Estrogen Positive Breast Cancer and Menopause Symptoms

Hi there yes I have been through it and still going through it.  It is the menopause and the oestrogen blockers like exemestane.  Unfortunately it is something that we have to put up with, unless someone has any ideas.  I do find that keeping active like walking helps, if I sit down I stiffen up and am in more pain.  Have you run the collagen past your oncologist because I'm not sure that it is okay.  I do think it does ease up in the long run, how long do you have to take the exemastane for?  I really hope we find a solution.  Big hugs.

Lee x

Hi yes similar symptoms. I had bc 2004 then hysterectomy 2007 & surgical menopause not hrt because of the past bc but i didnt suffer with any post surgical menopause symptoms.

Then had a recurrence grade 2 er,pr positive, last your 2025 in my reconstruction so had radiotherapy then Anastrozole. It sent my BP sky high so swapped to Extremesine but muscle, joint and bone pain is too much so im on break. Ive got an appointment to see the oncologist on Friday and im hoping he will tell me I can stay off the hormone blockers

Sorry you have had to go through another round of treatment.

I was told by my oncologist that if the pain was too intense I could stop taking hormone blockers, but he caveated that with it does though increase the risk of recurrence. I guess I am thinking that anything I can do to stop that happening I will, so staying on them. That being said though, the pain is so bad and it doesn’t stop so not sure if I can do this for years!

I hope that your oncologist has a solution that you are happy with .

Hi! I had no idea collagen might be a no! Thank you for flagging it-I have emailed my oncology nurse to ask the question!

I’m so sorry that you are also going through the pain, it is just so frustrating!

I am on Exemestane for 5 years!

still hopeful someone may have a miracle solution for us!

Hi. I had problems with letrozole so changed to Exemestane too and still have joint pain in my feet, hands and knees. I've just finished a month break from it but the joint pain is still there unfortunately. I had some arthritis before all this so maybe it would have happened anyway. I've asked my oncologist about tart cherry extract capsules and she said she couldn't find anything against taking them so I've been taking them for a few months. Also rubbing diclofenac gel/voltarol on my knees helps too. 

I find morning and through the night is worst and during the day it eases a bit unless I overdo things. She also said we can look into changing from Exemestane to anastrozole or tamoxifen if the side effects get unbearable when I go back on Exemestane tomorrow. It's worth having another chat with your team to see what they recommend. 

Take care. x

Hi, I was told to come off all HRT/vitamins/collagen/statins - everything so that nothing gets in the way of treatment. Only thing I was allowed to stay on was Flecinade for my heart palpitations.