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

Hi, have you gone to a foot specialist? I did and have planters fasciitis, I have gotten custom orthotics right around Christmas and I can say for the most part I am pain free now. I can't walk barefoot too good yet but I think in time I will be able to as well. Also vionic makes great shoes for it if thats what you get diagnosed with.

Hi jeannie. Before I could respond Yahomich noted her plantar fasciitis. I'm on Letrozole, another AI. About 9 months in I had the painful arch pain. I had to roll my feet on the carpet to loosen them just to stand up and then walk slowly until it eased. It was written off as simply plantar fasciitis. Funny thing is about 4 months later it disappeared as quickly as it had arrived. I swear it's another side effect. I also had slight joint pains in my knees, back, 7 months in that have mostly resolved. I'm at 20 months.The only lingering is hair thinning. Started at 7 months, stopped after about 2, and has slightly re-started. I'm in this for the long haul as a stage 4 "denovo" BC. I think sometimes that's why things don't bother me as much because I don't really have a choice.

Peggie

@wyngnit Severe calf pain and the bottom of my feet. The pain was so bad I would waddle when I walked. I don't know if it has anything to do with the meds making it worse but I generally have random aches and pains anyway. I wonder if there is a connection.

Thanks
I have tendon pain that goes away w movement almost at 3 months w AI
and having first post blood tests and visits after radiation.

What time of day do you take your AI? I started seeing symptoms about 6 weeks after taking Letrozole. Muscle aches in my arms and joint pain in my hands and lower back. I first tried taking it at night, but have switched to the AM and the night pains are much better. My worst side effect is the uro-gyno atrophy (drying and thinning of vaginal and urinary tract tissue). I had 3 major urinary tract infections in four months and very painful intercourse. Have tried the Bonafide vaginal inserts, but not very helpful. I have found that staying active (walking 2-3 miles in the neighborhood 3-4 times per week), stretching and yoga, and staying hydrated have helped tremendously with the stiffness and back pain. Still have some mild hot flashes, but not as bad as menopause (I'm 64 now). I have been on letrozole about 15 months and plan to continue if the side effects stay status quo.
Also for those with brain fog, have you had your thyroid, D3, and/or B12 levels checked? A year before my BC diagnosis, I was having terrible brain fog, digestion issues, and neuropathy in my right leg. Finally went to the doctor and found I was very low on both vitamin levels and was hypothyroid. Once I started taking D3 and B12, my brain fog lifted and I was back to my old self. I started on probiotics and changed my diet to gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free and my digestion issues and thyroid levels are better, plus I lost 45 lbs! Definitely worth checking into!

@jeannie53
I would love to go off of them... really would as I've had so many troublesome side effects... but as you know, none of us are cancer-free (we're only in remission) and that's like a Sword of Damocles which always is hanging over my head.

@wyngnit My aches started about a month on Anastrozole. I stayed on it for six months I could barely walk some days. When I told my doctor how I felt she told me I should have never gone that long. Thought I was toughing it out apparently I was wrong. She switched me to Tamoxifen tried it didn't like that either and now I don't take anything. Not saying I've made the correct decision but quality of life is important to me.

I've been on Letrozole for 2months, doctor told me it would cause stiffness and joint pain if I didn't stay active. Which turned out to be true once I started walking and stretching more the joint pain went away, I have no other problems from it I'm 68 so already have some fogginess.