lately so I wasnt sure at first. I explained to my physio who altered my technique whilst doing exercise which has helped - ie i can now walk. But still joint pain. It is not prohibitive at present and i feel it slackens with exercise done right. But ouch right.

In general id say im more aware of my physical self and what stress and pain feels like in my body. Im quicker to query the little things.