Anyone on Exemestane?

[LadyKatarina]

I am about to start exemestane and am looking for feedback. Is the Aromasin brand name better than the generics? I have tried anastrozole and letrozole--and anas caused extreme joint pain plus brain fog--and letrozole some tendonitis plus lots of brain fog and anger and paranoia issues. I am hoping the exemestane will be better for both side effects. Also was on fulvestrant for about 2 years--but my muscles could hardly take any more injections. Off that for over a year and I still have tender spots in the ventrogluteal muscles. All the above were accompanied by Ibrance, on and off, with the doses getting lowered over time. Please tell me your experience! Thanks so much!

[Ursula_I]

Hi,

I was on Aromasin for five years, following my treatment for primary BC. No side effects whatsoever. I also had monthly injections of Zoladex as I was pre-menopausal. All very doable!

(I'm not on them any more... the cancer changed from ER+ to ER- so it stopped working and now I have MBC 😢.)

All best wishes

Lucy

[mary4470]

I hear you about your glutes! Fortunately, I am not experiencing the same tissue damage as you are explaining. I have been on Verzenio (abemaciclib -starting 150mg, now down to 50mg) + the fulvesrant since May 2018. Sometimes I get frustrated with the fatigue issue, but many of my symptoms I wonder if its the medication or my age (69). At any rate good luck to you

[Thatflowerlady]

Hi I have been taking exemestane for approx 6 months . I think it is causing some muscle and joint pain . Over the last 6 years I have tried most of the options. Muscle and joint pain seems to be the predominant for me with all of the treatments . From my waist down it feels like all my muscles are extremely tight & inflamed . BUT I have not found it anymore severe with taking the exemestane over the other similar medications .

I hope it works for you .

Luann

[atoth17]

I have been on Exemestane for a little over a year. I was on Letrozole until being diagnosed Stage IV Nov. 2020, everyone is different but I love Exemestane a thousand times more than Letrozole. No more joint pain! I have side effects but I think they’re mainly from the Ibrance (thinning hair, fatigue). Good luck!

[LadyKatarina in reply to atoth17]

Thank you for your reply! Why do you like E a thousand times more than L? I got affected mentally by letrozole--so I am hoping the exemestane will be better in that regard. I got extreme joint pain while on anastrozole--8 different joints. Ugh--these AI's are hard to handle!

[atoth17]

For me, it was joint pain. I didn't realize it was the L all along that was making my joints hurt so bad until I stopped. E has not caused any joint pain or really, any side effects. Again, that is just me, it is different for everyone. I have tried a few AIs and Exemestane has by far been the most tolerable.

[LadyKatarina in reply to atoth17]

So good to hear!! Thank you!