Aromasin

I've just started taking Aromasin and within a month I am unable to bend my fingers. They feel as though they will dislocate if I open them up fully or try to grasp something like my toothbrush, fork or steering wheel.  Talk about affecting the quality of life. My whole body aches although I am a yoga practitioner and go to the gym or walk 6 days a week.  When I try to research different websites, I'm amazed at the lack of centralized information and integrated medicine approach to something that must affect tens of thousands of women. In my opinion, you should not have to run to a specialist in arthritis when it's a well known side effect of AI's. Now that I'm done lamenting reality--I am faced with presenting all of the things I can't do and my level of pain to my oncologist.  In the face of my misery, what is he to do but suggest another Aromatase Inhibitor or Tamoxifen if my symptoms don't abate?

I have a choice to make, tough it out and see if symptoms get better or worse.  Do they go away after you are done with the drug in five, count them five years?

Do any of you find a form of excercise, nutrition, or research helpful?  What questions should I ask my oncologist next Monday when I go for my checkup?  I'm delighted to be alive and look at each day as a gift.  I just find myself so uncomfortable so much of the day I would love some ideas.

PS, my eye doctor told me today that Aromasin has been known to cause glaucoma (or exacerbate existing condition) so keep your annual appt with your eye doctor. 

 

You posted this few days ago and  hope you have received some private responses.  I just came to the emotional conclusion today (after breaking into tears in my new physiotherapist's office) that Aromasin is seriously effecting me. 

 I am exhausted.  I ache.  I  over eat.  I am emotionally burnt out!

I have kept on going like this and have just reached the peak of what I can handle.  I may need to take time off work to help get me back on track.  I see my family doctor next week and I hope he has some idea of how to help me. 

 I admire your ability to keep up with the yoga and fitness.  I was a hiker and kayaker.  I have not kept up and I have lost so much fitness during this whole bc experience.  I come home from work and crash.  I know I should go for a walk but...i AM SO TIRED!

 My feet hurt and when I get up from a chair I walk hunched over for a few steps.  I am only 41!

Please let me know how you are doing.

I didn't mention that I have been on Aromasin since April (after two years of Tamoxifen

 

Sorry I have no words of wisdom for you.

I am so glad I read your message. I have been Aromisin for 7 months. I am experiencing numbness is my hands. When I get out of bed or go from sitting to standing, my feet hurt, I feel like the hunchback of Norte Dame, I have this appetite that is out of control, none of my pants fit anymore and my body can not seem to regulate a temperature. Am I going crazy?

I went to the doctor this week and he is sending me to a joint specialist to check for arthritis. I may have that but it must be caused by the aromasin because, again... I am only 41! Some women are taking baby asprins for the pain but I forgot to ask my doctor about it. Instead I am taking more anti aniexty meds! I'll do anything at this point!

I am the Hunchback too! I can completely relate!
I am so overweight right now too! Augh!

But, I'm here!
Hang in there! I would like to stay in touch with you if you are interested. Respond to me privately and we could exchange emails. I have a facebook site for Inflammatory Breast Cancer Mothers. We share a lot about our emotions and our wonderful families who we need to be here for.

hi,

this is my first message and i am writing to try to rally the troops. i have had severe bone and joint pain first from arimidex and then aromasin. i am now off both of them and am about to go on tamoxafin. I am sad because i know the other drugs have a lower rate of recurrance, but the pain was ruining my life.
Has anyone go a clear answer about what causes the joint pain. no one, including the manufacturer seems to know why we get pain and when i ask if i have sustained permanent damage one doctor told me that the drug had not been around long enough to to know how it will affect me long term. I feel like I am a guinea pig and that i am not being told everything I asked for an mri to examine what has happened to my joints to have me so crippled and they say that it would not show anything. I want answers before i find out the i have taken a drug that is going to cause severe pain later.

karen

hi,

this is my first message and i am writing to try to rally the troops. i have had severe bone and joint pain first from arimidex and then aromasin. i am now off both of them and am about to go on tamoxafin. I am sad because i know the other drugs have a lower rate of recurrance, but the pain was ruining my life.
Has anyone go a clear answer about what causes the joint pain. no one, including the manufacturer seems to know why we get pain and when i ask if i have sustained permanent damage one doctor told me that the drug had not been around long enough to to know how it will affect me long term. I feel like I am a guinea pig and that i am not being told everything I asked for an mri to examine what has happened to my joints to have me so crippled and they say that it would not show anything. I want answers before i find out the i have taken a drug that is going to cause severe pain later.

karen

I too am on Aromasin and cannot bend my fingers.  I am only 52 and feel like I'm 90 years old when I get up after sitting for a period of time.  After my chemo/radiation I felt like I was getting my life back.  I walked daily, went back to my yoga and kayaking.  I felt great.  Then they put me on Arimidex.  One morning I woke up and couldn't move.  My hands and feet were swollen and cramped.  My oncologist took me off all medication to see if I felt better.  Within a couple of weeks, I was back to normal.  He then suggested Aromasin.  I've been on it for two months and am having pain and swelling in my hands.  I am an art teacher and a potter.  At first I thought maybe it wasn't the medication, maybe I was developing arthritis in my hands.  But after reading your e-mail, I realize it's the medication again.   Why doesn't the literature on these meds. mention this side effect?   I am making an appointment with my oncologist and bringing these e-mails.  I want him to see that this is not a "rare" side effect.  There has to be a remedy for the pain and discomfort without going off the meds.  Please let me know if you hear of one, and I will do the same.  Sharon