Exemestane User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Mam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 3, 2019

For Breast Cancer "Been on this exemestane for 2 years. Had really bad foot pain in the beginning. Had a hysterectomy. Have hot flashes. Not sure if it's from the medication. Also had numbness in hands and pain. It causes me to be very tired as well. I did start working out, and it has helped a ton. No more foot pain or hand pain. I am not good at taking it every day. I also take breaks when I get to the point where I can't function anymore because I'm so tired. I have gained 20 pounds on this medication. I'm able to maintain now with keto and CrossFit. But still can't seem to get back to the body I had 3 years ago."

• Fre...
• October 4, 2013

For Breast Cancer "I have been on exemestane for 7 months and stopped because of the severe joint pain, especially when first getting up from a sitting position or getting out of bed. Been off for about a month and I'm still experiencing symptoms."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2017

For Breast Cancer "My oncologist switched me from letrozole to exemestane because I was having some bone loss. I was a little more tired and achy on the letrozole, so I assumed the same would happen with exemestane, but oh my gosh, what a difference. I gained 6 lbs in a month, experienced horrible headaches, pins and needles in my hands, back pain, fatigue, waking up in the middle of the night, hot flashes, ringing in my ears, and blurry vision. I'm switching back to letrozole, at least the side effects are tolerable. I guess everyone is different, if it works for others, awesome, but not for me. These reviews are so needed in our for-profit health care system. Doctors won't tell you or don't know about all the side effects, and who even knows about the long-term ones?"

• Sha...
• June 7, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I started taking exemestane after trying Tamoxifen and Femara. Unfortunately, these medicines have been hard on me. I do not have quality of life. I am constantly tired, and the joint pain is unbearable. My hands are swollen, I have trigger finger, and cysts in my wrist. I have also gained a lot of weight and developed bad acne."

• Gol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2015

Exemestane for Breast Cancer "I have been on Aromasin for about 70 days. Just had a short holiday. Came back hardly able to walk, joints were aching from first taking it. But thought this might be because I'm not getting any younger. But now I wonder. Also, my sleep patterns have altered. I wake quite early and am a lot more tired. Also, at times I seem quite breathless, although I'm asthmatic. It has always been well-controlled. Will see my doctor to see what he suggests. This was my last resort for drugs, as most of the others I have tried had side effects."

• Dox...
• December 29, 2014

For Breast Cancer "This is my 3rd medicine for reducing estrogen. I have been on it for 6 months, after going through surgery and radiation for Stage 1 breast cancer. It is much easier than the other medications. BUT I'm still not sure if I will continue. Since I have started on this medicine I have had the following: blood clot in lung, headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, pain in my right side, insomnia, jaw pain, ringing in ears & some imbalances, these are new just since starting this medicine. (Pain in joints is something that is better on this medicine than others.) As I have already tried the other medications available to me this is my only option except taking nothing."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 26, 2020

For Breast Cancer "I have been on exemestane for almost 3 years, I will be finished in Nov. 2020. The first two years, I was on tamoxifen. Since being on exemestane, I have had 2 carpal tunnel surgeries just so I could do my job. My fingers, joints, and wrist ache like no other, and I haven't worn my rings for months. 2 more months, hallelujah!!"

• Mic...
• April 16, 2015

For Breast Cancer "I have been on Aromasin (Exemestane) 25 mg for three years. I tried the other two inhibitors but had severe bone pain, so this one is the best of the bunch. I do have some joint pain, low stamina, no libido, waking throughout the night, swollen fingers, toes, and abdomen, severe hot flashes that feel like I'm being burned at the stake, and the worst one is the weight gain. I've gained 50 pounds in the last two years and still have two years to go. My doctor put me on Clonidine every 6 hours because my skin was allergic to the 24-hour patch. It helps ease the hot flashes for about 4 hours. He doesn't have any advice for my inability to lose weight and the fact that I keep gaining even though I exercise and eat the same as before. Ugghhh!"

• MIS...
• July 2, 2018

For Breast Cancer "I've been taking it for almost 2 1/2 years. I'm 40 years old. So far, no recurrence. I was able to improve muscle and joint stiffness with moderate exercise. I'm also able to maintain/lose weight while taking this medication. I also have hot flashes occasionally."

