How many drug holidays per year on AI drug?

Posted by lesliek808 @lesliek808, 11 hours ago

I've been on Exemestane for 3.5 years. I've had to go on at least 2 drug holidays a year (2 weeks long) just to rest my body from the muscoskeletal pain.

I'm wondering why all of a sudden my body starts to hurt painfully everywhere: hips, knees, fingers and I cannot cope. I can barely get out of bed. I've already tried Anastrazole early on and it's worst.

During these painful episodes, my oncologist lets me go off of it for 2 weeks and then resume Exemestane again.

I'm wondering what's triggering the painful episodes? Does anyone else go through this periodic muscle and joint pain?

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reflector75 | @reflector75 | 3 hours ago

I feel for you and am also asking the same question. Having been on Anastrozole for 20 months , (having had an 8 week Oncologist advised break because the back / leg pain was so severe) I suddenly developed bad hand pain in both hands in Oct. I’ve never had any kind of arthritic pain before but this made everyday tasks really hard. Have done some reading round the subject it seems it is not uncommon for new symptoms to pop up even after months or years on these drugs. I’m finding this unpredictability very wearying. Trying to carry on but seriously thinking of asking for a change when I see Onco in the new year . My worry with that is would I be any better off , or go from frying pan to fire? Good luck to all.