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Auto-generated transcript of @herbosombuddy's video. Quoted here for educational fact-check commentary; original creator retains all rights to the video content.
- 0:00It is not an option for everybody to stop taking the aromatase inhibitors.
- 0:05So for those of you that need to stay on it, I've compiled a list of everything I could come up with
- 0:10that could possibly help with pain that's not taking pain minutes.
- 0:14So get comfortable. This is going to be long, but I'm going to get into everything and I'm going to speed through it.
- 0:20So first thing is exercise top of the list.
- 0:23It helps some people, doesn't help others, but it's good for you regardless, so I would definitely be doing it.
- 0:29Second thing, acupuncture. A lot of people have reported that acupuncture is really helpful and in some cases covered by insurance.
- 0:37Next thing, diet. Get rid of the sugar or minimize the sugar and the processed foods.
- 0:43That helps overall health. That's going to help the pain a little bit too in most cases.
- 0:49Staying hydrated. Something a lot of us don't think about and a lot of us are dehydrated all the time.
- 0:55So walking around with your 40 ounce cup of water is actually a really good thing and even sometimes adding some clean electrolytes.
- 1:05And if you want ideas on clean electrolyte brands, let me know. I'm happy to share.
- 1:10Next thing, tart cherry juice. Inexpensive and I've heard really good things about it.
- 1:17And also taking clarinet. Clarinetin like you would take for allergies somehow. That's been known to help also.
- 1:25As far as supplementation goes, vitamin D3 with K2, a lot of us with breast cancer are vitamin D deficient.
- 1:32So by bringing your vitamin D levels up, that can actually help.
- 1:36Vitamin B12, just make sure if you're taking B12 in a complex or a multivitamin that it is not cyanocabolamine,
- 1:44but make sure it's methylcabolamine or a denticil cabolamine, just not cyanocabolamine. Black cohosh, which again I've mentioned before,
- 1:53but that came from my oncologist directly. Bonafide, again, a brand to look up.
- 1:59They have all natural remedies for several things that happen during menopause.
- 2:05So sauna. Sauna can definitely help with pain.
- 2:10Now, I just bought a sauna blanket and I'm going to try it and I'll let you guys know if it works or not because it's a lot less expensive to buy a sauna blanket than it is to get a membership to a place that has sauna to use.
- 2:25Meditation and breathing. So I would start with box breathing because it's super simple. So just Google box breathing and it'll tell you how to do it.
- 2:34It's easy to remember and easy to do anywhere, anytime. And meditation. I'm not one to preach on meditation because it's not something I have been able to consistently do, but I plan on consistently doing it going forward.
- 2:49So again, something that I'll share as I continue my journey.
- 2:54I've heard that the GLP one, I think there was a comment that the GLP one helped to get rid of some of that pain. So if that's helping to take some of the weight off as well as get rid of some of the pain, that could be a win-win situation.
- 3:09And lastly, switching meds. There's a few different, I think there's four different meds. So like as an example, go from let's resolve to Exemestine or something like that.
- 3:21Or even to Moxivan. But in addition to that, sometimes the manufacturer is the problem. Sometimes we have a reaction to whatever fillers are in these medications. So you can always talk to your pharmacy and try and find a different manufacturer of the same medication.
- 3:39So hopefully this list helps somebody who needs to stay on these rheumatase inhibitors.
Aromatase inhibitor side effects: do these TikTok remedies actually work?
Quick answer
Aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal syndrome (AIMSS) affects roughly 35-50% of postmenopausal breast cancer patients on AIs like anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane, and is the leading cause of early discontinuation. The creator is addressing a real, clinically documented problem where evidence-based non-pharmacological options, particularly exercise and acupuncture, have demonstrated efficacy in RCTs. Black cohosh warrants caution in hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer patients despite one creator's oncologist recommending it, as theoretical estrogenic activity remains a concern that should be discussed individually with a treating oncologist.
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This FormBlends review is specific to "Aromatase inhibitor side effects: do these TikTok remedies actually work?" from HerBosomBuddy. We read the clip as a TRT social video fact-checks claim about Testosterone, then separate the useful signal from what a short social video cannot prove. The page-specific claim focus is: Aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal syndrome (AIMSS) affects roughly 35-50% of postmenopausal breast cancer patients on AIs like anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane, and is the leading cause of early discontinuation.
