Advice on Exemestane

@angele2times
Started Exemestane after horrible Anastrozole joint pain. On Exemestane every offer day until estrogen levels get tested and I am feeling pretty good. If ok, I am hoping to stay every other day.

Saw study where it didn’t make a lot of difference if every day or every other day.

I saw a study on this website.

The Mayo Clinic website?
Thanks I will look!

Update: I will be starting exemestane in 2 weeks, washing out Letrozole.
My breast oncologist threw me a curve ball. She wants to also start me on Verzenio - first with a low dose.
She was looking at my "stage 2-3" 1 positive lymph node, ER+...she said I would "qualify" for this drug.
She also said "it's between an AI and chemo" wants me to have a "couple of layers to prevent reoccurrence".
I told her I would think about Verzenio - I read (& she told me) some of the side effects which can really be very serious, i.e. severe diarrhea and drop in white blood cell count - which, of course, would make me vulnerable to all kinds of infections.
I am 71...have heart disease, abnormal brain MRI & a host of other medical conditions.
Does anyone have any thoughts on Verzanio? Anyone taking this drug with good results?
It's scary to me.
Wishing all the best.

I started on Anastrazole and had to stop when diarrhea and trigger thumbs hit me. I took a break and was put on Exemestane. Have been on it now 15 months. I have joint aches and stiffness, mainly in hands, feet and ankles. Stretching does help. Warm water helps the hands. I am almost 86, had a mastectomy and chemo in 2024. My risk number was 34, which is considered high so when I am tempted to stop the drug, I remember that score. I continue to be active and involved. Fatigue hits me in the afternoon. Age or drug, or both?? I have a friend who takes this drug and has no side affects at all. Isn't it odd that everyone reacts so differently? Give this drug a try and let us know how it goes. Best Wishes as you go forward.

@ksue3 I can relate to all of the side effects, I have been on exemestane for 3 years and it is a challenge. I did help some of the fatigue by taking it at night instead of the morning.

Hello,
i was on letrozole for about 1.5 years but the joint pain etc... was terrible. i switched to Anastrazole but had terrible stomach issues so back to letrozole only after 2 wks. Recently switched to Exemestane but after 3 weeks, i stopped everything. just couldn't catch a break, every part of my body hurt.. hands terrible with arthritis and then feet starting to hurt. i am struggling with this decision but the quality of life was poor and im worried that many of these issues wont be reversible once i complete the 5-10 years of these drugs. Im 61 so i do worry that not being on drugs is a bad decision.? I dont see a lot of comments about Exemestane and wonder if after taking a break from all drugs and then starting Exemestane again wont make me as painful ?

@karenzm
I had terrible joint pain also. Told my gynocologist (who is also a breast cancer survivor and an older lady like myself) and she suggested I ask my oncologist is I would be a candidate for Tamoxifen. I am now taking Tamoxifen and having no leg cramps. Of course there are side effects but nothing as bad as before. It is important to take our hormone replacement because if it comes back, it is automatically stage 4. Tamoxifen is usually given to women that have not gone through menopause but is a good alternative for those of us that have and can't tolerate the other. Good luck. Stay strong! You can do this!

@ksue3
I am starting Exemestane, today! I need to know are you taking this with herceptin too? My oncologist suggested this too. but, first they want to rule out. heart disease. They want to rule out high blood pressure but, very willing to put me on high pressure medicine. My blood pressure was good until chemo. Trying to convince anyone to listen to me is like talking through a straw. 74, exercise at gym twice a week, and walk everyday with dogs 1-3 miles. Still got cancer however, I have to build up to 1-3 miles and strength before I can say that I might need it. Fatigue is the main side effect of chemo for me. And muscle fatigue, I sat around for 4 months to to extremely cold weather and fatigue while on chemo. Just started to have a life again, but went to a party this weekend. I stood around for just 2 hours and sat for some of those 2 hours and had to rest for an entire day! So, doing PT oncology and massage therapy , eat fish,turkey chicken, lots of vegetables, fruit to get back on track. I don't like steak or hambrger!

@karenzm
Perhaps switching too fast?? I think you have to give yourself a little bit of credit and time to get over the last medicine you were on! I just started with Exemestane, it seems like a better alternative than Letrozole. I will keep you on my radar and will let you know. Ask someone about the switching parts. That might be the culprit here. Ask you one oncologist, breast surgeon or plastic surgeon. They should be able to give you a heads up. Stay hydrated, and try propel water with electrolytes in it. Ask your doctor, but switching too fast is not clearing the medicine from your system before starting with something else. Time of day also might the key.

Again ask you three doctors.! Good luck!

Exemestane worked best for me for awhile, less joint aches but I ended up having a hard time sleeping and turned into insomnia. I tried everything doctors recommended- pranayama( which helped a bit) various sleeping pill( which usually made me feel weird in the morning). And absolutely NO sex drive/desire. I was on for 2 yrs. I ended going off about 3 months ago. I am now sleeping well, joints are still stiff, and a little sexual desire coming back. I’m 63 but my cancer was 7mm IDC in left breast- I had no Onco score and lymph node clear. I had lumpectomy and reconstruction and 15 rounds radiation. My risk is low - but there’s always that thought. I am okay with being off of AIs. I currently do acupuncture monthly, healthy yoga and pranayama, walk and some strength work.