Has anyone changed from Anastrozole to Exemestane?

Greetings, Healthy Sorority Sis of a different kind. 9/2021 Diagnosed, age 67.
Yes,1/2023 ended chemo, started meds in 2/2022. My nickname is Zole, aka Anastrozole. April 2022, taken off to start May radiation. Had Stage 2 breast cancer mastectomy and reconstruction at the same time. Every 3 mos, "Healthy Checkups" fyi, I do best not to claim and try to guide body, mind, spirit to think Healthy. When diagnosed. I'd correct dr and staff when they said Cancer,etc. and I'd say, Healthy Sick, healed. etc.
July 22 started zole again changed end of Dec. 2025 to Dex.
Each happy, healthy checkup, now every 6 months, I'd express concerns. Would ask, how long does it take to detox Chemo fog, aches, etc.
Feb. 2026: Fog lifted, cognitive thinking improved. However, still not the same. I constantly repeat, I know my body and mind. Most of the side effects continued; however, happy to have Brain working better. The biggest side effect is: Weight Gain, up 33 lbs since January. My homeopathic creams and supplements of magnesium, etc has helped with muscular and joint pain. At the end of Aug, I return to the team for a health visit. This time they will run tests on thyroid. I've always had weight challenges. This gain was not earned.
Once I receive Happy Healthy results, I will emphasize: WT gain, fatigue, tired, energy, Hair and side effects, increasing LDL, etc.
I WILL ASK IF I CAN TAKE EVERY OTHER DAY. I HAVE 3 YRS LEFT. Will I continue after 3 yrs, is TBD.

@rosa1935 hey Rosa. This works for me, but not for all. What I have learned that all breast cancers and cures?? , and reactions are all different. I am glad this worked for you, however! You are warrior.

Yes. I switched to Exemestane for a short time after having side effects from Anastrozole. For me the drugs were the same. I switched back to Anastrozole because it was less expensive. I have been taking Anastrozole for nearly three years. It helped me to take a couple of breaks in the first two years. I’ve gotten more acclimated to the lack of estrogen and tolerant of the symptoms. But it’s not easy. I have a high risk of recurrence. For women who have low risk the options for discontinuing AI meds is completely different.

Tamoxifen is for women who are premenopausal. It is not an AI. Aromatase Inhibitors (AI) are for post menopausal women. Are you post menopausal now? Your diagnosis and prognosis 16 years post DCIS is what determines the best treatment.

Unfortunately many things people post in these groups is nonsense. Exemestane has a different mechanism of action but it still blocks the production of hormones that your body converts to estrogen. It’s this process as well as the lack of estrogen that causes side effects.

The idea that hydration will fix your symptoms is not accurate. It’s always important to stay hydrated. Symptoms of dehydration are similar — brain fog, fatigue and headaches, etc. Your medication symptoms may feel similar. If you’re drinking enough fluids you’ll be fine. You don’t need special drinks. Hydration isn’t a cure for the side effects. Many foods and beverages have electrolytes. Coconut water and/or anything with potassium is sufficient. Commercial brands with flavorings and chemicals are just gimmicks.

@angele2times no you don’t. Especially with Anastrozole. You can stop
it anytime and there are no side effects

@rosa1935
Just be careful, of switching too fast. From one hormone blocker to another you have to give yourself and the medicine a break. ")

I get blood tests, regularly cos I’m also
In a blood thinner. No one told me that cancer thickens the blood and whilst on hols in Spain, jan 23, I developed blood clots in my lungs, pulmonary embolism. If I hadn’t decided to go to hospital, 23 jan, i woukd t be writing this x

@rosa1935

I switched from A to E because of joint pain.

Then E spiked my liver enzymes. Now going to start Letrozole. Almost in liver failure.

Watch your bloodwork.

Hi. I was on Anastrozole from sept 21 to July 23. I had lumpectomy on my right breast and chemo. The Anastrozole has ruined my back and joints making walking very difficult. In July 23 I changed to Exemestane but the damage had been done by Anastrozole. Before I was prescribed exemestane I had an mri to make sure there was nothing g lurkink. I’ve beenon exemestane for 3 years now but I only take it every second day as the meds stay in the body for 50 hours. An eminent oncologist in America, can’t remember his name, said that he had no problem with his patients taking exemestane every second day if it relieved there’s symptoms. I was too late changing meds as tge Anastrozole had done the damage. I’m ok siting but I need to stop every few mins, to sit down, when we are out. I hadn’t mammogram ladt msrch and so far, fingers crossed, I’m
Ok. I’m 74 and was 69 when I found my lump. Best of Irish ☘️ luck to you ☘️

HI, I didn't do Letrozole just right to Exemestane. I am having little to now side effects from Exe, because of PROPEL. It's a water supplement that has electrolytes in it. I take the Exemestane at lunch and follow all lunch with PROPEL. I am busiest in the afternoons, so I am not concentrating on this. Works great. When I first started had a couple of nights sweats then that went away, on Propel. The Propel doesn't seem to interfere at all.
Glad you are having amazing results too. We have had enough of everything running amok, so this is a nice break.
Continued great results with this too!!

I have had amazingly better results with Exemastane than Letrozole but I still have the distressing side effeof losing estrogen