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Can joint pain of aromatase inhibiters (AIs) be reversed completely?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jan 28 6:12am | Replies (18)Comment receiving replies
Breast tissue was removed about 20 months ago, followed by the recommendation that take AI, aromatase inhibiters, prophylactically, for 5 years. The first of 5 hears included 6 months each of Anastrozole, followed by 6 months of Aromasin. The most intolerable side effects of each was joint pain in my hands and wrists. After the first 6 months, I felt that the joint pain was debelitating and opted to move to the next AU, which also resulted in similarly difficult joint pain. Looking back, I couldn't begin to say whether the first drug was worse than the 2nd. It was suggested that I stop the drug completely. Because I want the benefit of the AI, to thwart the reoccurrence of irregular or cancerous cells, and asked to be put on the 3rd AI. Not sure how I'm going to tolerate the 3rd drug, I choose to try it, hoping that the effects aren't so difficult, because I have no further options, as I cannot take Tamoxofin, because I have thrombocytosis, a blood disorder that causes elevated platelets, that is problematic because of the potential for blood clots..
During my 2 week time off the AIs, I was told that my joint pain should completely go away and I'm hoping that's the case, as I have been off for 1 week and am not yet feeling substantive relief -- but I have another week off and am keeping my fingers crossed.
The joint pain I experience has lead to difficulty opening up bottles, snapping my fingers, shaking hands, and I have a painful "trigger" finger. Most of all, I am looking forward to starting Letrezole, hoping that my joint pain till be less, enabling me to make the commitment to continue for 4 more years.
I hope this helps you have a better perspective on my joint pain challenges and the need to continue the meds. Thanks for your inquiry..
Replies to "Breast tissue was removed about 20 months ago, followed by the recommendation that take AI, aromatase..."
I am following your post because I too have developed debilitating joint pain but in my knees and feet and lower back. The pain was so severe I couldn't fall asleep without using heating pads and elevating my knees to reduce the pressure against the mattress. I was sleeping 2-3 hours a night then napping sitting in an easy chair during the day. I discontinued taking anestrozole 2 weeks prior to my 6 mo's oncology visit and the pain did resolve. The oncologist told me to take a 6 months break from the anestrozole but didn't prescribe another AI. I am very scared with no AI so tried taking it again last week and the severe pain returned. The oncologist told me chance of recurrence is 8,%with the AI, 20% w no meds.. so I am scared and don't trust being off all meds. This is my 2nd DCIS... I went thru treatment w Tamoxiphen 15yrs ago but developed cognitive issues w the Tamoxiphen so had to stop after 2 yrs. This is a new DCIS breast cancer in the opposite breast.. not a recurreance. I was told the incidence of that happening is 2%... So don't know if I should get a second opinion or ask why I'm not on another AI with the 20% chance of recurrence or should schedule a double mastectomy as I had originally wanted.
I hope your pain resolved once you stop the Anestrozole as mine did. Wishing you a good outcome
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I have been taking anastrozole since May of 2022. The joint and muscle pain has been awful. Gabapentin has helped but still some days have been horrible. My oncology nurse suggested osteo bi flex and I really didn’t believe it would help. I’ve been taking it for approx two months and I realized the other day that the pain isn’t constant any longer. It’s still there and sometimes pretty bad but, not as much as before. Also, I use cbd/thc edibles before bed in order to control night sweats. . The osteo takes a bit of time but, I’m glad I gave it a try!