Hello everyone, this is my first blog on here and I thought it looked a good site to check out other people's experiences regarding treatment. Briefly, two years ago I was disagnosed with breast cancer (hormone receptor positive) and had a tumour removed and then had chemo and radio-therapy followed by two years' tamoxifen. In that two years I've felt tired, achey, with painful joints and in the course of one year over seven eye tests because my eyes just wouldn't settle down (about four pairs of glasses later I can now see pretty good). Now that I've got aromasin I've just got round to reading the leaflet about the side effects and, although my doc has never accepted there's anything wrong re tiredness/exhaustion and muscle/joint pains, it's there in black and white! I just hope the aromasin doesn't affect me as much - has anyone else had similar problems with tamoxifen/any information on taking aromasin first hand?
FormerMember
Welcome to the site.
I had a mastectomy and chemo in 2005. Since then have been on tamoxifen.
I too have very achy joints, especially my wrists and ankles. My oncologist said it was nothing to do with any of the treatments or pills.
As I never had these before I feel there is something that has caused it. Maybe the fact that I no longer have oestrogen feeding my bones and joints.
I take glucosamine every day. Also drink lots of water (which i find very hard) and avoid too much red meat and wine. This has helped. When I over indulge in the wrong things I am noticeably more uncomfortable. The hot sweats are also worse. This may all be a coincidence, but these things certainly work for me.
I think you will find a way to cope which suits you. But when you think of what our bodies have gone and still are going through, it is no wonder we feel the effects.
I didn't have quite the same treatment for breast cancer as you did but I am also now on a hormone suppressent drug called Femara. During my treatment I have seen three different types of specialist: surgeon, radiotherapy consulatant and the guy I call "The Pill Doctor" - I'm sure he has a fancy title and it seems none of them is convinced that their branch of treatment is responsible for my various aches and pains! The surgeon blames the drugs, the radiographer blames the surgery and the drugs and The Pill Doc blames the surgery and the radiotherapy. Not a lot of help to me or you! All I say is - yes, drink water, rest when you feel tired... just generally listen to your body.
One interesting thing The Pill Doc told me was - a premenopausal woman has an oestrogen marker of 1000, a postmenopausal woman has a marker of 100, with the hormone suppressing drugs it takes the marker down to zero, so it is bound to have side-effects on the body.
Hi KateG, thanks for your response. My GP tried to tell me it was my age (cheek of it, I'm only 55!) and that he also gets tired and has to put his feet up before surgery! I only recently took out the leaflet (Tamoxifen) and it clearly states that tiredness, muscle and joint aches are side effects. Also blurred vision which no-one would accept was a problem too. I'm just a bit scared of going on to the Aromasin which has even more side effects!
It's not just Tamoxifen that can cause blurred vision: apparently Aromasin (exemestane) can in some cases too. You are right - there doesn't seem to be any way round these confounded drugs. Take them and suffer something (ie joint pain, hot flushes etc) or don't and possibly get a recurrence: trouble is you don't know if you would get a recurrence or not. Still, doesn't menopause in itself give you nausea, hot flushes, joint pain, and osteoporosis? I've just checked the Aromasin site and a trial was carried out between Exemestane and a Placebo. In nearly all the side effects, those on the placebo suffered more!!!
