1. < Breast Cancer

Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Posted by tinalove @tinalove, Jan 31, 2016

I completed all treatments for breast cancer but now I am supposed to take hormone blocker, named anastrozole. im concerned about the side effects. Has anyone here taken it and did anyone have hair loss?

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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Dec 3, 2019
In reply to @cindylb "I have been an active member of this discussion for quite a while and so I..." + (show)
@cindylb

I have been an active member of this discussion for quite a while and so I thought I'd share here a new complication I am experiencing with my breast cancer 'recovery'. First, yesterday was my four year anniversary of my bi lateral mastectomy and I'll have my check up in December and hope that I am four years cancer free.....that's the good news! Unfortunately a little over two weeks ago I got cellulitis in my left hand (from a tiny, itty bitty cut) and I went into sepsis. I was hospitalized for 6 days on IV antibiotics and released on a long term IV antibiotic. I am allergic to antibiotics, so it's been a huge challenge. Every oral antibiotic they add to help my recovery (which is slow at best to kill the infection) has sent me to the ER with an allergic reaction.
The cellulitis is in the left arm that had some very mild lymphodema (that the doctors were very slow to acknowledge due to the fact that only one lymph node was removed during surgery). I thought I had the lymphodema in decent control after a scar revision surgery 3 years ago, but I think maybe not.
Anyone experience cellulitis or sepsis from lymphodema or? I'm finding it hard to get more information or support (and the doctors are of course focused on killing the infection and struggling somewhat). Looking for input wherever I might find it. Thanks!

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I met a lady who has severe Lymphodema on her left arm - she said she is always vigilant as any slight injury, causes her severe cellulitis. She is also a BC survivor - but they took out 29 of her 30 lymph nodes on that arm, like 15 years ago. So she still has problems. All of her nodes were negative - but maybe that's what they did back then. Seems like the surgeon was crazy to me. Good luck & she was wearing a compression sleeve.

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kathysway | @kathysway | Dec 13, 2019

I am on that medicine and now the Dr said to stop for three weeks because I have noticed my memory and concentration has gotten very bad then we will try a different med

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Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Dec 13, 2019

I hope you see a difference. I was on Leterzole and had same problem. I even had a cognitive test, I though maybe I had start of dementia. Been off for 2 weeks and huge improvement. I start this weekend on exemestane, hoping do not have same problem.

Everyone reacts differently to AI, I have had no joint pain, but the fatigue and cognitive issues caused me problems. See discussion topic on Chemo Brain for more info: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cancer-related-brain-fog/

Laurie

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sparklegram | @sparklegram | Dec 13, 2019
In reply to @trixie1313 "@kathyomaha55 I am 68 now and went off anastrozole after a short periods of time and..." + (show)
@trixie1313

@kathyomaha55
I am 68 now and went off anastrozole after a short periods of time and letrozole due to the severe bone pain. My doctor let me take a break and then started me on exemestane...what a difference. I can now walk without severe pain in feet and ankle, elbows, hands, etc. I have recently switched from taking it at night and now take it in the morning. I was having insomnia after sleeping 2-3 hours. Now that I am taking it in the morning, I sleep 7-8 hours a night...hoping that will keep up! I also go to therapeutic water exercise twice weekly and find this helps with arthritic pain.

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Hi Trixie, I've posted several times about my bad experience with Anastrozole. I then went on Exemestane and had some negative side effects. Currently I'm taking a break from all the AIs and am scheduled to start Tamoxifen in January. I'm 75 and I'm very worried about blood clots with that drug, though. Does anyone have experience with Tamoxifen or have any credible information about the possible side effects?

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1 reply
kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Dec 13, 2019
In reply to @sparklegram "Hi Trixie, I've posted several times about my bad experience with Anastrozole. I then went on..." + (show)
@sparklegram

Hi Trixie, I've posted several times about my bad experience with Anastrozole. I then went on Exemestane and had some negative side effects. Currently I'm taking a break from all the AIs and am scheduled to start Tamoxifen in January. I'm 75 and I'm very worried about blood clots with that drug, though. Does anyone have experience with Tamoxifen or have any credible information about the possible side effects?

