Are There Any SAFE Aromatase Inhibitors

[myguy]

Are there any aromatase inhibitors that don't have serious side effects. I am scheduled to go on one after the first of 2020 when my radiation therapy is finished. I was diagnosed with stage 2A lobular carcinoma in my left breast in October 2019 and had a lumpectomy. No lymph nodes were involved. I have heard so many harmful side effects, I don't know if I will follow through with estrogen inhibitors. I have also heard about the TAILORX study. Please help me.

[Knapweed]

I am three months in and after radiotherapy it’s hard to untangle the effects of the drugs from that. It’s not great fatigue wise etc but otherwise it’s not as bad eg for joint pain etc as others have experienced. I would go for the drugs and just see how it goes. Some people I know have changed drugs and it’s made little difference, others have found the effects change over time. I am most concerned about osteoporosis I guess and do lots of exercise when I can.

[myguy in reply to Knapweed]

I think that you are right about the side effects of the drugs. If you want to take more "drugs" there is treatment to prevent osteoporosis. Exercise is helpful for osteoporosis and general well being. Good for you. Take care and thank you for replying to my post.

[NPmary]

They all have more or less the same side effects one may be more tolerable than another. They are all better than taking tamoxifen at least they don't give you another cancer like tamoxifen can and does (endometrial - my cousin got this from it).

[myguy in reply to NPmary]

So sorry about your cousin developing endometrial cancer. Thank you for that information, I had not heard that before. Hope she heals from that.

[NPmary in reply to myguy]

Thank you. She died a few years ago.

[Di08]

Hi there....I commenced Aromatase Inhibitors on the 9/12/19 after mastectomy, in June, 4 cycles of TC, chemo and radiotherapy which finished on the 9/12, for stage 2b breast cancer. Like you I had read up on them and was reluctant because of reported side effects. I took them because they are almost as effective as chemo in preventing mets. So far, whilst I am a slightly more stiff and my legs feel slightly achy sometimes, I have found them to be ok. I do exercise daily and am quite an active person, and they haven't negatively impacted on any activity or made me feel nauseous, and that's with seasonal glasses of wine! I have slightly less energy than before treatment commenced, but its been a very challenging 6 months! I can't tell about hair thinning as mine is just starting to grow back, but I would suggest side effects are very individual and you won't know your response until you give them a try? If you are UK based you could try the Predict tool where you give basic details and the tool calculates just what impact they would have on your prognosis. Predict is used by oncologists in UK? All the best in making informed choices!

[myguy in reply to Di08]

Hi DiO8. That was good information. Sounds like you have been dealing with health issues for awhile and now Aromatase Inhibitor. I am not UK based but might try to connect with Predict via the internet. Thanks for the reply. Have a nice Holiday.

[Cu4281]

I have recently switched to Letrozole from Tamoxifen after 2 1/2 years on that. It has been about a month on Letrozole. Yes the side affects are similar. Very much menopause like and watch your bone care. I find that it has not been terrible but I would mostly complain about joint pain, light sensitivity, sleep issues, dryness of skin, eyes, mouth, more tired than usual, concentration sometimes is less also lack of sex drive. Wether it is aging or meds causing these, I do think the meds play a huge part. Certainly the alternative is worse, it can be helped with supplements, diet and exercise of course. Seeing a nutritionist can help too. They say 5 years...and now talk 10 on these drugs. I was lucky no chemo so I consider this course of treatment a good choice. Good Luck. Remember if you don’t like it you can make a different choice too.

[myguy]

I think that you are right about the symptoms being due to the meds. I have read all of those symptoms as side effects caused by most of the aromatase inhibitors. You are right about "no chemo" and making another choice. At 75 I do have choices. Thanks for the reply

[platinum30 in reply to myguy]

Hi

I was put on Letrazole 18 years ago ( UK) I was on it for 61/2 years. When I lived in the US they monitored me throughly and I found I had osteopenia and my chlorestrol went up plus aches and pains. At the time 5 years was the standard so I came off.

I have now been diagnosed with secondary BC and after chemo plus antibodies I will be taking letrazole.

I guess it is worth taking given it’s another belts and braces ! Much love

[AnnieAppleseed]

I am the founder of cancer nonprofit Annie Appleseed Project and I created an evidence-based Handout on Reducing Treatment Toxicities with simple natural methods. Our site is down for maintenance now, but SEARCH annieappleseedproject.org for 'handout'. Lots of good suggestions that can really help.