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Suggest Remedy For Exhausion And Back Pain When On Exemestane
Question: I have been on Exemestane for six months after being on Tamoxifen for 2 and half years. Just over three years ago I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and had chemo, radio and mastectomy. I felt fine on Tamoxifen and just wonder if my current extreme exhaustion and bad back pain is related to Exemestane. Really what I need to know what is current thinking re the efficacy of this drug when compared to Tamoxifen. At the moment my life is severly restricted and I just wonder if I could take a Exemestane holiday to see if thing improve.
Brief Answer:
5 years of hormonal therapy recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Exemestane causes general feeling of tiredness or weakness and back pain as its side effect.
You need to take the drug atleast for 2 more years to prevent recurrence of breast cancer.
Atleast 5 years of hormonal therapy is recommended after mastectomy chemotherapy and radiotherapy in breast cancer.
I would advise you to take plenty of rest.
For your back pain you can take paracetamol tablets twice daily.
Regards
DR DE
5 years of hormonal therapy recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Exemestane causes general feeling of tiredness or weakness and back pain as its side effect.
You need to take the drug atleast for 2 more years to prevent recurrence of breast cancer.
Atleast 5 years of hormonal therapy is recommended after mastectomy chemotherapy and radiotherapy in breast cancer.
I would advise you to take plenty of rest.
For your back pain you can take paracetamol tablets twice daily.
Regards
DR DE
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What I really want to know is is Tamoxifen a reasonable replacement to Exemestane? I rather think your answer is very simplistic.... sorry but I do. Of course I know all about the need for hormonal treatment and I am on much stronger pain killers than paracetamol.
Brief Answer:
exemestane shoud be continued
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Tamoxifen causes cancer of the uterus (womb), strokes, and blood clots in the lungs as its adverse effect.
Since you are post menopausal i would advise you to continue exemestane as it is an aromatase inhibitor which works better in post menopausal women to prevent recurrence in breast cancer rather than tamoxifen.
Regards
DR DE
exemestane shoud be continued
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Tamoxifen causes cancer of the uterus (womb), strokes, and blood clots in the lungs as its adverse effect.
Since you are post menopausal i would advise you to continue exemestane as it is an aromatase inhibitor which works better in post menopausal women to prevent recurrence in breast cancer rather than tamoxifen.
Regards
DR DE
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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