What is effective in treating joint pain from AI treatment?

The lower back pain I’m experiencing since starting anastrozole one month ago is helped by topical arthritis cream. In my case Australian Dream Cream for Arthritis. Hope it helps you.

Thanks. I’ll try that

Oh my, how I wish someone had a solid answer to countering joint pain! I started on Anastrozole also. My worst side effect was brain fog, and forgetfulness so bad I thought I was sliding into dementia. My doctor switched me to Tomoxifin but it wasn’t much better. This past summer my doctor gave me a break from meds all together to see if those side effect went away. I was sooooo much better and felt like my old self again! In September, my doctor asked me to try Exemestane, so I started on that and have been taking it for 5 months now. It’s far from being free of side effects, but for me, it seems I tolerate it better than the others. I saw my doctor for my mammogram and an exam in mid-December, and there wasn’t any sign of cancer returning. I’m trilled with that! So regardless of some joint pain and a bit of confusion/forgetfulness, I’m very grateful to just put up with side effects that are annoying and mildly uncomfortable. Until there is a cure, AI’s are the best treatment available to us... I can put up with the Exemestane, do the best I can, and enjoy what life has to offer by putting breast cancer behind me as much as I can. But I also must admit, knowing there is the possibility of recurrence is always on my mind

@adelina44
The first year or so, anastrozole gave me joint, bone, and muscle pain. Sometimes it was impossible to tell which was which. So I pulled out my ol' trusty antidote for neuropathy (and fibromyalgia)... Topricin's Fibro Cream. It works relatively quickly and consistently for me. It was recommended to me by my chiropractor and I buy it on Amazon.

Hi all. Lisman, I’m kinda in the same boat as you. Had my first post cancer mammogram in December as well and all is clear. Thank the Lord! I take anastrozol now for almost a year and the side effects are almost intolerable but knowing the possibility of a reoccurrence I’ll put up with it.

I’m experiencing significantly less pain from lestrazole

Definitely we have to take an A Not sure if women are aware that there are multiple AIs and that some are tolerated better than others- it’s “person specific”. Whatever works for you!

one of the things that has helped me is Duloxetine -- prescribed by the pain management specialist. The other thing that has helped is Voltaren gel. Let me know if you find anything else. I am certainly open to more ideas!

Hi. Can anyone tell me if they take collagen to help strengthen bones?

Bone and joint aches and pains seem to be my worst side effect too. I’m on Exemestane now. I was on Anastrozole which gave me brain fog so badly I couldn’t think straight, and thought I was sliding into dementia. My doctor then switched me to Tomoxifin and I had similar side effects to the Anastrozole. I switched to Exemestane about 6 months ago and it’s ‘tolerable’. I keep expecting to be able to eventually go back to the person I was before my breast cancer diagnosis, but I’m beginning to think that will never happen. I’ve learned to ‘console’ myself by being grateful that I’m alive and for the medication available to us helping to keep cancer away. I’m 66 and looked forward to my retirement from work for many years! Now I feel like an an 80 year old woman due to medication I must take to keep cancer away...