aromasin

Hi!

I have been on aromasin for about eight months (after being on femara) and I am in so much pain in my feet, ankles, knees and hands that I have actually thought about stopping this medication.  I am so tired and depressed and many times wish for a day where I feel like I did before cancer.  The hot flashes were severe at first but they seem to be less frequent now.  I will try to continue taking this for as long as I can.  Does anybody have any suggestions?  I know that every day is a gift and I have learned to appreciate them, but just a little less pain would be great!!!!

 

Hi Janice,

I have been taking Femara for 5 years.  I have had the same terrible pain that you describe.  My hands were like claws in the morning.  My family Doctor put me on Lovaza (omega-3-acid ethyl esters) sometimes used for elevated cholesterol.  He told me that some Dr's have discovered that it helps arthritis pain.  For me, it changed my life.  I still have the pain, but it is so toned down I can function very well.  My oncologist was surprised, but didn't say much....so I don't know if he is going to prescribe it for his other patients. They act like none of these symtoms are from the medication.  Unfortunately, I have experienced thinning hair from this drug.  My oncologist says it is unlikely from the drug, but I did not have the problem before I started it.  In spite of these things, I still believe in the drug.  Best regards to you and I hope you find some relief from the symtoms.

Linda Lou

These are symptoms of severe estrogen depletion, and they ARE from the drug. Aromasin works by inhibiting aromatase, which is necessary to produce estrogen.  Aromasin is so successful at stopping aromatase that is indeed CAN induce severe estrogen depletion (chemical menopause.)

Some women try to counteract the side effects by using foods and herbs that are phytoestrogens, but that is NOT a good idea, because they provide estrogen to the cancer cells, thereby not only relieving the side effects, but also negating the effectiveness of the Aromasin.

I would recommend trying the solution mentioned by the previous poster. If this does not help, you might ask your dr about switching to Faslodex (fulvestrant.)  It is given by monthly injection, and does not have the severe side effects of aromasin, arimidex and femara. 

There is another drug call Megace. Statistically it is effective for 20 - 30% women in treating cancer.  The big drawback to Megace is increased appetite which leads to weight gain (10 - 20 pounds in about half of patients.)

If you decide to stop the aromasin, and do not choose to use or are not a candidate for these other drugs, there are ways to inhibit estrogen production/utilization by natural means. Many foods/herbs/supplements act as aromatase inhibitors. e.g. one aspirin a day will help to inhibit production of prostaglandins necessary for aromatase function  Use of weak phytoestrogens can have the same effect as the estrogen blockers such as tamoxifen, but must be done with care that the naturals used are indeed weak phytoestrogens, because strong phytoestrogens (such as soy) are readily absorbed and used by cancer cells.  While combining aromasin with phytoestrogens can inactivate the aromasin, combining natural aromatase inhibitors with weak phytoestrogens seems to allow for both aromatase inhibition AND estrogen blocking,

I am postmenopausal, and was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer early this year. When first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, I learned that I could not tamoxifen or arimidex, so had no treatment after finishing chemo and half of the recommended radiation treatments. I remained "cancer free" until we discovered nodules in my lungs a year ago - surgical biopsy showed this to be a return of that same cancer.  Recommended treatment for metastasis was an aromatase inhibitor - I already had excellent indication that I could not tolerate that kind of drug, but I tried the aromasin.  I became seriously ill with only 3 doses, so said, "No more anti-estrogen drugs."  Having been an RN and having worked with herbs professionally, I did a lot of research an designed my own natural regimen to fight cancer.  My estrogen level dropped from 24 to less than 5 in about 6 months.  My last scan showed no growth or smaller nodules. So, seems like I was able to put my metastasis into remission through use of very common foods/herbs and supplements.

I have published my story and my herbal regimen on my blog.  You are welcome to look at it to get an idea of things you can do on your own to stop cancer cells from getting estrogen.  I am not offering my regimen as a prescription, but rather as an example of the kinds of complementary and alternative treatments women can use to help themselves. Feel free to look at anything else on the blog that interests you, and if you have questions you may contact me thru the link provided on the blog.

my story

http://motherearthtreasurechest.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-stor

my regimen

http://motherearthtreasurechest.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-pers

I wish you the best.

Sincerely,

Tre

I have been taking Aromasin since March after 2 years on Tamoxifen. The pain in my hands and feet sometimes is unbearable. I also am experiencing thinning hair. I tried not to take any pain medication, but I find 500mg of ibuprofen in the morning helps me get through the day and I am now considering another 500mg at night.

 

On 11/4/2008 Janices Journey wrote:

Hi!

I have been on aromasin for about eight months (after being on femara) and I am in so much pain in my feet, ankles, knees and hands that I have actually thought about stopping this medication.  I am so tired and depressed and many times wish for a day where I feel like I did before cancer.  The hot flashes were severe at first but they seem to be less frequent now.  I will try to continue taking this for as long as I can.  Does anybody have any suggestions?  I know that every day is a gift and I have learned to appreciate them, but just a little less pain would be great!!!!

I had a lumpectomy two years ago and then had radiation only, no chemo.  It was tiny cancer and nothing in the lymph nodes.  One was taken.  I started with Arimidex for about 6 months, some joint pain and lots of mood swings even though I was on depression medication.  I changed to Femara for about 1 1/2 years.  My entire body was in pain with the joints hurting.  Did not exercise much and had no desire to do so, which caused severe weight gain.  I complained to my oncologist and he said to tough it out!  So I went to my breast surgeon and she consulted with the oncologist and I now have 1 1/2 weeks vacation from cancer meds.  Then will take aromasin.  Has anyone bloomed with weight on this med?  The weight gain caused issues with my knees because I allready had arthriis in both knees.  I will know how the new med affects me probably in a month or two.  I guess all of them are less than pleasant, but I am determined to keep taking them, although, I hurt.  Diane

 

about the doc that told you to "tough it out":  fire them.  That is a totally inappropriate attitude for any physician to display to a patient being bothered by pain. 

 If you don't do any better with the new med, consider using natural therapy to maintain a low-estrogen status.  You can see an example of such a regimen on my blog (NOT intended as a prescription for anyone, as each individual's body chemistry is different) - a licensed or certified naturopath, homeopath or practitioner of traditional chinese medicine or ayurvedic medicine could help you find the right path for you

http://motherearthtreasurechest.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-pers

sincerely,

Tre

I have been on aromasin since March '08, after 2 years on tamoxifan. My hot flashes have improved. They are not as intense as they were on tamoxifan. However, I have gained 12-15 lbs on this drug and I consider myself very active. I go to yoga twice a week and play tennis a couple of times a week, as well as a couple of dog walks a day. Nothing I do seems to take this weight off. My biggest complaint is aching hands, feet and knees. Getting up in the morning I feel like I am 80 rather than 54. I also have trouble with numbing of my hands at night. I was taking 500mg of ibuprophen in the morning for the pain, but I was worried about stomach problems. My Dr. prescribed a slow release anti-inflammatory. I try not to take it every day. This is a difficult road... I stopped taking the aromasin for a couple of weeks and my symptoms did improve. But I decided to try to stick it out. Protocol is 3 years on aromasin. Not sure I will last for the long haul...