I developed breast cancer at 50. Oestrogen positive.
i had surgery chemotherapy, radiotherapy and then Herceptin as I was Her2 positive.
For the last 10 years I have been taking Exemestane as advised by my Oncologist.
I was discharged from Oncology five years ago, with my GP taking over my care.
i know I’m only supposed to take this drug for 10 years.
I 60 now and truly exhausted, brain fog aching joints to name but a few.
I really feel it’s time to come off this drug now.
please advice me.
Hi oozy dog,
Welcome to our online community and thank you for reaching out to us. I’m Alison, one of the cancer information nurses on the support line here at Macmillan.
It sounds as though you had a very intense treatment protocol, and I hope you have been doing well since then. It’s not unusual to experience side effects from hormone therapy such as fatigue, joint pain and brain fog.
If you have been taking Exemestane for the recommended time and feel the side effects are impacting your quality of life, we would recommend speaking with your GP about stopping your hormone therapy. You shouldn’t need to wean yourself off this treatment and there’s some evidence to suggest that Exemestane continues to reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back for many years after you stop taking it.
If you would like to talk this through some more with one of our nurses, please don't hesitate to get back in touch with us. We would be more than happy to discuss it and answer any other questions or concerns you may have. You can call our support line, email or use our online forums.
Best wishes
Alison P
Cancer Information Nurse
