Anyone trying lower dosage for AI due to side effects?

[Debra]

Ann -

I just wanted to provide some input. I am 42 had been on arimidex for less then a year and really struggled with the joint pain. I was switched to aromasin and it made a HUGE difference. Other then my feet causing me some problems, although they always have, I am about 95% better. I also started exercising so I am not sure if it is 100% the aromasin or the exercise but I will say, I am a new person and life is so much better! I don't see aromasin mentioned a whole lot here on the sight but my oncologist felt there was absolutely no reason to suffer if there was other options that alleviated the pain and even indicated studies have shown it to be superior over some of the other AI's. Just my two cents!

[sadie]

I am glad to hear that it's not just me that is experiencing the joint pain (legs & feet).
I attribute it to weight gain and the arimidex (1mg daily).
I am continuing the arimidex because I am afraid to change from something that seems to be working for me.
I'm hoping that exercise will help the situation. I feel like my body is that of an 80 year old.

[Hopeful]

I reviewed the dosing and metabolism information from the websites of both Arimidex and Fermara prior to my fall onc visit, to see if I could go on a reduced dosage. According to the information I read, the standard dose is higher than the average patient requires to attain the degree of aromatase suppression the drug is designed to deliver. Arimidex does not provide for reduced dosing, even in patients with poor liver function, but Femara does. The reduced dosage is administered by taking a pill every other day, rather than every day. My onc said he has only done the lower dose regimen with very elderly patients whom he believed would have less aggressive disease. His opinion was that the half dosage did not work as well. This is another area I believe requires more immediate attention and study.

Hopeful