Aromatase Inhibitors: Did your oncologist suggest a drug vacation?

I don't have any research on drug breaks, but just anecdotally it seems like a drug holiday is quite common. I think it can also be diagnostic, as it may show if the symptoms appear to be drug induced. It might help to talk to your oncologist and get some overview, such as how often you can take a break or if yet another drug might be tried. Does anything help, like mild stretching or walking at frequent intervals?

I guess my biggest question is what is it used for in the scheme of things. I started Anastrazole first bit after about 10 months, he wanted to switch to exemestane because of all the joint/muscle problems. Took me off meds completely for a month before started new one. Took between 2-3 weeks for things to “normalize”. Was on exemestane for about 13 months and he told me to stop for 3-4 weeks and then restart. Yes side effects did start to clear up (fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, shortness of breath) but it all started back as soon as restarted meds. While he did ask how it was going, only recommendation was to try yet a different med and letrizole is all that’s left. Am going to brooch the subject of maybe every other day but that does decrease the overall levels in the blood - good or bad is the question there. Also going to ask about periodic vacations maybe every 3-4 months to let my body catch up, rest etc. may know more after next visit but currently just plugging along. Will keep following this to see if anyone can help more than I have at this point.

@mir123
Yes, moving does help to a degree. Never goes completely away. I am so stiff in the mornings and the trigger fingers are painful. Hot water helps the hands. I plan to do a drug rest soon. I have a very busy time between now and the end of April. Would be nice to have a possible time of feeling better.

I’ve found for me, that the side effects of Exemestane are fewer than with the others. I laughed when I read your description of your walk — I have the Hermann Munster walk too, especially in the morning! I found that it improves with the more walking and exercise that I get. My hands hurt more when I use them a lot to cook, crochet, do embroidery, etc. I’ve been meaning to look into arthritis gloves to see if that might help bring some relief. If my symptoms don’t get any worse, I should hopefully be able to manage the next 2 1/2 years. I understand your pain and frustration. Good luck to you!

@ksue3 I hope the drug rest is truly a respite!

@alibee just a suggestion to look into. I tried 2 pairs of “arthritis gloves” and didn’t really feel they helped much. I went to some workout gloves - still had open fingers but thicker so gave more support and have almost a thermal effect. While I didn’t wear them everyday, I would use them whenever I had a bad flare and they really helped settle everything down.

@mistymar = good morning Quietriver When my wife had stage three lymphoma 13 years ago They told her it was incureable and she had maybe 5-10 years to live. When I got to thinking Cance is a new problem I never heard of it in the 1940 to 55 so what changes. Out Food. They started adding chemical to feed and fertilizer and it went to the people. we went to a total bland diet , no sugars,baked good, caned food tv diners or meats. We ate only garden fresh vegies grown without Chemical fertilizers. Beans mostly red was our main course. Six mo later w went back to the doctor to see the progression and the cancer was gone. Dr Furman put out a book on eating to live that says the same thing. something to think about good day

@alibee Hi quiet river- have you tried Blue emu on your hand and legs.it helped me and several friends a lot. I also changed my eating habits and increased the physical exercise. That removed alsmot all my pain. Little stiff in Morning but by nightfall gone.

@mistymar Hi quiet river- sounds like you are on the right track. in my life, I stopped all drugs in 1981 after I was told I had maybe six months if I took their Drugs to live caused by heart Attacks. When I stopped the drugs many of my ackes and pains disapeared also. I still have heart attackks but not as often and as bad. Today I drink a large glass of water every morning and evening, take no drugs but have high blood preasues but hawthorne and ginger brings that down for me to normal. I eat a good diet mostly vetiables and soups I make. sleep good,good energy most of the time,weight goes up and down 2 or 3 lbs a day, I had shortness of breath but that improved bye inhailing deeply hold a 3 sec release. doing this 10 min twice a day. and exercise regularly. I turn 90 in a couple weeks and am in fairly good health. I still dress my self, Climb letters do carpentery work. so I recond I'm OK. Good luck with your venture.