Covid vaccination and exemestane

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can some one tell me me what bloods etc I should be having while on exemestane. GP says they don’t know and are writing to oncology team. Oncology team suggest yearly breast xray (mammogram) but nothing else. Also unclear about Covid.  I’ve had a 2 week break (self determined) but feel straight back to aches, pains and really bad bloating. Any advice gratefully received 

  • Hi  , I’m not a medic so can only speak about my own experience…. I’m on Anastrozole which is another hormone therapy, an aromatase inhibitor. I don’t get offered any blood test monitoring at all! I’ve been on it for over 6 years and the only bloods have been for the following: after a dexa scan, a GP suggested checking my calcium levels as I’m on calcium and vitamin D due to existing osteopenia and the potential bone thinning effects of the anastrozole (don’t know if this is the same with exemestane). Then after about 3 years on it, I requested a medication review from my GP. I got a telephone appointment with the practice pharmacist, so I asked her for blood tests to check my cholesterol as Anastrozole can raise this - she rather begrudgingly arranged for a set of blood tests which all came back either normal or satisfactory. Then last autumn I had a routine heart assessment with a nurse at my practice (simply because of my age), and had blood tests as part of that. 
    There does not appear to be any routine blood monitoring for Anastrozole, at least not in my area. Don’t know for exemestane. A friend is on tamoxifen and gets no blood monitoring either. 
    I’ve had yearly mammograms and consultation since my surgery, but am now discharged and back on the 3 yearly standard mammogram programme. Until they kick me off that at 70! But I’ll still request one as that’s an option. 
    Will be interested in others’ responses. I must say I was surprised that there was no real monitoring of any sort re the Anastrozole. Love and hugs, HFxx

    HappyFeet1 xx
    Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts. – Hopi
  • Thank you so much for that. It does seem strange. All it nothing. I may have to pay for some but a meds review sounds sensible

    Thank you again