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What is effective in treating joint pain from AI treatment?

Posted by adelina44 @adelina44, Feb 7, 2020

I recently switched to letrazole from anastrazole due to lower back pain. It is much improved, as well as tge fact that I no longer experience low grade nausea or hot flashes. Still I would like to know what others have found effective in countering joint pain

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trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Feb 10, 2020

@adelina44 I had too much pain with anastrozole and letrozole and subsequently was started on exemestane. I'm finding I do much better with that with little to know punishing pain as with the other two. However, I do have some itching that comes and goes, but that seems to be doable. Also, I gave up most sugar and flour foods and my energy seems to be better. What pains I did have don't seem to be as bad staying off flour and sugar.

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cathyhand | @cathyhand | Feb 11, 2020
In reply to @lisman1408 "Oh my, how I wish someone had a solid answer to countering joint pain! I started..." + (show)
@lisman1408

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

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My story with AI is like yours. I have take Exemestane for 4 years now. Thankful to have the meds. Good luck

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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Mar 6, 2020
In reply to @trixie1313 "@adelina44 I had too much pain with anastrozole and letrozole and subsequently was started on exemestane...." + (show)
@trixie1313

@adelina44 I had too much pain with anastrozole and letrozole and subsequently was started on exemestane. I'm finding I do much better with that with little to know punishing pain as with the other two. However, I do have some itching that comes and goes, but that seems to be doable. Also, I gave up most sugar and flour foods and my energy seems to be better. What pains I did have don't seem to be as bad staying off flour and sugar.

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Wow - I have some itching too but did not realize it could be the exemestane. My hand pain has really diminished but is still there. I'ts like a 1, instead of a 5 every day. So I told myself I can stand this. My 1 year was in November. So I have 3 1/2 years to go. I also gave up sugar and wheat. I've even lost some weight - I assume from less sugar.

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adelina44 | @adelina44 | Jul 10, 2020

Hi, Thx for your info. I’ve heard that from others too. Unfortunately, my oncologist told me that exemestane is not the best drug to take if you have had lobular cancer, which I did and he won’t prescribe it for me. Fortunately, I am doing much better on letrazole, but there is still discomfort, especially at night. Lots of exercise seems to help, heating pad at night, Aleve once a day.

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1 reply
sandyjr | @sandyjr | Jul 10, 2020
In reply to @adelina44 "Hi, Thx for your info. I’ve heard that from others too. Unfortunately, my oncologist told me..." + (show)
@adelina44

Hi, Thx for your info. I’ve heard that from others too. Unfortunately, my oncologist told me that exemestane is not the best drug to take if you have had lobular cancer, which I did and he won’t prescribe it for me. Fortunately, I am doing much better on letrazole, but there is still discomfort, especially at night. Lots of exercise seems to help, heating pad at night, Aleve once a day.

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I am taking anastrozole and have very few problems. I stay active and try to get out for a 3 mile walk daily. The drug does seem to bother my hands a bit. My oncologist always asks me about my hands. Last month I had some shooting pains in one wrist. I cannot say that the anastrozole caused them, just assumed that. I put ice on my wrist and have not had a problem since. Also, I knit a lot and do not know if the motion from that could be a benefit.

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cathyhand | @cathyhand | Jul 17, 2020
In reply to @lisman1408 "Bone and joint aches and pains seem to be my worst side effect too. I’m on..." + (show)
@lisman1408

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...

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I switched from Letrozole to Exemestane. Much better. I took Letrozole 2 years. Been on Exemestane 41/2 years. I do have times when I get to feeling terrible, flu like and achy joints. I take a week off and am better for months. Doing good. Thankful for meds.

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Molly MIller | @mollymiller | Jul 18, 2020
In reply to @lisman1408 "Bone and joint aches and pains seem to be my worst side effect too. I’m on..." + (show)
@lisman1408

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...

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Oh, how I understand, completely.

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