• Deb...
• October 10, 2011

For Breast Cancer "On this medication for the past 4 months. Still unable to sleep at night, hot flashes, but a lot nicer than the other medication I was on. The only side effect that I can deal with is the muscle pain that it causes in my legs. I also notice my skin being oily and breakouts on my face."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2015

For Breast Cancer "Very active and fit - 37 yrs old and have been on Aromasin for almost 3 mo. I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years previously. It was a cakewalk compared to Aromasin. I haven't slept through the night a single night since starting A. My hands are swollen and weak, and they ache all the time. I have joint pain all over and am terribly stiff when I sit in the same position for long. I'm tired and have a hard time working out (I used to live for this). My vision is blurry sometimes. This blows, but I'm hoping the SEs will improve soon."

• KTa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 29, 2018

For Breast Cancer "After trying Arimidex and Femara, which both made me horribly miserable in many ways, I tried Aromasin, but first I let my body 'detox' from the other drugs for a month or so. Both my oncologist and my pharmacist were good with that. Exemestane (Aromasin) has had the least number of side effects for me. I was already taking fish oil and glucosamine chondroitin for arthritis, so not sure if that may help as some have noted or not. Two years after chemo and I still have terrible neuropathy in my feet, and they hurt most all of the time. Was taking gabapentin for the neuropathy, but had to take so much so often, and it just kept wearing off, so I stopped taking that. The worst side effect that I have now (other than hot flashes and sore feet) is my thin, brittle fingernails. They were always thick and strong before cancer. I started taking biotin for that, but only recently, so no great results yet. I also take vitamin B12, which helps with energy."

• Bcs...
• January 26, 2017

For Breast Cancer "This drug was the worst by far. Diagnosed almost 9 years ago in 2008. On tamoxifen for two years-had a hysterectomy-on Arimidex for five years. I thought after seven years I would not have to take anything. Dr. said new research and I should take a drug for 10 years. Didn't want to go back on Arimidex because of the horrible side effects. On tamoxifen again for one year and developed a vitreous detachment in my eye-after research on my part could've been linked to the tamoxifen. I went off that and started taking exemestane. On for three weeks and had terrible backache, nausea, acid reflux, cracking bones, and horrible depression. I won't take it again for only a 2% increase in survival."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 22, 2017

Exemestane for Breast Cancer "Breast cancer. I began and continued Aromasin for 4 years plus-shrunk tumor to be non-detectable on mammogram or high-resolution scan! Aromasin brand no longer covered by my insurance-mandating use of generic instead. Can only pray that the generic will work as well as brand and with the zero side effects (except for hair thinning) that brand Aromasin provided! A true MIRACLE drug!"

• DCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I was on letrozole previously and could not stand the side effects. Joint pain, neuropathy, brain fog, and more. I am now on exemestane for 2 months. No brain fog, but I experience tiredness. I now take it at night, and that helps me function during the day. I am having some vision issues, and I keep getting cysts on my face. It's not pimples, but cysts. As soon as I get rid of one, another pops up. Is anyone else experiencing this?"

• far...
• January 26, 2012

For Breast Cancer "I was on Arimidex for two months, and I thought I was having a heart attack. Turns out it was the medication. I have been on exemestane for three months, and my chest feels really tight most of the time. I have no energy and headaches. I am trying to decide whether to go off it and go on Tamoxifen. I have talked to several people on Tamoxifen, with no side effects to speak of except hot flashes. I also have pain in my fingers and feet. I also feel like I am having some hearing loss, which I never had before."

• Mz ...
• November 21, 2016

For Breast Cancer "Have been on this medication about 4 months. I was wondering why I couldn't sleep and have gained an excessive amount of weight. I read the reviews, which helped me considerably. I wake up with headaches in the morning. I take Excedrin, it helps. My skin breaks out weekly. My right arm is numb and feels like no circulation. I believe I am going to take myself off this medication. I can't afford to keep buying clothes. Oh, by the way, my sugar has gone up. I've never had this problem before. I believe this medication is the common denominator for most, if not all, my issues."