The reason this review is not generic is the source wording and the canonical claim label "trt replying to dunia a i know not everyone can go off these med." In this clip, the useful excerpt is: "It is not an option for everybody to stop taking the aromatase inhibitors." That wording changes the review because it points to Testosterone evidence, safety, and patient-fit context, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
The source trail for this page is checked against Efficacy of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Weight Loss, BMI, and Waist Circumference (2025), Discontinuing glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and body habitus (2025), and Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and co-agonists on body composition (2025), plus the creator's own wording. Testosterone decisions still need an eligibility review, medication-interaction screen, access check, and quality-control review before anyone treats a social clip as medical advice.
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Aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal syndrome (AIMSS) affects roughly 35-50% of postmenopausal breast cancer patients on AIs like anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane, and is the leading cause of early discontinuation.
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What it helps with
- Aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal syndrome (AIMSS) affects roughly 35-50% of postmenopausal breast cancer patients on AIs like anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane, and is the leading cause of early discontinuation. The creator is addressing a real, clinically documented problem where evidence-based non-pharmacological options, particularly exercise and acupuncture, have demonstrated efficacy in RCTs. Black cohosh warrants caution in hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer patients despite one creator's oncologist recommending it, as theoretical estrogenic activity remains a concern that should be discussed individually with a treating oncologist.
- AIMSS affects up to 50% of patients on aromatase inhibitors and is the top reason for early discontinuation, which independently worsens breast cancer outcomes (Hershman et al., 2010, Journal of Clinical Oncology).
- Exercise has RCT-level evidence for reducing AI joint pain, not just general health benefit, making it the strongest recommendation on this list.
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- It may not cover eligibility, contraindications, medication interactions, lab history, or dose escalation.
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Start provider reviewWhat You'll Learn
- AIMSS affects up to 50% of patients on aromatase inhibitors and is the top reason for early discontinuation, which independently worsens breast cancer outcomes (Hershman et al., 2010, Journal of Clinical Oncology).
- Exercise has RCT-level evidence for reducing AI joint pain, not just general health benefit, making it the strongest recommendation on this list.
- Acupuncture beat sham acupuncture in a 2018 JAMA Oncology RCT specifically for AI-associated joint pain, which means it is more than placebo.
- Vitamin D correction has direct evidence in this population, but you need a blood test first to know whether you are actually deficient before supplementing.
- Claritin for AI pain is based on anecdote and a mechanistically unrelated study, not clinical evidence in breast cancer patients.
- Black cohosh should not be taken without oncologist approval in hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer, regardless of who recommended it in someone else's individual case.
- Switching AI manufacturers within the same drug class is a legitimate, underused strategy because inactive fillers vary and can drive tolerability differences, ask your pharmacist.
Our take · Written by FormBlends editorial team · Reviewed by FormBlends Medical Team · This is not a transcript. It is our independent review of the video above.
What did @herbosombuddy actually say?
The creator, a breast cancer patient on aromatase inhibitors (AIs), compiled a list of non-opioid strategies for managing AI-related joint pain and musculoskeletal symptoms. She recommended exercise, acupuncture, diet changes, hydration with electrolytes, tart cherry juice, Claritin (loratadine), Vitamin D3/K2, B12 (specifically methylcobalamin), black cohosh, Bonafide products, sauna, meditation, GLP-1 medications, and switching AI brands or manufacturers. She was careful to note she is not telling people to stop their medications, and she credited her oncologist for the black cohosh suggestion. This is a patient sharing lived experience, not a clinician giving prescriptions.
That framing matters. AI-associated musculoskeletal syndrome (AIMSS) affects up to 50% of patients on aromatase inhibitors and is one of the top reasons for non-adherence. Anything that helps people stay on their cancer treatment is worth taking seriously.
Does the science back this up?
More than you might expect, though the evidence is uneven across her list. Exercise and acupuncture have the strongest data. The lifestyle suggestions are sensible but modest in effect. A few recommendations, particularly Claritin and tart cherry juice, have thin or anecdotal support for AIMSS specifically.
Exercise: A 2012 randomized controlled trial by Irwin et al. in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that a year-long exercise intervention significantly reduced AI-related joint pain scores. This is one of the better-studied interventions on her list.
Acupuncture: A 2018 RCT by Hershman et al. published in JAMA Oncology found that acupuncture significantly reduced AI-related joint pain compared to sham acupuncture and waitlist controls. Insurance coverage is improving but still inconsistent.
