***OESTROGEN-REDUCING MEDICATIONS***

I am on aromasin (exemestane). I started with Letrozole but was changed after about 6 months. The exemestane is I think mildly better. I don't now get such sore hands.  I have been on it for just over a year. I also recently had 5 steroid injections in my feet which helped relieve some of the pain in my feet but not all and I also have now had my feet measured and have had NHS supplied made to measure boots which have a very wide toe box and help support my ankle that has had sub talar arthritis since before chemo. You could ask to try exemestane, I was fortunate to get Aromasin which is the brand name but it is expensive so there was some hesitation. I have an appointment today with physio therapy and am hoping that may help me get more mobile. 

BTW your osteoarthritis diagnosis may help you qualify for a blue badge, it is worth it's weight in gold to me.

Xx

I'm on tamoxifen.  It will be 2 years mid July. The past month has been awful with swollen joints in hands, knees, hips. It hurts to walk. My feet hurt and ankles swollen. My sleep is appalling and I've had to resort to sleeping tablets I got just to get more than a few hours shut eye. I feel old. I'm 50. Will be on these for another 3 years but like others if it prevents it coming back then the odds are better. I do wish we were made more aware of the post treatment effects.  Its like you had surgery and rads here's your tablets with no support.

I feel in limbo as for past 3 months I've been trying to get my care transferred as I moved areas so don't really have contact with a bcn.

I have been on Letrozole for 3.5 years now and it just gets worse. They should tell you about the side effects when they happily hand you your first prescription and as you say, with no support.

I am going to put a letter in the suggestion box at the breast care centre to see if they can give more information about side effects at your final appointment.

This website is a great help so you know you are not alone with this rubbish as I thought it may be arthitis or my lymphoedema causing the pain.

I have been on Anastrozole for three months. Increasing joint and muscle pain, very fatigued, significantly disrupted sleep ( even some nightmares), and low moods on some days. Beginning to wonder if it is worth it for the quality of life. I am taking Sun Pharmaceuticals brand and think it may be worth switching to another, possibly Accord, if anyone has had similar experiences? 
I want to try to persist at least for a while, as I only finished radiotherapy five weeks ago, and am having three weekly Herceptin injections, so perhaps the layering of the treatments is exacerbating the Anastozole’s effects? I also had an aggressive form of chemo, if that finished nearly 5 months ago now. Had so expected to be feeling much more like my old self by now and surprised I’m still feeling physically and emotionally rubbish, if better on some days.

I have also just had to start biosphonates, so if anyone has any experience of the effects of Anastrozole/ equivalent and biosphonates taken together, it would be very helpful. 
Determined to try and move forward with my new “ normal”, and so wonderful to realise I’m not alone in feeling this way. Thank you, all!

Hi HappyFeet1 , I’m 8/8 ER positive too, so when I’ve finished my chemotherapy, I will be starting oestrogen lowering tablets- they say Letrozole, for 10 years. Side effects don’t sound great, but if it helps keep the cancer from returning, I will go with the side effects. 

Take care X

We are alive !!!! That's what I try and hold onto, that thought. Learning to make the most of it.  X

Absolutely x

Hi Rosie you are not alone the start is the worse time as time goes on normally by month 3 things tend to even out and you start to feel better keep going if you want to speak to me about this

Just been to see the Oncology team for f/u. Changing from Letrozole to Tamoxifen. I have osteoporisis in my wrists. Reading the side effects of Tamoxifen not sure they will be any better but they are a bit more bone sparing. It's choosing you poison I think. I don't really want periods again at 66yrs. I had endometriosis. Life is such fun. I want to start planting my garden again. Work on my bl..dy waistline. Haha 

Looking adorable!!

Barbara