Hi Mary,

I wanted to send a reply to your post to give it a little boost, so a few more people should see it and hopefully you'll get some more replies.

It's good to read that you are doing well, although I'm sorry to hear of the difficulties you're experiencing also.

Much of what you have listed does seem to be potential side effects of Exemestane.

Ringing the nurse for a chat sounds like a good idea and a good first step to talk things through - hopefully this will be helpful, and you can always have a further discussion with your doctor.

I hope that things ease a little for you soon.

Wishing you all the best,

Ben
Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Mary,

I am glad to hear that your surgery is now behind you and hope that you are recuperating well. I am sorry to hear about how the Exemestrane is affecting you. If you put this in the search box, I'm sure that you will find that you are not alone with these symptoms. Here's hoping that someone can offer you some useful suggestions.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Lovely to hear from you. I spoke to the Macmillan nurse as was feeling so bad with side effects. We agreed I could take a 4 week break then see my Consultant to discuss things. Stopped medication about 2 weeks ago but still feel very stiff in the joints. I am in Venice at the moment having a relaxing holiday.

Will let you know what the Consultant says on the 19th.

Best wishes

Mary xx

Hi Mary,

It's good to hear that you spoke to the Macmillan nurse and decided to stop taking the Exemestrane, until you see your Consultant on 19th. I hope that you are enjoying your trip to Venice and that the heat is helping some of your aches and pains.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi there Jolamine

just got back from Venice late Friday evening having had a wonderful time. It’s been 19 days since stopping the exemestane and still got joint pains but maybe not as bad. Done lots of walking while away so will see how it goes when I am back in my normal routine. Seeing the Consultant this Thursday and will see what he says.

My husband Peter had a letter waiting when we got home with date to start his radiotherapy (23 sessions) for recurrent prostate cancer so that will be a very long hard slog for us both as the hospital is over an hours drive away.

Hope you are doing well and I will be in touch soon.

Love Mary xx

Hi Mary,

I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed Venice so much. I am glad to hear that stopping the exemestane has reduced your pain, even if it hasn't stopped it. I hope that, when you see your consultant tomorrow, he may have some useful suggestions.

It certainly sounds as if you are going to have a busy time, with travelling back and forth to the hospital for your husband's radiotherapy sessions. A 2 hour journey for 23 sessions sounds like quite a test, for someone who's in the whole of their health, which I doubt that either of you are.  Are you aware that there are volunteer drivers, who can ferry your hubby to his appointments, without putting all that strain on yourself?

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi there Jolamine saw my consultant today and he has changed me over to Tamoxifen. Willing to give it a good try and see how it goes.

The hospital transport is in very short supply in our area and would rather let people who can’t drive or don’t have access to a vehicle use it. We will be okay I’m sure and my husband is hoping to drive most of the time, will have to see how he feels.

Lovely to talk to you and hope you are well.

Love Mary 

Hi Mary,

I am glad to hear that your consultant has changed you over to Tamoxifen and I hope that you'll find this easier to cope with. I certainly found it easier than Letrozole on my joints. I am sorry to hear that there is such a shortage of volunteer drivers to bring your husband back and forth to hospital. When is he due to start?

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine he has his planning CT on Monday and treatment starts on 9 October. Glad you found the Tamoxifen easier to cope with

Best wishes

Mary