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Switching from anastrozole to exemestane: Anyone made this switch?

Posted by reginacrick @reginacrick, Jun 1, 2024

My oncologist switched me from Anastrozole to Exemestane.. anybody familiar with this medicine? Side effects? I’m always scared to switch meds.

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brightlight66 | @brightlight66 | 4 days ago
In reply to @lynnpete "@brightlight66 i think i replied in general info. Sorry..new to this😊 also was wondering what you..." + (show)
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@brightlight66 i think i replied in general info. Sorry..new to this😊 also was wondering what you know about "breast defend"? Thanks

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@lynnpete Hi, I had a session with a Naturopathic Doctor who recommended Breast Defend supplement. It's a natural supplement with herbs and DIM. Look it up. DIM can lower overall estrogen levels and reduce the risk of estrogen-related health problems, such as acne, breast cancer, and PMS. So for now, I'm going off AI's and no more meds. Tumor markers just came back normal
Another chiropractor I follow on YouTube recommended "Hormonegenic" supplement which contains DIM and Indole 3 Carbinol (compound found in cruciferous vegetables) to lower estrogen. Also eating broccoli sprouts.
I think my body is too sensitive for these meds and I need to follow a more natural path for now. I'm experimenting and looking for more quality of life!

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lynnpete | @lynnpete | 4 days ago
In reply to @brightlight66 "@lynnpete Hi, I had a session with a Naturopathic Doctor who recommended Breast Defend supplement. It's..." + (show)
Profile picture for brightlight66 @brightlight66

@lynnpete Hi, I had a session with a Naturopathic Doctor who recommended Breast Defend supplement. It's a natural supplement with herbs and DIM. Look it up. DIM can lower overall estrogen levels and reduce the risk of estrogen-related health problems, such as acne, breast cancer, and PMS. So for now, I'm going off AI's and no more meds. Tumor markers just came back normal
Another chiropractor I follow on YouTube recommended "Hormonegenic" supplement which contains DIM and Indole 3 Carbinol (compound found in cruciferous vegetables) to lower estrogen. Also eating broccoli sprouts.
I think my body is too sensitive for these meds and I need to follow a more natural path for now. I'm experimenting and looking for more quality of life!

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@brightlight66 i totally agree about quality of life. I will check those supplements out. Thanks.hate that there are so many of us out there,but its so helpful to talk/discuss this with peers. sometimes dr.s just can't understand we are dealing with

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celestebradham | @celestebradham | 4 days ago
In reply to @sequoia "@celestebradham I was reading your post. Hope you are doing well still. I was interested in..." + (show)
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@celestebradham I was reading your post. Hope you are doing well still. I was interested in how long your did acupuncture. I do acupuncture treatments for scar tissue and nerve damage from my mastectomy. It had relieved my pain and spasms significantly and made such a difference. It’s been a journey, but a positive and bless journey. So thankful for the acupuncture treatment.

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@sequoia
I do acupuncture once a month. It help me keep up my energy levels

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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | 3 days ago

I switched after about 11 months - my hand joint pain was so extreme I could not do my hobby (sewing). I threatened to quit taking any meds for her to switch me. It took maybe 2 to 3 months - but my hands went from a 7 to about a 1 or 2. So I was really glad to switch. Each drug may affect each person differently. So just try different meds to see what you can tolerate. I made it to my 5 years. The best of luck to you.

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srussell | @srussell | 2 days ago
In reply to @brightlight66 "@lynnpete Hi, I had stage 2B, surgery, 5 mos chemo (red devil) and 25 radiation treatments,..." + (show)
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@lynnpete Hi, I had stage 2B, surgery, 5 mos chemo (red devil) and 25 radiation treatments, was on Letrozole for 3 months and couldn't take the joint pain, irritability and insomnia. Then a month off and felt wonderful. Just completed a month of Exemestane and the stomach issues and diarrhea were awful and just like you, I only took it 3 times a week. Now thinking of taking "Breast Defend" which is a DIM supplement to support my body.
Not sure what to do next, but I know my oncologist will recommend anastrozole as that's my last choice. I feel SO much better when I don't take any AI's, but the worry is there of a recurrence. What do you think you'll do?

