13 Tips to Help Manage Side Effects from Aromatase Inhibitors

13 tips to help manage side effects from aromatase inhibitors.

I frequently get emails from dear readers and others about the dreaded drugs we love to hate, aromatase inhibitors. The topic is a common thread when subscribers share why they signed up for my newsletters. These drugs are on the minds of a lot of breast cancer patients because these drugs suck!

You might want to read and download, Endocrine Therapy – Managing & Making Decisions About Your Aromatase Inhibitor Medication.

Women want validation, and they also want (and deserve) help managing the side effects of these drugs!

This is why I decided to write a post in which my goal is to share some ideas on how to manage the difficult side effects of these drugs that many women suffer from. If you have suggestions to add, please share them with a comment at the end of this post. Male breast cancer patients, you’re invited to share too!

Putting our heads together helps us all, right?

To learn more about aromatase inhibitors, read this post. Or visit a reputable sight such as cancer.net or breastcancer.org. Or of course, speak with your medical care team.

And yeah, about the latter…

Many women confide that their medical team isn’t all that concerned or helpful when it comes to these particular side effects. Women often share that their symptoms are dismissed as not that bad, pretty normal, or par for the course due to normal aging.

I’ve heard all that too. And it’s annoying as hell!

It’s important to remember that most doctors are not dismissive or certainly don’t intend to be, so generalizations are not a good idea here either. But clearly, many women do not feel heard. Their concerns and side effect issues are not being addressed or even validated.

And that’s a problem.

This list of things to try in order to manage troubling side effects is certainly not all inclusive. Nor are these suggestions meant to be some big solution. They are merely ideas to consider trying. Who knows, one or two might help!

13 Tips to help manage side effects from Aromatase Inhibitors:

 1. Keep a journal of your issues.

Record every day or at least every week how you’re feeling symptom-wise. Documentation is super important. Docs love it. Write down what issues you’re having and be specific. Are your joints aching? Which ones? Exactly what activities are hard for you? Are you feeling depressed? Is your hair thinning? Is intimacy an issue? Are side effects impacting your ability to work?

When you have a doctor appointment, take your journal with you so you have “proof”. Oh, and perhaps consider keeping a separate journal where you can write down all your frustrations – unfiltered! Releasing them somewhere sometimes helps even if you’re the only one reading.

Need some journaling tips? Here you go.

 2. Exercise, even a little helps.

Trust me, I know it’s sometimes hard when your joints hurt and the mere thought of exercising makes you cringe. Try doing it anyway. Start off super slow. It might sound counter-intuitive, but exercise can help you hurt less.

Another commonly reported side effect of these drugs is fatigue. Too tired to exercise? I hear you. But exercise can help you feel less tired too. Really, it can. Sometimes the hardest part is getting started, am I right? Again, start slow. The key is to start.

Need some motivation tips? Click here.

 3. If you need to shed a few pounds, work on doing that. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sick of condescending, finger-wagging articles telling us to maintain a healthy weight and how it helps prevent recurrence etc. I mean, who doesn’t know this is important? Sometimes it’s not that easy especially when taking these drugs. I speak from experience. And yet, it’s important to try.

Don’t think about losing 25 pounds or whatever you think your number is – that number might be unrealistic anyway. Think in little increments. Five. Two. One. Better yet, don’t think about pounds at all. Just try to eat healthier, drink a lot of water and squeeze in some movement most days.

 4. Along with the above, invest in some good tennis shoes or walking shoes.

When my ankles starting acting up on anastrozole, I got myself some spendy tennis shoes, and it made a difference. Now I wear them whenever I need to walk a distance. Does this sometimes make me feel like an old lady? Yep. Whatever…

And flip flops – no need to give them up. Invest in better brands such as Born and Clarks. I have both and I love them. Last summer I was able to wear the latter while strolling on the River Walk in San Antonio all day long, they were that supportive. Without them, no way.

 5. If you’re having issues in the bedroom, get help. 

Many women talk about libido issues, vaginal dryness problems and the like. Get help. There are products and things to try. Ask for a referral. Do NOT be embarrassed. Okay, try not to be. Regardless, don’t let that stop you. There is help. And yeah, sometimes you do have to “force” yourself to get started in the bedroom, but usually it’s worth it. Relationships take work. After a cancer diagnosis, this certainly doesn’t get easier. Figure out what works for you and your partner. Talk to each other. Talk to a professional. And then talk to your partner some more.

 6. Take Tylenol or ibuprofen when planning to sit for extended periods. 

Before I go to a movie, get on a plane or get in the car for more than a couple hours, I take Tylenol. It helps me be able to stand up later without wincing.

 7. Don’t think about five years or ten years on the darn pills.

It’s overwhelming to think like that sometimes, am I right? Try thinking in shorter increments such as three months, your next oncology appointment, the holidays or whatever.

 8. Take a break.

I’ve done this more than once. It helped. And now there’s research saying it might actually be a good idea for some women.

 9. Find others to commiserate with.

Vent here on this blog! Or find another online space where you can be frank. Face-to-face support groups can be helpful. Or not. Depends on your group, I guess. Having some place safe to vent helps. Plus, it takes some of the load off those closest to us.

10. Wear head covers.

If you’re like me, your hair might be disappearing. (Except for those annoying hairs on our faces, right ? WTF!) Get yourself some caps, hats, scarves or even a wig. I never wore caps before cancer. Now I wear them all the time. Besides hiding my hair, they provide good sun protection for my face. I need it. I’ve had a skin cancer diagnosis too. Ugh…

11. Check and monitor your Vitamin D level.

Following chemo, mine was super low. Getting adequate amounts of Vitamin D is important. Low levels can contribute to bone/joint pain. We monitor mine now and yes, I take a supplement.

12. Consider switching drugs.

For whatever reasons, I could not tolerate Arimidex – anastrozole. My body just said, no. I switched to Aromasin – exemestane and I’ve done better. I still hate it, but I’m doing better.

13. Do not suffer in silence. Just do not.

If you remember nothing else from this post, remember this one. Never suffer in silence. Just do not. You have a right to be heard. You deserve validation, and you also deserve help in managing side effects from a medication that your medical team is prescribing for you. And of course, you have the right to stop taking these meds if you so choose. The decision is yours and yours alone.

Update: Tip #14. Studies show acupuncture can help with joint pain.

So, if joint pain is one of your side effects, if you have access, and if you can afford it, this might be worth a try.  

Read more here.

I hope one or two of these tips help you manage side effects from aromatase inhibitor medications help. If I think of more, I’ll add to this list, so check back now and then.

Now, I can’t wait to hear what your suggestions are.

Share away!

You might want to read and download, Endocrine Therapy – Managing & Making Decisions About Your Aromatase Inhibitor Medication.

If you’re on an AI or some other medication, what are your most bothersome side effects, and are you getting validation and help in managing them?

What tip(s) would you add to this list?

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Note from Nancy: Order my new book EMERGING HERE. I wrote it to help others emerging from life-altering challenges — including loss of a loved one, the pandemic, and more. Because your hard matters too.