Exemestane

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Exemestane

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Exemestane Hi, I’m new to the web site and I’m just wondering if anybody has suffered from joint pains whilst taking exemestane. I’ve been taking exemestane for the past 18 months after 4 years of taking tamoxifen, and I still suffer from night sweats and painful legs! However, I’m finding that I’m getting more severe pain in my knees, ankles and elbows. I just wondered if anybody else has had this problem?

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Exemestane Hi Flower1
Yes, Ive been taking exemestane since last November, and have increasing joint pain and stiffness - especially in my fingers. I’ve talked to my GP about this. He suggested taking glucosamine and chrondroitin. I don’t know if it’s doing any good, but I’m taking it anyway! I must warn you, though, that it is expensive. GPs are able to prescribe it, but mine won’t.
Ellie

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Thanks Ellie Hi Ellie,
I saw my oncologist today, and he’s taken me off the exemestane. I feel relieved but also frightened as he’s not put me on any thing else! I had thought about taking supplements like you but I will wait and see if the damage is reversed once I’ve been off the exemestane for a while.
Flower

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Flower…I noticed that you have had 4 years of tamoxifen, followed by 18months of exemestane…so you have actually had more than the usual 5 years of endocrine therapy. For this reason, I do not think you should worry unduly about not taking anything right now.

I am quite curious, though , as to why you were switched when you were, and to exemestane; the usual protocol is tamoxifen for 2-3 years, then switch to exemestane…or tamoxifen for 5 years, followed by 5 years of letrozole (femara). Not trying to worry you…just curious.

I have had sequential therapy, as per the first option, so have been taking aromasin (exemestane) for just over a year. I am luckily feeling better on it than I did on tamoxifen…no aches or pains. However, my hair is thinning…

Hopefully you will start feeling better soon.

Sam

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Thanks Sam, just to fill you in! Sam, I was changed from tamoxifen after 4 years because they were worried I had uterine cancer! I ended up having a laporoscopy where they removed my ovaries as they both had cysts, plus I had endemetriosis and adhesions, so then 3 months later I had to have a hysterectomy. Although I didn’t have uterine cancer, (thank God), there was a strong possibility that it would turn cancerous if not removed. My oncologist changed my medication after the laparoscopy.
Thanks for your good wishes.
Flower