Vitamin D: Multiple studies link low vitamin D to worsened AIMSS. A trial by Khan et al. (2012, Journal of Clinical Oncology) found that correcting vitamin D deficiency reduced joint pain in AI patients. This one has real support.
Loratadine (Claritin): There is one retrospective study suggesting antihistamines may reduce bone pain during G-CSF therapy, which is mechanistically different from AIMSS. Applying this to aromatase inhibitor pain is a stretch. The evidence for Claritin specifically in AIMSS is weak.
What did they get wrong (or right)?
She got several things right. The B12 advice, specifying methylcobalamin over cyanocobalamin, is pharmacologically reasonable, though for most people without absorption issues, the difference is modest. Recommending patients ask their pharmacy about switching manufacturers for the same AI is genuinely useful and underutilized advice, as inactive fillers can drive tolerability differences.
The black cohosh recommendation comes with a significant caveat she did not mention: black cohosh is generally avoided or approached with caution in hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer patients because of theoretical estrogenic activity, though evidence is mixed. The fact that her oncologist recommended it suggests a case-specific conversation happened, but presenting it without that warning to a general breast cancer audience is a gap. If you have ER-positive breast cancer, talk to your oncologist before taking black cohosh, full stop.
The GLP-1 mention is speculative. She framed it as something heard in a comment, not a claim, which is honest. But putting it on a list alongside established interventions gives it undeserved weight.
What should you actually know?
AIMSS is real, undertreated, and a genuine threat to treatment adherence, which directly affects cancer outcomes. A 2010 study by Hershman et al. in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that patients who discontinued AIs had significantly worse breast cancer-specific survival. So non-adherence is not a minor issue.
The safest interventions on this list are exercise, acupuncture (with a qualified practitioner), vitamin D correction (get your levels tested first), hydration, and switching AI formulations or manufacturers under pharmacist guidance. These have either direct evidence or strong safety profiles.
Be cautious with black cohosh if you have hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Talk to your oncologist, not TikTok. The Bonafide products she mentions are marketed for menopause symptoms and are generally low-risk, but evidence for AIMSS specifically is limited. Sauna and meditation carry minimal risk and may help with pain and stress, even if the AIMSS-specific data is thin.
None of this replaces the conversation you need to have with your oncologist or a palliative care specialist who understands cancer treatment side effects.
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About the Creator
HerBosomBuddy · TikTok creator
5.9K views on this video
Replying to @Dunia A I know not everyone can go off these meds so here’s a list of things to try😊 Exercise, acupuncture, limiting sugar/processed foods, staying hydrated (maybe add clean electrolytes), tart cherry juice, Claritin, Vitamin D3/K2, Vitamin B12, black cohosh, Bonafide products, sauna, meditation/box breathing, GLP-1, switching to another AI or switching manufacturers of your current medication. Please share with someone who might need this. Hope it helps🩷 #breastcancer #aromatasei
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers based on this video and our medical team review.
What does the video say about aimss affects up to 50% of patients on aromatase inhibitors?
AIMSS affects up to 50% of patients on aromatase inhibitors and is the top reason for early discontinuation, which independently worsens breast cancer outcomes (Hershman et al., 2010, Journal of Clinical Oncology).
What does the video say about exercise has rct-level evidence for reducing ai joint pain, not?
Exercise has RCT-level evidence for reducing AI joint pain, not just general health benefit, making it the strongest recommendation on this list.
What does the video say about acupuncture beat sham acupuncture in a 2018 jama oncology rct?
Acupuncture beat sham acupuncture in a 2018 JAMA Oncology RCT specifically for AI-associated joint pain, which means it is more than placebo.
What does the video say about vitamin d correction has direct evidence in this population,?
Vitamin D correction has direct evidence in this population, but you need a blood test first to know whether you are actually deficient before supplementing.
What does the video say about claritin for ai pain?
Claritin for AI pain is based on anecdote and a mechanistically unrelated study, not clinical evidence in breast cancer patients.
What does the video say about black cohosh should not be taken without oncologist approval in?
Black cohosh should not be taken without oncologist approval in hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer, regardless of who recommended it in someone else's individual case.
Sources & references
Citations extracted from our medical team's review. Click any citation to search PubMed.
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Not medical advice. This video was made by HerBosomBuddy, not by FormBlends. Our write-up above is an editorial review, not a medical recommendation. Talk to your doctor before making any decisions about medications or treatments.