Aromatase Inhibitors: Did you decide to go on them or not?

Yes I made the change last week from the AI's to natural AI's which my naturopathic MD prescribed. It's a long list of supplements that all block aromatase, but my side effects to all three AI's made it intolerable for me.

I have no doubt that you were having side effects from Tamoxifen. I just pray that AI goes better for you. There will be changes but hopeful not misery.

Well In the past two years I went thu 24 rounds of chemo, 30 radiations and two major surgeries I bought great bands and maintained a lean body ( i refused the steroids & Benadryl they give you with chemo ) I fasted on chemo days ate lite day before and day after and did great, the first 12 rounds cause hair loss but I used the cold cap system and didn’t loose any. Thank God , the last 14 rounds didn’t cause hair loss but I started to feel majorly tired then towards the end I noticed I was feeling depressed , achy ,no energy gaining weight and I assumed the treatments had caught up with me and I would feel better when it was over but no I felt WORSE Tamoxifen starter in March. Chemo ended 6/16. So after months of severe fatigue , achy body everywhere, weight gain, depression , I looked pregnant. Dr finally took me
Off 10/13. I still feel awful and waiting for it to reverse itself. We are going to try Arimidex in January (just had my final reconstruction surgery yesterday YAY!!!!!!). Sorry about the long story but it’s to confirm it was tamoxifen that caused All
This

I am trying to reach Mayo Clinic in Phoenix to get a second opinion as I'm just flabbergasted that the AI's, for those with bad side effects, didn't continue finding new molecules that could have less side effects! The bone and joint pain alone is frighteningly bad (for me)...

I would first say I was in my 30s when I took it, and I had a surgical oopherectomy at the same time. Although I did not gain weight on tamoxifen. I did have a lot of changes starting at that time. My skin started to age, my hair started to change texture. Essentially I started the normal aging process of a post menopausal woman. I just noticed it more because it happened earlier, and frankly faster. I started gaining weight when I had an accident and got pretty de-conditioned as a result. It has been a stubborn problem every since.
Have you felt that the pandemic has affected your activity levels over the last year? Have you seen a skin care specialist about your skin?

Did it cause weight gain ? I put 7 lbs on tamoxifen in just 9 mos my body and skin changed drastically
Dr is trying something else in Jan

Did it cause weight gain ? I put 7 lbs on tamoxifen in just 9 mos my body and skin changed drastically
Dr is trying something else in Jan

Reading the side effects of any medicine can be overwhelming. Many of us did fine on AI's. My only tip is to walk longer than 20 minutes. My doc said she heard that from many people. Pain at first and then it gets better if you walk longer. I finished my time on an AI and almost feel I felt better while on it! But honestly it just means I am that much older 🙂