Hi Zebedea,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with Anastrozole. Most od the oestrogen inhibitors carry some sort of side-effect or other. Whether or not Exemestone would be any better for you would be a matter for your oncologist, who knows your other issues and has all of your medical records to hand. Please discuss this with your Oncologist or breast care nurse and see what they advise, as we all react differently to these drugs.

Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you for your reply Jolamine. I was particularly low yesterday, having got through stage 1 cancer during lockdown and dealing with a very ill husband. Yesterday following medical advice I contacted my local Oncology unit where I was triaged over the phone and told to go to them for blood tests.  Before my results were even back, I felt I was being given a telling off from the doctor for even trying to contact my Oncologist and my concerns weren't taken seriously at all. So I came home feeling very negative and have left the tablets off. 

Thank you Jolamine, I do have a telephone conversation booked with my Oncologist for next week. I am trying to put things into perspective to have a full conversation. Face to face would be so much better but not going to happen. I have found my breast care nurses to be very helpful, it's just I was told by Oncology that I needed blood tests (none have been done since February) so I really did not expect to go home feeling like a nuisance. I had even offered to email them a photo of the discolouration on my face for them to assess. I will be asking what my survival chances without these meds as I am in my early sixties and have battled two other significant illnesses through my life and realise that my emphasis must be on quality of life. Thank you for your support and kindness.

Hi Zebedea,

I am glad to hear that you have a telephone consultation with your Oncologist next week. You will find it a good idea to write down any questions or important comments, to ensure that you don't forget to mention someting important.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you Jolamine, I will take your advice.

Best wishes

Zebedea xx