Hi,
Has anyone else experienced GI issues on Exemestane? I switched from Letrozole about two months ago as I was suffering a lot of fatigue and joint pain.
My oncologist suggested I give the new meds four months, and for the first six weeks believed I was tolerating the new hormone therapy a lot better. However, I started to get severe intestinal cramps just over two weeks ago. Accompanied by a lot of rushing to the loo. I thought it had to be food poisoning and got a test organised. The results suggested it was neither salmonella or a bacterial infection. I started to wonder if it was a side effect of Exemestane and looked it up online, and it appears to be a common issue with some patients.
It has improved a little as I’m taking Imodium (as suggested by the practice nurse) for the worse days.
I’m unsure what to do now, apart from wait it out, and hope it settles down, or go back to Letrozole. I’m due to speak with my oncologist in a few months time. But I don’t know if I want to continue like this. It’s not a serious issue, but uncomfortable and inconvenient.
Does anyone else have any experience on this issue to share?
Thanks in advance,
Flowers and Bees
Hi
Not had any issues with tummy specifically while on Exemestane, just the usual sweats and aches. I did have an issue a couple of weeks, using a different brand, were my fingers were nearly rigid, but changing tablets seems to have righted that problem.
There is an on going issue (under investigation) with my liver ALT and ALP being extremely high since being on Exemestane. There have been tests, a CT scan showed gallstones which can affect these levels but no symptoms. All my previous bloods were quite normal until I started Exemestane. It could be purely coincidental, and an MRI is next to confirm or elimate the gallbladder. Just have to wait and see.
Thank you for getting back to me. I’ve had fewer problems with achy joints and hot flushes, and sleeping better as well. Disappointed with the tummy issues, I thought I was tolerating these meds better.
I’m sorry to hear that you’ve got gallstones and potentially a gallbladder op is on the cards. I wonder if it’s a rare side effect. Either way, not a lot of fun. Hope it turns out ok. All the best.
Yes i am suffering for 2 weeks now and its horrendous , the cramp pain followed by loose stool. I am thinking of stopping all treatmemt as i believe in quality of life which i cutrently dont have
Hi Sooty1, I know what you mean. Same problem here, though it’s better than a few weeks ago. I started eating Kefir yoghurt every morning, it may have helped as I’m only suffering with the symptoms every now and again, although I’m still getting stomach pain quite frequently. I’m due a chat on the phone with my oncologist early November, and will ask his advice as I don’t know if I can stick it out for another three years. I might end up back on Letrozole, which isn’t ideal.
No i cant tolerate Letrozole that gave me severe pains especially across my upper back area. My oncologist agreed that i stop the medication for a few days. As there arent many option for medication , i an deciding against taking anything. They made me go through full hysterectomy because it opens more option for treatment and now it appears have gone back on their words. I have no hope.
You’ve had a rough ride Sooty1, and not being able to tolerate hormone therapies must be a huge blow given the amount of surgery you’ve been through. You must do what’s right for you in the end. If the symptoms are intolerable, and you’ve explored all the options. I wonder if anyone else on the forum is in the same position. I think quite a number of us are affected badly by the side effects of Letrozole etc.
I was prescribed Diacalm for the stomach issues by my practice nurse when I thought it was food poisoning, and they helped a fair bit, and for a few days I felt a lot better and was back to normal. Every now and again I have an attack of gut-ache and need to rush off to the loo, so I pop a pill and it does the trick. I think the Kefir yoghurt might be beneficial, at least it’s not doing any harm, and I just add it to muesli every morning, so job done.
I obviously don’t know what neck of the woods you’re from, and what BC support there is local to you. There’s little in my area in terms of a support group so I’ve relied on Breast Cancer Now nurses and forum for advice, especially when I’ve felt down about my diagnosis and the side effects of treatment. It must be hard when you feel there is no hope. Have you been offered information about support by your Macmillan nurse? Through mine I accessed free counselling offered by a charity, which was very helpful and got me through the difficult times. I wish you all the best and hope there is a solution or another option out there for you.
Thank you
Yes would be good to see if anyone else in similar position.
Thank you for your suggestion on yogurt, i am definitely trying to add more of it in my diet
I am from UK but since i left for a good opportunity in the middle east , i have no support, hence only have this forum to rely on as there is no support regarding cancer this side, it appears to not be a big thing. More like a normal disease.
I do sometimes feel i should pack up and go back to uk but apart from medical everything else is great here. Aa long as i can keep cancer free, and lung nodule to not grow further as thats another thing i am dealing with, they found that before my mastectomy but due to size and location just left it be, it March it appeared its growing, so another scan in November. i will try to pesevere and hope i can atleast get by another 2 to 3 years.
Thank you all lovely people. You keep me going.
Correction lumpectomy and not mastectomy