I always check what the University of Maryland Medical Centre reports about alternative/complementary treatments. Curcumin is listed under Tumeric because it's the main ingredient. Seems there's some evidence for helping with arthritis. But I don't know if the processes in arthritis are the same in the stiffness (& joint pain also) that can follow taking Femara.http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/turmeric
I've been on Femara since August & don't seem to have any side effects, yet. But it's early days.
When I heard some time back that curcumin was shaping up in research as being of interest, I started adding the spice tumeric to my food. It helps to be absorbed if there's some fat (I use a bit of olive oil) and black pepper.
At first I was taking curcumin supplements ... and I told my oncologist, who passed it. But now I use tumeric in my diet.
I think you're very wise to discuss it with your onclogist. I did, because I know that supplements can sometimes interfere with the workings of prescribed medications.
BTW I read there is evidence that acupuncture can help with joint problems that are side effects with meds like Femara . I intend to discuss that, too, with my oncologist, if joint problems (pain/stiffness) affect me. I also read that it's specially weight-bearing exercises which are helpful for the same. So I put some emphasis on them now.
