Hi Everyone
I have been following the posting from women, like me, who have moved from Tamoxifen to an aromatase inhibitor. In my case I am following the recommended treatment of Tamoxifen for 2 years and Aromasin for 3. I was prescribed Aromasin (Exemestane) after voicing concerns abou the side effects from Arimadex. I have been taking Aromasin for 1 month and I feel very well on it. There is one other issue I think is worth sharing; my doctor has put me on a calcium supplement as aromatase inhibitors can thin the bones. Please be aware that many of the chewable tablets contain soya oil. There are quite a few legitimate studies on the internet saying that soya can promote the production of eostrogen and interfer with the effects of hormone treatments. You will make up your own mind about this but, I asked my doctor to give me a supplement that does not contain soya. This had to be a drink and I am taking Calfovit-D3, which is not unpleasant to drink. Hope this helps!
Really interesting. I have just started Tamoxifen but my Onc has already warned me that she may change me over to the drug you are on. I was peri menopausal when I got BC and the Onc wants to see what happens but thinks the other drug might be better for me. I am looking out for SE’s at the moment and cannot decide whether the fatigue and aching joints are from the 6 chemos or the Tamoxifen. I have also read that sugar increases the production of Oestrogen.
When I was first put on Adcal d3 i noticed the soya content and discussed this with my onc who said that there are small amounts of soya in many things and that a small amount will not do harm. He said he could change me to Calceos tablets but these have lower amounts of calcium so are not as good for the bones as Adcal. When you start looking there are so many things that contain traces of soya. I dont think its a problem unless you are having something like soya milk for example.
I was commenced on Aromasin last week, following 2 years on tamoxifen. I feel terrible!! Has anyone experienced awful side-effects and what did you do? I am exhasted and my back and legs ache. I feel as if I am in a fog. Tamoxifen made me tired, but I put that down to the menapause. Help!
Heya
Not had a good experience on either Arimadex or Femara, crippling pains, couldnt walk, sleep, 24/7 nausea. Never tried Aromasin,onc said no point if other two were so bad. Went back on tamox, but now wondering if this was best decision. Why not try the 3rd Aromatase Inh avail. Also had just had ovaries out and finished herceptin when tried them. Now a year later, I’m going back to onc to ask if tamox still his only recommendation. Finding life on tamox less painful, but flushes are very emotionally fuelled with anxiety and depression now an issue. Every day gets worse.
Think I have 2 choices. start taking “allowed” antidepressant SNRI to continue with tamox or give Aromasin a try and hopefully dont have to go down antidepressant route (got took off citralopram last year due to research results showing interferance with tamox)… how do we know any antidepressant is “safe” with these drugs. Am so lost with this all now.
Hello 00Jan and everyone else,
I was so sad to hear that you are suffering from side affects and feeling so down. I don’t know if this will help but I have had little or no side effects on Tamoxifen or Aromasin, aside from entirely bearable stiffness in joints. I swim 3 times per week and play tennis and I am sure this helps with my sense of well being. Please bear with me if this sounds a little ‘off the wall’ to you, but, I also practice relaxation meditation which makes me feel great and rids me of stress. During relaxation, I sometimes visualise the medication being absorbed and nourishing my body. I think this makes a difference as it is a message to the part of the brain that controls the immume system and general health. I am 60 now and had my treatment two and a half years ago. It helps being post menapausal, I think. It is depressing getting cancer, but, I believe we can have some control over how our immune system functions and how well we heal…and feel. What started me on this is a wonderful book (on the hospital reading list) called ‘Love Medicine and Miracles’ by Dr. Bernie Siegel. I recommend it to anyone wanting to learn about how powerful our minds are in influencing our bodies. I hope this helps!
I, too, was concerned with the soya in Adcal-D3 but have come to the conclusion like others that there are small amounts of soya in many things, like bread, and I don’t think a small amount does harm. I am against phyto-oestrogens in large amounts and avoid these but a small amount may actually be useful in helping to block oestrogen receptors.
Ann x
winchester babe - I am very interested in your experience, thank you for telling us. Having made major diet changes, my next area to tackle is some form of meditation or relaxation - sounds like I will need it when I start AIs next month! Does the Siegel book tell you how to start, or is it more about the theory?
Thanks finty xx
Hi Finty
The Siegel book is inspirational because it gives lots of good (true) stories about how visualisation and relaxation improve our immune system and, in some cases, even give people classed as ‘terminal’ many extra years! There are a lot of books and CD’s available on relaxation/ meditation. The one I personally found most useful was Harry Carpenter’s book ‘The Genie Within’. You can find it on the internet. The reason I like this book is that it contains a lot of practical relaxation routines which you can also get from the author on audio CD for only a few pounds. I listen to them regularly and they really help. The book is also the most simple and clear explanation I have ever read about how the subconscious mind works (where the immune system sits). Oops, sounds like I am giving a lecture…don’t mean to; I just want to share what has helped me so much.
Bye for now
Jxx (Winchester Babe)
Finty
I realise that you have posted before about diet changes, but I’m afraid to admit that at that time I wasn’t really interested, I was going through more of a ‘live for the moment’ and enjoy whatever I like phase. I have recently started to get concerned about how fat my stomach is getting (the rest of my body has no change at all!) and I have read about fat cells producing oestrogen. I want to start making changes so was wanting advice on which foods are considered ‘most dangerous’ I love food, so don’t think that I could make massive changes, but want to know if there are ‘danger foods’ that I should be aware of?
Thanks Nicola x