Generic Name: Aromasin for Breast Cancer (exemestane)
Aromasin for Breast Cancer Reviews
"I have had several discussions with my doctor regarding this drug. He refuses to take me off of this after experiencing extreme night sweats, urinary problems, bone and muscle aches, extreme swelling of hands and feet, water retention, and weight gain. The benefits of this drug lowering the recurrence of disease progression is 14%. I have been a 20-year survivor of metastatic breast cancer and do not understand why I'm still on this. Seriously considering stopping the use of this because the side effects of this drug are truly ruining my quality of life. For only a 14% benefit, I don't see the point. The horrible symptoms of taking this drug are not worth it."
"I was actually a participant in the clinical trial for Aromasin in 2006. At that time, I had Stage 2 Breast Cancer. I had a lumpectomy, radiation, and this drug. I took it for 4 years. I was miserable. The worst side effect was the pain in my joints, particularly my feet. I couldn't walk around the block. I was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer in September. I have had radiation and am back on the dreaded Exemestane. In addition to some of the other side effects, I have very bad pain in my hip (when I sit). I also have numbness on the same side, along my waist. Has anyone else experienced this? I don't want to quit, but this is pretty miserable."
"Had a lumpectomy for Stage I advanced breast cancer followed by radiotherapy. Then was put on each of the aromatase inhibitors, letrozole and the other one. Basically, I was unable to continue either after 10 days due to increasingly debilitating dizziness, nausea, crying, etc. Then put on tamoxifen, and I developed lymphedema. So tamoxifen was discontinued but still have moderate lymphedema. Then put on Aromasin. Initially able to tolerate it but increasing lightheadedness (four minor car accidents) and debilitating joint pain (everywhere), poor sleep somewhat countered with Lyrica. I had already been diagnosed with widespread arthritis in the joints and the pain with Aromasin has been intolerable, so discontinued, against medical advice."
"I was on Arimidex for 6 months and started having neuropathy in hands and feet. Doc changed me to Aromasin, and I still have the neuropathy, which has altered my quality of life. Had no side effects from Tamoxifen other than weight gain and hot flashes. The Aromasin has also caused overall weakness and balance issues. I have been off of it for 2 weeks and still have the neuropathy and weakness. I am waiting to make sure it is from the Aromasin and then deciding what to do. I am quite certain I will not go back on the medication."
"After surgery I was pronounced cancer-free but still put on Aromasin. I found the side effects difficult, especially insomnia. My schedule is busy, and this, plus muscle/joint pain, is hard. I went off for several months during a vacation and felt far better. I returned to taking it, and almost immediately the side effects returned. I have very mixed feelings about continuing. My health insurance covers it, so thankfully expense is not an issue. I will probably continue as statistically the drug has proved valuable."
"I just came off Aromasin, on tamoxifen for 2 years, then Aromasin for 5 years. I am having cold chills and then hot flashes now. While on it, I had all the side effects, sore bones, hot flashes, gained weight, etc."
"I took two years of Tamoxifen, without much side effects that I am manage. I took Femara for one year and could not even turn my head and had joint pains to the point I could not turn my head when I was driving. Now I just got off exemestane after 6 months as I cannot sleep even with sleeping pills. I am five years out from chemo and doctor still wants me to take the pills for another year and four months."
"I have just been on Aromasin for 9 days and so far have no side effects. I tried Femara and after 14 days went off it because of joint pain and fatigue. On Femara, it was so bad that I couldn't climb my staircase without crying. So far, Aromasin is a miracle drug for me if it stops estrogen in its tracks!"
"Quit anastrozole after 4 months, it was making me so tired. I could hardly get out of bed and was falling asleep at the wheel. I have been on Aromasin for 4 months, and my hair is falling out quite a lot."
"Have taken three different drugs of the same nature and purpose. This has the mildest side effects. Nausea, sweats, insomnia, headache, joint pain, increased appetite, lethargy, dizziness are some of the side effects I am experiencing."
"This medicine I have been taking for 7 months, it is easy to take being such a small pill. However, the side effects are still there - leg cramps and hot flashes. It is better than the tamoxifen I was taking for 2 and a half years. Overall, I think it is a lot better."
"I have been on Aromasin for about 70 days. Just had a short holiday. Came back hardly able to walk, joints were aching from first taking it. But thought this might be because I'm not getting any younger. But now I wonder. Also, my sleep patterns have altered. I wake quite early and am a lot more tired. Also, at times I seem quite breathless, although I'm asthmatic. It has always been well-controlled. Will see my doctor to see what he suggests. This was my last resort for drugs, as most of the others I have tried had side effects."
"Breast cancer. I began and continued Aromasin for 4 years plus-shrunk tumor to be non-detectable on mammogram or high-resolution scan! Aromasin brand no longer covered by my insurance-mandating use of generic instead. Can only pray that the generic will work as well as brand and with the zero side effects (except for hair thinning) that brand Aromasin provided! A true MIRACLE drug!"
"I take 25 mg of aromasin daily and have now been on it for two years. Initially it caused nausea and some vomiting but that passed after a few months. Long-term I suffer severe muscle weakness in my legs and pain in my feet which prevents me from walking any great distance or standing for too long. I also have increased facial and body hair which is emotionally distressing and excessive sweating which is embarrassing. I get very breathless on the slightest exertion. I have no idea how to evaluate whether it has 'helped' or 'worked'. However 18 months after commencing this therapy a further nodule was discovered in my other breast. This was biopsied and found to be benign. I am seriously considering stopping this medication because of the effects it has on my daily life which are quite debilitating."
"This is my second AI, and while it’s been better than the first. I still experienced new pain in both wrists, trigger fingers, and other new joint pain. I feel “off” 24-7 and doubt I will continue it another 4 years."
"So far so good, some hot flashes, but not bad. Sometimes cold but does not last long either one. I was on Anastrozole and it did not work out for me, no sleep, panic attacks. The Aromasin is letting me sleep. I do have some arm pain but my pain pills take care of that. But the bone pain is not every day, some foot pain but I use lidocaine cream 4% on it and it helps a lot. But it's only been about two and a half months."
"I have been on Aromasin for 2 years now. Prior I took Tamoxifen. Sure, there are side effects (pain in my leg, painful joints, and hot flashes) but I had stage 3 CA and am still alive 4.5 years."
"I have been taking Aromasin for 3 months now and still wake up every night in pain on my hand, tingling and burning along with joint pain."
"Aromasin is a walk in the park after using the other aromatase inhibitors."
"I am a 4-time cancer survivor. I've been taking this drug for 9 years and I'm cancer-free."
"I found this medication better than Anastrozole for achey muscles and swollen hands. My hair and eyebrows are starting to thin with this medication."
"I have been on this medicine Aromasin for 9 days, such pains in the bones and muscles that it is impossible to withstand, I have to take strong pain relievers, I stopped taking them"
"I believe I am experiencing hair loss. Is this connected with aromasin?"
"Extreme joint pain, including trigger fingers, wrist pain. Thinning hair. Hypertension- my bp has always been optimal. Tired of generally feeling awful 24/7. Not sure I can do 4 more years."
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