Side effects of exemestane (Aromasin)

I started Exemestane back in Nov. '22. The first few weeks I really felt awful. Fatigue, nausea, 'vacant' feeling. Decreased dosing to every other day for a bit, then went to full dose alternating with 1/2 dose for a bit. I am now on full dose daily and feeling much better. No muscle or joint pains. I have not had a glucose check, but was normal back in July '22. I was not aware of glucose issues with this med. I am still deciding if I remain on the med or not. My DCIS was very small and risk of recurrence is very small....have to weigh that against side effects of having no estrogen. I would hang in there if you can and hope that side effects abate over time. Take care....

Good day; I am also on exemestane and have been on since August 2022.
Some side effects of night sweats are if I take it late in the day.
My skin breaks out here and there, but I am not sure if it is the exemestane or the blood thinner I am on.
No joint pain or glucose problems for me. I am doing pretty well on this drug.
Your discomfort may go away after your body gets used to the drug.
Best to you and your journey.

I may take the exemestine every other day as well for a few weeks. I think that is a good idea. I did not take it yesterday and blood sugar better this morning. I’m going to get a second opinion from another oncologist in April.
I mourn the person I was before having breast cancer! Does anyone else feel that way?

@happyat65 I miss that girl every single day! I do have good days but I feel that’s only because I’m taking celebrex almost everyday because of the joint pain which isn’t good because I have gastro issues. I have osteopenia and arthritis so I think the anastrozole just exacerbates it. I feel like I’m a hot mess🙃🙃but I’m here and am trying🙏to be grateful and not sound like a whiny you know what!! Hoping you and all of us do well.

Yes, I miss her!

Until a cure for cancer is found, we are at the mercy of these darn drugs! It stinks! But considering the alternative of cancer returning… I’m grateful for these medications. I’m in my late 60’s and because of these drugs I can still enjoy my grandchildren. I’m also a gardener, and thanks to these drugs, I can still go outside to enjoy my small yard and patio plants. My energy isn’t what it used to be before breast cancer, but I’m still able to do many of the thing I’ve always enjoyed. We just gotta find the ‘good stuff’ that taking these medications allow us. These medications are certainly better than the alternative! Good luck to each of you as you continue through this journey! 💕

Does anyone experience side effects from the 5 year pill exesemtane ? I have tried 2 different ones, both feel awful

I take that one, it was ok at the beginning but now is getting pretty bad. I have had constant nausea and back/bone/joint pain. The pain is the worst, I live on a heating pad when I’m at home and work ( Hygienist) is getting very hard to do with the pain in my back and hands. Doctor said I have limited options for the AI due to my age so I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do. What about you?

I've been on all three, Exemestane, Anastrozole and Letrozole. I was only on Exemestane for 30 days as my insurance didn't cover it. From comments I've seen on Connect it seems as if Exemestane possibly has the worst side effects. But everyone is different, so who knows how anyone would react. My suggestion would be to discuss with your oncologist switching to one of the other AI's. My knees got horrible after a year on AI's so I started taking collagen supplements (I prefer the capsules). They are back to normal, but I still have back and torso pain. I now wonder if that is (partially?) the Prolia I'm also on. Fingers crossed you find relief somewhere.

Good morning . I’m 61 and on anastrozole after lumpectomy/reconstruction and 15 rounds of radiation. It put me in a tail spin mentally and physically… probably had almost every side effect.( more details if you want/need). Took a vacation from the drug and felt better in about 3-4 weeks. I’m 99% estrogen/ progesterone positive. I got more supports in place from MD Anderson- but living 3hrs away some I couldn’t do( massages, acupuncture)but healthy yoga was a zoom class. I started exemestane… I ended up with ,insomnia, fatigue and severe hand joint pain…I took about a month break. I was able to find an acupuncturist close to me and have been doing that weekly for a month, and restarted Exemestane. My acupuncturist is also an oncologist and is holistic. She suggested a few more supplements. I am currently sleeping well and hand joint point( I have mild arthritis in hands)back to what it was. I am hoping to be able to stay on drug with success this time. I do and have been eating better, not drinking much, continuing yoga and walking- now about to swim because pool is warm enough 😊. I have bone density test and check up in June.
The acupuncture has been such a blessing for me mentally and physically. Sleeping again!!!

* everyone is different- I have several friends that had no side effects from anastrozole.