Exemestane and Pain: What Users Say

• gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2020

For Breast Cancer "I've been on exemestane for 3 months now. I switched after having side effects from Arimidex. The exemestane has been way worse. I'm crying as I read all the reviews that other users have experienced. I feel so alone. I'm a very active person. I've never felt so awful in my life. I can't explain it to anyone. My fingers and wrists are so sore and swollen. My hands fall asleep all night long. I wake up constantly. I think I'm so tired from not getting any sleep. I get out of bed in the morning and I can barely walk. I stand up from sitting down and everything hurts! Steps are the worst! I'm 43 and I feel 93!! I was an avid mountain biker and runner before this. It's so disheartening."

• LTa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2018

Exemestane for Breast Cancer "I was actually a participant in the clinical trial for Aromasin in 2006. At that time, I had Stage 2 Breast Cancer. I had a lumpectomy, radiation, and this drug. I took it for 4 years. I was miserable. The worst side effect was the pain in my joints, particularly my feet. I couldn't walk around the block. I was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer in September. I have had radiation and am back on the dreaded Exemestane. In addition to some of the other side effects, I have very bad pain in my hip (when I sit). I also have numbness on the same side, along my waist. Has anyone else experienced this? I don't want to quit, but this is pretty miserable."

• Del...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 29, 2016

For Breast Cancer "After 2 years, I finally realized why my elbow joints were in such pain. I was also waking up frequently throughout the night, but then would fall asleep at 6 am and not want to get out of bed. By 10 or 11 am, I would force myself to get up! And I couldn't even think about exercising or taking my walks. My oncologist took me off for a month to see how I feel, and after 3 weeks, the difference is remarkable. I'm sleeping a full 8 hours, my joints stopped aching, and I'm often getting out of bed early, which I haven't done in 2 years. Now I realize that on this drug, I wasn't just tired, I was depressed. Most days I felt like crying (in spite of having a fantastic happy life) and didn't want to get out of bed."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 23, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I'm 78 yrs old and was diagnosed two years ago with stage 2 breast cancer. This is a recurrence as I first had it 30 yrs ago. Had surgery then, radiotherapy, and Tamoxifen for 5 years, and all was well until 2017. I was then prescribed Letrozole but have been on exemestane for the past 8 months. Usual symptoms: hot flushes, aches and pains, tingling, excessive tiredness, foggy memory. But I'm losing weight - I am small built anyway - oncologist doesn't seem worried, but has this happened to anyone else? Everyone seems to gain weight rather than lose it! Could it be anything to do with thinning bones and muscle wastage?"

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I was put on Femara after my radiation and had terrible, debilitating side effects. My bones and joints were in constant pain, the headaches and hot flashes were frequent. My oncologist took me off and put me on Aromasin. What a difference! I occasionally get ringing in my ears and an upset stomach, but thank goodness nothing like the Femara."

• Spi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2023

Exemestane for Breast Cancer "I take 25 mg of Aromasin daily and have now been on it for two years. Initially, it caused nausea and some vomiting, but that passed after a few months. Long-term, I suffer severe muscle weakness in my legs and pain in my feet, which prevents me from walking any great distance or standing for too long. I also have increased facial and body hair, which is emotionally distressing, and excessive sweating, which is embarrassing. I get very breathless on the slightest exertion. I have no idea how to evaluate whether it has 'helped' or 'worked.' However, 18 months after commencing this therapy, a further nodule was discovered in my other breast. This was biopsied and found to be benign. I am seriously considering stopping this medication because of the effects it has on my daily life, which are quite debilitating."

• Dev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 10, 2023

For Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, right breast, grade II in April 2021 at the age of 47. Triple positive cancer (ER, PR, Her2). Had 8 cycles of chemo at Apollo Proton Cancer Care, followed by right breast wide local excision with sentinel lymph node biopsy + LICAP flap (lateral intercostal artery perforator), followed by 15 fractions of radiotherapy. (7 months treatment). I was on Tamoxifen for 8 months, and then my OC shifted me to exemestane. Yes, there are side effects: severe joint pain, arm pain, loss of memory, and every day a different pain. However, let us see that this medicine is making all of us fighters, we are fighters, fighting to live, fighting to exist, and let's continue with lots of strength. I go for a Zoledronic acid bone injection every 6 months, take Zolodex injection every month to suppress ovaries, take vitamin D injection for 3 months, take calcium tablets every day, and take biotin every day. We are beautiful warriors fighting every day with ourselves fiercely."

• Exe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 24, 2023

For Breast Cancer "I have now been on the drug for 6 1/2 years, and it has been a nightmare. I have had every single side effect possible, but the worst three side effects are the constant pain everywhere in my body, the osteoporosis, and the very frequent dizziness. That all being said, I am staying on the drug for the recommended 10 years for me because I have friends who have gone off of it and have gotten metastasized breast cancer. My fear of cancer overrides all the pain I deal with on a daily basis, but it is a horrible drug, make no mistake!"

• Ces...
• May 17, 2021

For Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed with Stage 0 breast cancer in my left breast and Stage 1 in my right. This is my 2 months taking it. It is way better than the first one I was on. That made me really bad leg pain, stiffness, and Charlie horses. When I started exemestane, it made my hand itch like I wanted to scratch the skin off my hands, but that went away. The only side effect I feel now is really, really tired, lifeless, but looking at other comments, I will start exercising. I’ve been doing a lot of natural vitamins like Seamoss every day, and I feel my energy coming back. I also get headaches, and my voice is very hoarse at times, and I feel like sometimes a Charlie horse is coming but doesn’t really. I’ve been drinking a lot of water and Pedialyte to stay hydrated, so far it’s not that bad, I can maneuver around the symptoms."

• Kee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 30, 2022

For Breast Cancer "I have been taking exemestane for nearly a year now. At first, I tried to fight every side effect I was having. Then I wrote a diary, and for me, the side effects ran to a pattern. Little or no sleep for a few days. Then so exhausted, slept for hours and felt as if I had lost a day. Feeling depressed, I even went to my GP for antidepressants and help with sleep, thankfully, he advised against this. Now I call feeling depressed my can't-be-bothered days, so I'm just lazy. Then I feel better. The aches and pains, a gentle exercise, sitting in a chair, and exercises help. I bought a recliner that has really helped with the aches in my legs and back. I found a herbal remedy to take when sleep is really bad, and this helps a little. These tablets used to really have me upset, but now I recognize the signs, go along with them, and try to be calm because I have to take them for 5 years and I won't let them get me down. The weight gain I can't do anything about. I just buy a larger blouse or trousers. I'm 69."

• tri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 20, 2023

For Breast Cancer "I had a lumpectomy in August and radiation in December. Tests show no cancer and no spread. I have had extreme trouble walking and sleeping due to pain throughout my body. They are telling me it is neuropathy. I hope to stop exemestane in the near future as I believe cancer drugs are the problem, but necessary."

• 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."