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@brightlight66 My side effects with Letrozole were unbearable. I suffered through for 6 months. I have an RX for Anastrozole, now. I'm going to try it but I don't think I'm going to put up with misery for another 6 months. I have a 10% risk of recurrence even on the meds... I am a young mom. I want to be active with my son.

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srussell | @srussell | 2 days ago
In reply to @brightlight66 "@lynnpete Hi, I had a session with a Naturopathic Doctor who recommended Breast Defend supplement. It's..." + (show)
Profile picture for brightlight66 @brightlight66

@lynnpete Hi, I had a session with a Naturopathic Doctor who recommended Breast Defend supplement. It's a natural supplement with herbs and DIM. Look it up. DIM can lower overall estrogen levels and reduce the risk of estrogen-related health problems, such as acne, breast cancer, and PMS. So for now, I'm going off AI's and no more meds. Tumor markers just came back normal
Another chiropractor I follow on YouTube recommended "Hormonegenic" supplement which contains DIM and Indole 3 Carbinol (compound found in cruciferous vegetables) to lower estrogen. Also eating broccoli sprouts.
I think my body is too sensitive for these meds and I need to follow a more natural path for now. I'm experimenting and looking for more quality of life!

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@brightlight66 @lynnpete Can I ask, how old are you ladies? I am 42 trying to navigate the AIs.

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lynnpete | @lynnpete | 2 days ago
In reply to @srussell "@brightlight66 @lynnpete Can I ask, how old are you ladies? I am 42 trying to navigate..." + (show)
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@brightlight66 @lynnpete Can I ask, how old are you ladies? I am 42 trying to navigate the AIs.

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@srussell hi.. im 63. Diagnosis jan of 2024. I felt lump.nothing dhowed on mamogram. Didnt show up until they did MRI. Crazy... Lump was noticeable but mamogram didnt detect.

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brightlight66 | @brightlight66 | 2 days ago
In reply to @srussell "@brightlight66 My side effects with Letrozole were unbearable. I suffered through for 6 months. I have..." + (show)
Profile picture for srussell @srussell

@brightlight66 My side effects with Letrozole were unbearable. I suffered through for 6 months. I have an RX for Anastrozole, now. I'm going to try it but I don't think I'm going to put up with misery for another 6 months. I have a 10% risk of recurrence even on the meds... I am a young mom. I want to be active with my son.

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@srussell I completely understand. Please let us all know how it goes. I can guarantee that my oncologist will want to prescribe anastrozole for me too now that I cannot take the side effects from Letrozole and Exemestane. I'm starting to feel SO much better off everything.
I wish you the best and look forward to hearing how it's going. It's taking things one day at a time for all of us here.

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brightlight66 | @brightlight66 | 2 days ago
In reply to @srussell "@brightlight66 @lynnpete Can I ask, how old are you ladies? I am 42 trying to navigate..." + (show)
Profile picture for srussell @srussell

@brightlight66 @lynnpete Can I ask, how old are you ladies? I am 42 trying to navigate the AIs.

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@srussell I'm 66 and was diagnosed in June 2024. I felt the lump, thought it was another fibroid as I've had two but this one was scanned with mammogram, biopsy and bingo. Confirmed with MRI.

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celestebradham | @celestebradham | 2 days ago
In reply to @srussell "@brightlight66 @lynnpete Can I ask, how old are you ladies? I am 42 trying to navigate..." + (show)
Profile picture for srussell @srussell

@brightlight66 @lynnpete Can I ask, how old are you ladies? I am 42 trying to navigate the AIs.

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@srussell
I started at 60- so bunches older.

AIs can be tough. But everyone is different. My goal is to hit 5 years on AIs.

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