Symptom of "sick" looking eyes

Posted by Rom828 @jgallagher04921, May 4 7:27pm

Anyone know how long it takes to get skin symptoms from an AI? I am 44, been on Exemestane only since February. My eyes have been starting to look sickly....very red around the eyes and the outsode corners look like small tears but no blood. I'm wondering if this is symptom from AI? Just seems a little too soon for AI to have already effected skin? Anyone have similar situation?

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windyshores | @windyshores | May 5 12:05am

I have never heard of AI's affecting skin or causing a symptom like that. Do you think there is another cause? I did 5 years letrozole with no effect on skin other than maybe slight thinning on my forearms.

gently | @gently | May 5 4:41am

This article references redness as an effect of AI
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8765131/#R25
"foreign body sensation, blurred vision, redness, and photophobia"
The supposition is that the redness is caused by dry eye from the medications. Lubricant drops are suggested, but an eye exam might be wise. Less reported symptoms are often dismissed by our medical providers. You may wish (I think it always adviseable) to report the symptoms to the prescribing physician.

cedar75 | @cedar75 | May 6 1:53pm

I had red itchy eyes that felt like I had something in them. My ophthalmologist’s wife had breast cancer and was on exemestane too. He was great. He knew all about this. He did a thorough exam and prescribed eye drops that really helped. He also noted these medications can enhance cataract formation. I ultimately developed severe trigger finger and hand problems with exemestane. I went off it for six weeks and all eye symptoms went away. My oncologist then switched me to letrozole. I have had no eye problems but the muscular and tendon issues better known as aromatase muscular skeletal syndrome still persist. Currently I exist with them but my quality of life is certainly not what it was before breast cancer I am trying to eke out my last of the five years and then we see. The best to you and all of our breast cancer sisters

gegost1955 | @gegost1955 | May 6 4:25pm

In reply to @cedar75 "I had red itchy eyes that felt like I had something in them. My ophthalmologist’s wife..." + (show)

You are doing better than myself. I took one and a half year Anastrosole and I took myself off it - will see oncologist in two week and know he will not be happy. I had red itchy eyes, never had that before and was told that it is allergy’s. As soon as I was off the Anastrosole all these little side effects subsided in two weeks. Keep posting to see what you found out.