Joint Aches and Pains

When initial treatments are complete, many women diagnosed with estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer take tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor (AI)., These hormone therapies reduce the risk of cancer recurring and improve long-term survival. Tamoxifen works to block the effects of estrogen after it is produced, while AIs stop the production of estrogen. Both tamoxifen and AIs are available for postmenopausal women, but tamoxifen alone is available for premenopausal women.

Research has shown that AIs are more beneficial than tamoxifen for postmenopausal women, causing more doctors to prescribe AIs for postmenopausal patients with estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. Although the benefits of AIs are clear and doctors report that the drugs are generally well tolerated, the medications can exact a toll of their own. Patients report a variety of side effects, including hot flashes, stomach pain, dizziness, loss of appetite and fatigue. More serious side effects are difficult breathing, coughing, depression, tightness in the chest, fever and swelling in the legs and feet.

The YourShoes 24/7 Support Center receives calls from women who take AIs and sometimes experience arthritis-like symptoms of pain and stiffness in their joints. Women who experience more severe side effects might have trouble getting out of bed in the morning or be uncomfortable shifting positions. Exercising and doing can simple errands become increasingly difficult for these women. Patients should report these and other symptoms to their doctors because taking other drugs may ease their problems, according to Dr. William Gradishar, director of Northwestern University's Lynn Sage breast oncology program. Gradishar praises AIs, stressing the benefits in keeping cancer from recurring: “These are drugs that have made a big difference in the treatment of breast cancer.”

Think your experience is uncommon? Want to speak with someone who has gone through a similar one? Call the YourShoes 24/7 Support Center at 800-221-2141 and speak with a trained peer counselor who is a breast cancer survivor.

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