I had BC in late 2007…Following surgery and lymph node removal had chemo and Rads… Started on Tamoxefin July 2008, put on loads of weight which ONC catergorically denies is Tamoxefin. Your thoughts on this please.
Have know been prescribed Examastene and I am very worried about side effects… flipping long list of them. I feel I tolerated Tam quite well except for putting on over two stone.
Help Please.
Bobbie
Hi Corsa
I had BC September 2007. Was put on Tamox in December 2007 following rads. No chemo. The generic Tamox didn’t suit me at all so I went onto Nolvedex D, still tamox but the branded version. That was discontinued last year and so I was given Exemestane.
For the first few months I was stiff as a board first thing in the morning and if I sat for any length of time I had trouble getting up. That’s gone now and I’m fine as far as that’s concerned.
The only side effect I get is fatigue. I have to be careful not to ‘flatten my batteries’. If I do it takes 24 hours to get started again.
I think I felt better and more energetic when I was on Nolvadex but Exemestane is fine. I have no grumbles and if it’s keeping the BC at bay that’ll do for me.
I agree that the list of SE’s is pretty scary but everyone is different and it’s a case of try it and see.
I hope this helps and you find that it;s not as bad as you fear.
Keep well
J xx
Hi Jan, Thank you so much for your positive views of Examastene…I remember being equally as scared to start Tamoxefin. Fatigue is a problem with me but dragging extra weight around does not help!!!
As you say you have to give things a try …Anything to keep BC at bay.
Again many thanks Bobbiexx
I put loads of weight on on Tamox Corsa. I saw the dietician attached to the cancer clinic at the hospital and managed to lose quite a bit. However since I’ve been on Exemestane I’ve lost rather than gained, not lost much prob only a few pounds but you never know!!
Best of luck with it. Keep in touch I’d be interested to know what your experience is.
Love J xx
I lost three and a half stone on Exemestane, last year. I was on Arimidex before and struggled with my weight. I find I have fewer side effects eg joint pain with Exemestane, as well.
Good luck
Anne
Hi Anne, Well done you …presume you had to diet. Did you exercise ??
I was on holiday last week swam everyday and put on 2lb. Started on Examastene on return from holiday last Sunday. A bit more tired but so far so good.
Bobbie
Yes lots of exercise, every day at the gym and Weightwatchers. One daughter got married in September which was the big incentive and the other is getting married in 4 weeks time, so I have had to continue the good work! I do aqua aerobics 5 times a week, swim, use the gym and do a body conditioning class too. I even lost weight on holiday recently, and I’m really not sure how! It is definitely easier for me to lose weight on Aromasin and it’s so much easier to exercise as my joints are much less painful. I wish you success with it.
Anne
I just started on Exmastene and am wondering about side effects. My oncologist wanted to put me on them when I had primary cancer but didn’t because I’ve got osteoporosis and it thins your bones. Now I have secondaries and he has put me on them.
Hi was on tamoxifen and had zoladex injections in 2004 found I pilled on the pounds. then diagnosed again in march last year back on aromasin and wow where did my tummy come from its huge lol.so in my books aromasin extamestin does put weight on wishing you all well x
Thanks Walton I put weight on when I was on tamoxifen. I will have to watch what I eat but I don’t eat much anyway.
You want to try being on steroids.You get fat as a pig on them I went from size 14 to size 20!
Thanks for the good wishes Walton good luck to you too.
Hi All you examastene babes …been on the dreaded stuff for a week know tummy a bit sore… but not to bad… feel I am swimming in treacle.I still need you guys from time to time…Friends who have not been there think that’s it, 3yrs on shut up and get on with it.
Thanks for you help yet again.
Luv Bobbiexx
hello
i’ve been on exemastane for about 3 months and letrozole for 9 months before that. had an oophorectomy 13 months ago. just had the first fracture of my life - i’m 52. has anyone else had fractures or similar issues on AIs/after ooph? been advised to have a dexa scan to check bone strength, and wondered if anyone else had been in the same position?
thanks
mon xxx
Hi daisyleaf
I’m on Exemestane and Letrozole before that. I had a Dexa as a matter of course which was OK, no bone weakness. However I’ve still been prescribed calcium tablets and recently went to the docs and mentioned that I keep forgetting to take the calcium. he told me off and said that I needed it because the AI’s weaken your bones.
I think it would be a good idea for you to ask for a Dexa and ask for some calcium.
Jan xx
thanks jan. i had a baseline dexa prior to the oophorectomy, but haven’t had calcium px’d. i need to see if there’s any change, don’t want this to happen again!
take care x
I was diagnosed with osteopaenia when I had my baseline scan (as I was on Arimidex and now on Aromasin)so have been prescribed Alendronic acid and Adcal D3 for about 3 years now. The scores improved a bit after the first year and are now stable. I had a complicated fracture of my upper arm while in India 2 years ago but was told that anyone who fell as badly as I did would have had a fracture!
All the best
Anne
Hi ALL
I’ve worked out why tamoxifen and Examastine puts weight om
n. It causes fluid retention. I’ve been off tamoxifen for 9 months since then I lost weight . Now have been on Examastene for 10 days and my jeans have got tighter but not put any weight on. I have been peeing a lot less than normal but drinking as much fluids as normal. I got thinking they both get rid of any oestrogen from our bodies. Now how did we fell before periods due to low oestrogen levels the same way = fluid retention. So I have decided to take aromasin just two days a week.Clever buggar aren’t I?1
hello veggiebab
forgive me for being thick - not having a good day - but was that last comment a joke?
mon xxx
Hi All , Getting the hot flushes and anxiety, up one minute down the next. Think my body had got used to Tamoxefin but since the change to Exemestane feeling a bit edgy… Veggiebab think you have hit the nail on the head …I am on diuretics which usually make me pee for England but not anymore. Feel I have permanent PMT …at 65!!! LOL will it ever end.
Bobbie
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