• Bir...
• April 26, 2017

For Breast Cancer "I thought I was going crazy. Taking aromasin for 11 months. I fall asleep in the middle of the day, even nod off when I'm with friends. Terrible sleeplessness, hand joint pain in the middle of night, thinning hair (after losing hair after chemo). The fatigue makes me lack motivation, no interest in anything, poor eating habits, can't exercise, don't want to do anything. This is worse than Arimidex!"

• mar...
• December 6, 2016

For Breast Cancer "This is the second inhibitor that I have tried. Started off great, but now after 3 months, am wondering if it is all worth it. The tiredness, insomnia, and swollen hands and feet are bad enough. The worst part is the confusion. I go to appointments at the wrong times, can't remember some of the grandchildren's names! Along with the hot flushes and nausea, not fun. Then the doctor tells me that I need it for 10 years and just work through the side effects!"

• She...
• July 5, 2015

For Breast Cancer "Kidney problems? Carpal tunnel numbness? Insomnia? (Hot flashes are a given, I take gabapentin and venlafaxine, which helps.) I just started exemestane after taking tamoxifen for three years. I started the new drug about a month and a half ago. I had similar side effects when I started tamoxifen but never had kidney pain. I am in a lot of pain, which is covering about a 6-inch radius on my side. I am not 100% sure if it is pulled muscles since it came on overnight, but I don't recall any injury. Has anyone had this issue?"

• Ren...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 8, 2025

For Breast Cancer "Third aromatase inhibitor. I could not function on Anastrozole or letrozole. Hip pain, bone pain, foot pain, wrists, swollen hands, hand weakness, hot-cold flashes, exhaustion. Exemestane is the most tolerable of all, but only a generic from Breckenridge manufacturer. I know after a day or two when my pharmacist filled with any other generic, as side effects increase. Makes a big difference for me. Gabapentin, antidepressants, or a myriad of other proposed drugs… is no thanks. I don't take meds for side effects of meds. I had to stop working after 3 years on aromatase inhibitors. My job of 14-hour shifts on my feet was impossible. Could not get up after sitting to drive home. Let alone hand weakness made me a danger to others in a hospital environment. I have 1.5 years more to complete 10 years."

• apr...
• March 21, 2016

For Breast Cancer "This medication was not good for me. I had a lot of severe joint pain, and I was sad all of the time. I cried at the drop of a hat, and this is not my normal personality at all. I always felt as though I just wanted to curl up in a ball and stay under the covers. I lasted 2.5 years. All of my joints hurt. So, now I am trying letrozole. So far, it seems more of the same... sigh."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I took for 60 days and had horrible joint and bone pain. At times, I could not make a fist, snap my fingers, or get out of bed. I was tired all the time. My face broke out with acne and seborrheic dermatitis. I stopped for a week and already feel so much better (more energy, much less joint pain). I am meeting with the oncologist in a couple of weeks to discuss a new drug... hopefully without the awful side effects."

• Fig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2017

For Breast Cancer "I have been taking 25 mg of Exemestane for 22 days now. After the first week, I started having a cough with clear phlegm every day. I recently had bad headaches that lasted 3 days. I had to lay in bed with the lights off. I also have been having diarrhea and nausea with some vomiting the past week. Two nights ago, I had very uncomfortable heartburn, I had to sleep sitting up. I have also had increased bone/joint pain and fatigue. I hope the medicine is working because I really don't like feeling ill on a daily basis. I will discuss these side effects with my doctor next week."

• Nbo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 22, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma in early 2017. After one dose of chemo, I developed sepsis and almost died - 2 weeks in ICU in a coma, followed by 2 months in the hospital. I had to learn how to walk again, etc. Thanks to excellent medical care, I am back at work, and about 85% 'back to normal.' I am 61 years old and started this adventure as a pretty fit, outdoorsy woman, confident I could manage chemo. However, post-sepsis, they won't give me chemo again. I did 6 weeks of radiation, took letrozole for a year to suppress estrogen, and switched to exemestane in July 2018. My most concerning side effect is lack of vaginal lubrication and interest in sex, which sounds trivial but is wreaking emotional havoc in my 27-year marriage. Medical professionals seem to have no knowledge of the safety of using topical estrogen, and it's a risk my husband doesn't want me to take. Had anyone had this problem? I feel dropped by the medical system."