Aromatase inhibitor for endometriosis
Ladies, have any of you tried anastrozole or letrozole to treat endometriosis? My symptoms returned 4 years after surgery. My gyn put me on Arimidex + OCP (oral contraceptive). I am premenopausal. The combination is supposed to suppress ovary, but I am still feeling stimulated. Esp since I have been through IVF and know exactly what a hyperstimulated ovary feels like. I barely started the cycle for this treatment, but I am already dealing with so many side effects. If you have been through the sane treatment before, can you share your experience? How long were you on AI? Did symptoms return after you stop the treatment? If so, how soon?
I am so sorry you are dealing with side effects and not finding any relief! I don't personally have experience with this. I truly hope someone in the community can shed some light and share their thoughts with you. Have you talked to your doctor about these side effects? Did they offer any suggestions/support? I know not always easy to do, but also, maybe a second opinion from another GYN can be helpful as well. Truly hope you find some answers dear warrior <3 sending hugs and good thoughts your way. -Kimberli (team member) Thank you for the reply! I did reach out to my gyn. He said to give it time, and he is right. My BBT fluctuate less and steadily increases now. My pelvic pain is 90% resolved 2 weeks into the combined treatment. I also had focal breast pain and a new palpable breast mass, both of which improved with aromatase inhibitor. I am currently off NSAIDs. The joint pains from AI are managed by weekly 50000IU vitamin d and daily calcium supplements. This is the best I've been feeling in a while. Guess with hormonal therapy, you need to give your body time to adjust to it, and be very patient in the beginning.
But I am still unclear about the future. Long term use of AI does cause osteoporosis and I am at a higher risk for blood clots. Maybe we will end up doing every other day or 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. We'll see. I am just glad that it worked and hope others get the benefits of aromatase inhibitor as well.
BTW, I also asked my gyn why he favors aromatase inhibitor over Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists like Orilissa. He said that AIs don't tank your hormones like GnRH antagonists, so associated with fewer side effects. Jusr FYI in case anyone is debating between the two.absolutely yes. Sometimes, trying something new, no matter what it may be, but especially with hormones; it takes your body a while to adjust for sure. I am soooo happy to read it has been working and you are feeling better!
I can understand the concern of side effects too. Hopefully like you said, you can come up with a good plan of how much you need to be taking to keep yourself at bay from those side effects.
That is interesting too about why your doctor favors it, makes sense though! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, your experience and for just being here dear warrior. Hoping you continue to see these good days and relief! Do keep us posted along the way on how you are doing. Hugs!! <3 -Kimberli (team member)