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I just started Exemestane like 6 weeks ago. What were the side effects you had - if you don't mind me asking. I was on Anastrozole previously like for 11 months. My hands hurt so much it was unbearable.

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1 reply
trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Dec 13, 2019
In reply to @kathyomaha55 "I just started Exemestane like 6 weeks ago. What were the side effects you had -..." + (show)
@kathyomaha55

I just started Exemestane like 6 weeks ago. What were the side effects you had - if you don't mind me asking. I was on Anastrozole previously like for 11 months. My hands hurt so much it was unbearable.

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@kathyomaha55
Kathy - I don't know if this will help. A cousin is on anastrozole and purchased some sort of "copper" gloves that she wears at bedtime and says that helps with the hand pain. I never tried that while on anastrozole because my heels, elbows, hands, spine, etc., were so greatly affected so I went off that as well as having horrendous headaches. I next tried letrozole - no headaches but the bone pain was bad. Have been on exemestane now for 3 months and can say it is not so bad, just some bone aches although not like with the other two types of pills and manageable - when it gets too bad then I take some ibuprofen. I was taking the pill at night to avoid any side effects but wound up with insomnia and now that I have switched to taking in the morning, not really having that problem. I do have some hot flashes, but they are not too bad - I just try to dress in layers and that works for me.

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1 reply
dianamiracle | @dianamiracle | Dec 17, 2019
In reply to @trixie1313 "@kathyomaha55 Kathy - I don't know if this will help. A cousin is on anastrozole and..." + (show)
@trixie1313

@kathyomaha55
Kathy - I don't know if this will help. A cousin is on anastrozole and purchased some sort of "copper" gloves that she wears at bedtime and says that helps with the hand pain. I never tried that while on anastrozole because my heels, elbows, hands, spine, etc., were so greatly affected so I went off that as well as having horrendous headaches. I next tried letrozole - no headaches but the bone pain was bad. Have been on exemestane now for 3 months and can say it is not so bad, just some bone aches although not like with the other two types of pills and manageable - when it gets too bad then I take some ibuprofen. I was taking the pill at night to avoid any side effects but wound up with insomnia and now that I have switched to taking in the morning, not really having that problem. I do have some hot flashes, but they are not too bad - I just try to dress in layers and that works for me.

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I could not take any stomp tase inhibitors. The pain and side effects were too intense and I was too close to going to the er. Mayo recommended galoshes, which is a monthly injection - one shot in each buttock. The only side effect is the day I receive the shot I am very fatigued and sleep in the afternoon. My body seems to be doing well on this. It is different for everyone, but worth asking about

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1 reply
dmgweiss | @dmgweiss | Dec 17, 2019

I’m glad that you had another option. Wishing you the very best.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 17, 2019
In reply to @dianamiracle "I could not take any stomp tase inhibitors. The pain and side effects were too intense..." + (show)
@dianamiracle

I could not take any stomp tase inhibitors. The pain and side effects were too intense and I was too close to going to the er. Mayo recommended galoshes, which is a monthly injection - one shot in each buttock. The only side effect is the day I receive the shot I am very fatigued and sleep in the afternoon. My body seems to be doing well on this. It is different for everyone, but worth asking about

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@dianamiracle, wow it looks like auto-correct made some interesting changes to some of the words in your text.
stomp tase inhibitors, obvious was supposed to be aromatase inhibitors, but "galoshes?" Is that supposed to be goserelin (Zoladex) perhaps? Or a new Minnesota winter phenomenon? 😉

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1 reply
dianamiracle | @dianamiracle | Dec 17, 2019
In reply to @colleenyoung "@dianamiracle, wow it looks like auto-correct made some interesting changes to some of the words in..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@dianamiracle, wow it looks like auto-correct made some interesting changes to some of the words in your text.
stomp tase inhibitors, obvious was supposed to be aromatase inhibitors, but "galoshes?" Is that supposed to be goserelin (Zoladex) perhaps? Or a new Minnesota winter phenomenon? 😉

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Faslodex. Sorry about that

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