Exemestane and Joint Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Gin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 12, 2021

For Breast Cancer "After breast cancer treatment and surgery, I was put on Anastrozole. The side effects came on within a week: swollen, painful joints, flushes, tired, but can't sleep, and grrrhh - weight gain. I've since changed to exemestane, and guess what? Not a lot of difference in the side effects! The joints are less swollen and less painful, but still hurt. Burning hot flushes, worse at night. If the aching bones don't wake me, the flushes do (window open, duvet off, no clothes, still I sweat). Never used to sweat during exercise, and I'm talking CrossFit, but I do now. The exercise helps, as do a couple of paracetamol to help me sleep until 2 am. I now have the softest pillow, but even my ear cartilage pains will wake me. Stopped my antidepressant as I'd rather know about the feeling blue than masking it with yet more drugs, that and I want some sex drive, which is already flagging! I'm glad I'm cancer-free, but this exhaustion, being fat, flushes, and pains!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2021

For Breast Cancer "I wish I had read this before trying exemestane. I was diagnosed with 1B cancer, some cells in one lymph node. Had radiation because of that and got pneumonia-like pneumonitis. Given steroids, which I loved. Doing yoga, walking, and Pilates. Then put on Arimidex. Awful joint pain, among other things. Femara. Same. My gynecologist suggested exemestane, which worked for her. For me, who usually experiences no drug side effects, it was a horror show. Gradually waning ability to exercise, as arthritis-like symptoms worsened. Depression. Trouble sleeping. Then, dizziness. It was no life, so this week I decided to risk cancer return in order to feel somewhat normal. My doctors were great-each said it was better odds to take it, but that cancer cells could already be floating around and you never know who is going to have a recurrence. Now my question is: How long does it take to feel better? Does joint pain and dizziness go away or just get better?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 15, 2021

For Breast Cancer "Been on Aromasin for 7 months and supposed to take it for 10 years. Not even 1 full year in yet, and I'm falling apart. I'm 38 and was a healthy, active young woman prior to cancer and meds. Now I'm borderline depressed, extremely fatigued and tired, achy joints, mean, moody, and insensitive, lethargic, no energy nor interest, not sleeping despite taking Gabapentin, thinning hair, genital/urinary problems, and unrelenting, unforgiving hot flashes. I'm struggling to work my normal full-time job and will have to go down to part-time. Married with 4 kids and will continue to take in hopes of reducing a recurrence."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 20, 2023

For Breast Cancer "I’ve been taking it for 9 months and have extreme joint pain. The first few months weren’t too bad, except for the hot flashes. However, now the joint pain is so bad. I contacted my doctor, and she told me to stop taking it for a few weeks to see if the joint pain gets better."

• RSM...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 28, 2023

For Breast Cancer "1st few months, only minor, occasional joint pain along with mild intermittent hot flashes. After that, had increasing joint pain issues and significant pain in wrist. Still can't bend my left thumb joint. Oncologist switched me to Tamoxifen about a month ago. No change in pain levels, though. Took 25 mg daily."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 25, 2023

For Breast Cancer "Lots of weight gain, like 30 pounds from before taking it. My weight had been stable for 15 years before taking exemestane, and it keeps going up, with no dietary change. Usual joint pain, especially in my knees after sitting and then getting up. Bad coughing spells occasionally, like once a month, but then it won't stop for an hour or two. Often when I'm in bed, the larynx irritation starts and I have to get up to cough for 1 or 2 hours."

• dai...
• October 29, 2009

Exemestane for Breast Cancer "I have been on Aromasin for 2 years now. Prior I took Tamoxifen. Sure, there are side effects (pain in my leg, painful joints, and hot flashes) but I had stage 3 CA and am still alive 4.5 years."

• Mak...
• January 12, 2011

Exemestane for Breast Cancer "I have been taking Aromasin for 3 months now and still wake up every night in pain on my hand, tingling and burning along with joint pain."

• Deb...
• March 14, 2015

For Breast Cancer "Severe hot flashes, unable to sleep, joints hurt, and tired all the time. Have had breast cancer twice, so I hope this works."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2018

For Breast Cancer "The one thing I have noticed for me is my joints ache like when you have the flu."

• Zep...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 19, 2023

Exemestane for Breast Cancer "Extreme joint pain, including trigger fingers, wrist pain. Thinning hair. Hypertension-my BP has always been optimal. Tired of generally feeling awful 24/7. Not sure I can do 4 more years."

• Zep...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 19, 2023

Exemestane for Breast Cancer "Extreme joint pain, including trigger fingers, wrist pain. Thinning hair. Hypertension-my BP has always been optimal. Tired of generally feeling awful 24/7. Not sure I can do 4 more years."