HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Aromatase inhibitors

Becky · 08-15-2007, 06:44 PM

I believe the joint pain comes directly from estrogen depletion. Doctors and scientists don't know if it is because estrogen causes an anti-inflammatory effect within the joints or if estrogen down-regulates cytokines which "turn off" the pain receptors. They do think some may be that natural pain reduction mechanisms aren't happening without the estrogen hence the pain (because pregnant women have high estrogen levels and can tolerate alot of pain (and not just the pain of childbirth)).

Some aromatase inhibitors may effect the joint mechanisms more than others and aromosin has a totally different biochemical mechanism of inhibiting aromatase than Arimidex and Femara do.

08-15-2007, 06:44 PM	#4
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	I believe the joint pain comes directly from estrogen depletion. Doctors and scientists don't know if it is because estrogen causes an anti-inflammatory effect within the joints or if estrogen down-regulates cytokines which "turn off" the pain receptors. They do think some may be that natural pain reduction mechanisms aren't happening without the estrogen hence the pain (because pregnant women have high estrogen levels and can tolerate alot of pain (and not just the pain of childbirth)). Some aromatase inhibitors may effect the joint mechanisms more than others and aromosin has a totally different biochemical mechanism of inhibiting aromatase than Arimidex and Femara do. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"