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I haven’t brought this up with my oncology team yet (appt in a couple of weeks), but they tend to blow off side effects not acknowledged by the drug manufacturers.

September 29, 2025
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A MyBCTeam Member

Hello,
I have to share that yes the Aromatase Inhibitors- do have a constipation/diarrhea relationship. Yes, I experience both and I take Letrozole and it has been 4+ years.

What I eat does have an impact on this. Increase fiber helps with the decrease of diarrhea. Think eating Life Cereal or other bran type of cereal without the milk.

Also noted the following:
I see some are mentioning muscle and bone pain. I have been taking Qunol CoQ10 for that and it has really helped.

Also, I take Estroven Complete for Hot Flashes and Mood Swings which has been great.
I take Revaree by Bonafide which is a Vaginal Suppository for vaginal dryness. As well as use Coconut oil externally and internally. And I use Estrogen Vaginal Suppositories 4mg that are approved by my Medical Oncologist, OB-GYN, and Sexual Medicine MD. I was having urinary incontinence, vaginal pain, bleeding, dryness, atrophy from the Aromatase Inhibitor drug. They NEVER told me all that was going to happen from taking that drug! BUT, all of this is fixing all of those side effects!
So much happens when you get Breast Cancer and the treatments you take to get rid of it.
Sending positive vibes out to everyone

September 29, 2025 (edited)
A MyBCTeam Member

Yes ma'am very normal!
It does help if you try to take the meds at the same time every day. Very important. Wishing you well. Stay in touch. Endless hugs!

September 29, 2025
A MyBCTeam Member

@A MyBCTeam Member
I think that is the situation that we are all in with the 5 year regime of Aromatase Inhibitors.

Plus, if you already have arthritis, the aromatase inhibitors add to the arthritis pain.

September 29, 2025 (edited)
A MyBCTeam Member

Yes, Pretty sure they took me from “it hurts but I can live with it” to “we gotta fix this!” That said, I asked for an occupational therapy referral because I had almost no grip strength. Onco was delighted to do the referral, and it has really helped. I have some hand function back.

September 29, 2025
A MyBCTeam Member

“Old age” is a convenient scapegoat for ignoring side effects from a drug they really want us to keep taking. My joint pain is terrible. I had arthritis before, but things suddenly got a LOT worse when I started exemestane and then Letrozole. I had two joint surgeries in six months, and the knee surgeon is trying to make my remaining real knee last another year so the foot can heal. Onco folks just say, “ you can quit taking it. But the cancer will probably come back and then you’ll die.” They’re a little more tactful than that, but the message is clear, and five years is a long time to feel crappy!

September 29, 2025

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