Side Effects of Aromatase Inhibitors

My rheumatologist reccomends tumeric for joint pain and my oncologist pharmacist told me to keep taking it. I don't see where it helped with my joint pain or the pain from the anastrozole. I do find when I walk a few miles it lessens bone pain.

The side affects are real and should be taken seriously. There are online calculators that will show you the benefit of taking them or not. Mine came up .046 to 1.4% difference in overall survival over 15 years and that was taking them for 10 years. So for me it was an easy decision, I am a hard no.

Thanks for your post! It has always been my cross to bear in this moment- experts giving me the benefit of there expertise in prescribing Anastrozole and me finding myself in a place where the value of this “for me” in considering side effects versus overall benefit becomes a very lonesome reality to deal with. My one major take-away is - why can’t this particular % discussion be offered at the time of prescription. While side effects will vary widely give the person and their breast Cancer overview, this could help women to make a decision that reflects the power that is inherently theirs. It would help us understand that we are not powerless, we are not whining, we are not without the ability to assess, understand what is happening to us!

This process doesn’t eliminate anything. It just allows a personal input and value to a prescription that seems cookie-cutter.

Your post is a welcomed addition to a thought process that needs to be here. Thanks again!

can you tell me how to find the on line calculators?

Yes, indeed. Where can I find these online calculators? I am particularly interested in finding "absolute risk" for specific AIs.

Yes, here are a few of them....while no calculator or algorithm is 100% accurate, these can be helpful with decision making.
https://breast.predict.nhs.uk/tool
The above link is helpful for chemo/endocrine therapy

and one for radiation benefit...
https://www.tuftsmedicalcenter.org/ibtr/
There are lots of others out there as well just search for breast cancer calculator/nomograms. MDAnderson has several also.

I have been reading this blog for several months as I've worked my way through 3 AIs and Tamoxifen with great trepidation. I feel obligated to speak up now. I was told at the beginning of this post surgery/post radiation journey that I may need to try all the AIs and Tamoxifen to find one that I can tolerate. And I report back that yes, it took trying 3 AIs and Tamoxifen. I was ready to quit trying, but my oncology NP said, if your cancer recurs or you have metastasis, won't you always wonder if you should've tried that last option. (Knowing there is no guarantee anyway.) I have been taking Anastrazole now for three months and am tolerating it well. I do have joint pain in my shoulders, wrists, and fingers, but it is so much less than with the others. I had dizziness and insomnia in the first couple weeks, but that has resolved. My hair is healthy. I don't think I'm losing my mind. Effexor 37.5 mg has helped immensely with the hot flashes. If I keep moving, the joint pain is almost negligible. I do water aerobics and walk. I find scrolling on my phone to be painful, so I should limit that anyway. I wish you all well. Don't give up too easily.

I am also on Anasterzole. Challenging but doable!

@trudygh
Inspirational… That’s inspiring! I’m over 72, and I still work out, even though I’m limited to 5 pounds on my spin bike after my lumpectomy and radiation. I also need to visit the gym for the variety they offer. I have a spin bike, treadmill, and free weights up to 10 pounds. I am conflicted about Anastrozole. I want to catch up with weights not go all bone and joint pain and regress