Does anyone have info on Aromatase Inhibitors?

[gah_70]

I have been on Aromasin for about 12 weeks.  I took Femara for a short time back last fall, and again this spring.  Are any of you on Aromasin, Femara, Tamoxifen, or Arimidex experiencing joint/bone pain?  If so, do you find it getting worse the longer you are on it?  I finally got off IV chemo in favor of taking AI's because IV chemo was doing too much damage and I needed a break.  My cancer is highly estrogen positive so AI's seem to be the choice for me at the moment (I actually have Ovarian cancer, not Breast Cancer.  But my doc wants to treat as if I do have Breast Cacer because of the relation to estrogen).  But, I have noticed more and more pain the longer I take it.  My ankles, legs, knees, arms and wrists get so stiff and sore, and I feel like I'm 90 when I try to get up.  I have oral pain meds...Lortab...but I work full time, and it's hard to pop a pill and head out the door to drive an hour's commute.  Any suggestions on how to manage the pain?

Thanks,
Gail  

[Rusty23]

Hi Gail
     I am on Arimidex for almost 5yrs now . My bones have been effected by arthritis and then I found out I had Fibromyalgia !  My pain did increase when I started with the Arimidex and my doc put me on Tramadol, works most of the time for me .
Really cold weather and damp do make it worse and I am now into thermal underwear lol !
I too feel like 90 when I wake too !  Not a good start to the day . I also do the shuffle to go to the loo in the mornings as my joints are all stiff .
   I found some gentle excersise helps me , Tai Chi is slow movements and is just perfect for me.
Good luck and I hope you find something to help you grease your joints too !
Heat packs are good too, the ones you can put in the microwave . They help to relieve some of the stiffness .
Rusty x

[dblwhammy]

Yup, joint pain is a very common complaint with aromatase inhibitors. I'm taking Arimidex and commiserate with Rusty, in fact that's how if feel in the morning ... rusty! I was on Arimidex for 6 weeks when I found out I needed chemo. The joint pain was very minimal and I already had some osteoarthritis. However after the chemo (4 cycles TC) I resumed the Arimidex and the joint pain has been much more marked. Joints affected for me are fingers, wrist, knees and feet and a general achy back when I'm too active. In general Ibuprofen relieves the worst of it but at age 60 I am feeling much older.