Has anyone tried this as alternative to Letrozole; my joint pain is debilitating at times (typically the week off Ibrance)?
My ONC said there is another one to try before opting for the once monthly shots (I forget the name of that)?
Also some talk of brain fog due to lack of estrogen I think—does that subside if you choose different AI therapy.
Anastrozole has some pretty scary side effects as compared to letrozole—I know there’s a 3rd AI (aromatase inhibitor); but I’m not sure of name-anyone know that one and/or side effects.
He said it may take joint discomfort away or may make it worse-different for everyone. I figure “Devil you know, better than devil you don’t know@!
Also I’m very worried about changing meds that have been working for past 8 mos—NED; I’m afraid to change anything unless I have to.
My Ibrance dude is 125 & he never entertains lowering it; I wish Ibrance would figure out “least effective” dose. Anyone on 109 or 75 mg just to lessen joint effects? Does that tend to speed up progression since it’s a lower dose?
Any thoughts/experiences?
Also he just informed me that he sent my tissue in for sample (from 2910 biopsy-stage 1; not from 2017 biopsy which was stage 4. Both were ER/PR + & HER2 -! But he told me I am + for other Targeted therapy so that’s good to know once Ibrance fails-I think it’s Pi’s-quay (so?) I forget the 2nd one & also I’m + for some testosterone thingy-I forget those details though. Anyone know the progression rate expectancies and/or side effects? I’d love to see my kids graduate college & have babies; biggest thing on my bucket list—I’m ok if it doesn’t happen—it’s just a wish! I know I’d be a gear Nana, if given the opportunity. So in the meantime I’m going to volunteer as a smuggler at Hospital once I get settled (moving across country); also wanna work with foster care kids...ok now I’m rambling again. Sorry
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Bailey3266
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I had a considerable amount of joint discomfort on letrozole. I have none on faslodex, the once a month shot. My scans have gotten better. The big hassle is going for the shits, one in each butt. Plus then injection is uncomfortable, but for me, tolerable. Hope this helps.
First everybody is different and may not have the same side effects. I was on Anastrozole in the very beginning and my bones and joint pains were unbearable. I stopped it after two weeks and said No, I am taking this anymore. I now take falsodex injections in which I have no problems once a month. No pain, no major side effects. The shots are the easiest part of this whole process. I still get brain fog but quite frankly, as my friends tell me they still get it also. You get up to go to the kitchen and forgot what you went in there for, or I start to talk about something and then forget my train of thought. My friends without cancer say the same things happen to them.
Ok first- ibrance 75 mg is effective and does the same job as higher doses. Many had to go to lower dose-I did also. Faslodex are the two shots once a month- uncomfortable but tolerable and there are tips on what to do when you get them. Quality of life is very important- we don’t know quantity but quality we can fight for.
I was on anastrozole for about 3 month. I had lots of joint pain but managable. what not managable fac the severe muscle spasms or Charlie horses in both legs at night and during the day. they would be so bad at night that I would wake up crying. never again. pain /spasms stopped when drug stopped. blood work/lytes came back negative for deficiencies. faslodex worked great with ibrance 125 for 9 months. good luck!
I relied to you post but it posted under francesca10 posting. good luck with your treatment. I found ibrance 125 tolerable few side affects for 9 cycles. you will find the right combo. side affects are different for everyone but your anger can interfere with your pain management. find a way to channel it out. mbc is a hard nut to swallow. good luck!
I was on Arimidex for 5 years after initial Dx. I also did almost 2 years Anastozole after Dx of MBC (I was told it is generic for Arimidex) and it was the easiest for me. Unfortunately it stopped working. I then did 16 months of faslodex shots with Ibrance, until that stopped.
I had very few side effects with the Arimidex or Anastrozole, never tried Letrozole.
I was on it in 2006 had to go off of it as I could get out of bed one morning my legs wouldn’t work. Switched to Aromasin I tolerated that better. I believe all the estrogen blockers are most of our complaints. Diagnosis MBC IN 6/20/18
I was originally diagnosed BC right breast stage 2 in 2005, back in left breast 2014 Stage 2B.
You can read about my journey on my first post.
In February this year had an Appendectomy and was discovered I had appendix cancer. Way to go Bonnie! Never heard of appendix cancer before.
My last pet scan on Aug 29th shows no Mets.
So to answer your question we all tolerate drugs differently so try it and you can always change it.
I wish you the best and praying you’ll be pain free 💕
Good day Bailey! I have been on Anastrazole for 6 years now. What I have found works like a charm for the joint pain is daily walks. That really sorts that out nicely for me. Also, please keep in mind that we all respond differently to all these drugs. I also started thinking about it like this "If people with Rheumatoid Arthritis can function, I don't have it anywhere near what they have, so I'm going for it."
Similar to LisaT23, I was on Arimidex (anastrozole) for 5 years after initial BC/mastectomy. All lymph nodes clean. At first I took Tamoxifen for about 6 months, but the hot flashes and night sweats drove me crazy, so my oncologist switched me. No problems at all with Arimidex. 17 years later, MBC diagnosis after discovery of right axillary “lump” (removed surgically). Back on Arimidex for about 10 months, but then CT/PET showed new axillary lesions (tumor markers up as well) and one bone “spot”on a pelvis bone, so was switched to Verzenio and Faslodex. After 3 weeks of 150 mg Verzenio 2x daily with awful side effects (nasty diarrhea, really bad fatigue, loss of appetite and loss of sense of taste, low red cell and platelets and very low blood pressure), my onco doc reduced Verzenio to only one tablet 150 mg each day. That change was successful, I still have some fatigue, some loss of taste, occasional diarrhea, but feel so much more normal. Most important, after a couple of months on this regimen, the lesions have been reduced ~50% in size or are seen to be healing (bone). So I am doing well now on the Verzenio + monthly Faslodex. Recheck in November. But I wanted to say that Arimidex (anastrozole) was very tolerable, with no side effects during the time I took it.
have been on Anastrozole 1mg since the end of 2015; started on Letrozole in August 2015. i use a homeopathic supplement, Arnicare Arthritis and take raw Calcium and raw Vitamin D3. have been on Ibrance 75mg since end of 2015.
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Lowering Ibrance dose 
My results after a year of being on Ibrance 125 mg
VIKTORIA-1 CLINICAL TRIAL
Ibrance, anastrozole, zometa side effects
Anastrozole for one month but seeing progression 
