Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I have been taking Anastrozole for 6 months now and I have lost almost 30% of my hair (also with thinning) & still losing.
I’m also having arthritic type pain in my fingers and overall fatigue.
I did not have any of these health issues before.
According to my specialist The bottom line is all AIs have more or less the same symptoms. It is toxic but we have no other choice… or do we?

I spoke with the Cancer Society last week told me there are no clinical trials for new AI inhibitors due to the fact that the series of drugs helps the majority of people. I suggest we all start to call them at 800-227-2345 and continue to push them to do something that isn’t as bad as anastrozole. I feel your pain. I have all the same issues. It’s changed my life dramatically, and I’ve only been on them since Thanksgiving. I have been here anyway, but I have been using keranique spray from CVS for a year and taking biotin and so far so good on the hair.🙏🏻

I had lumpectomy, 33 radiation treatments last year. Started anastrozole Jan 1 - a few hot flashes - not big deal. HOWEVER mid February I started forgetting simple words, fact, date, lists and that has gotten continually worse. I see oncologist in April - I promised to do a 3 month trial - but at this point, not considering continuing. Switch for another 3 months? Take a break and see if my brain gets better? Anyone else have brain dysfunction? Thanks.

I had lumpectomy, 33 radiation treatments last year. Started anastrozole Jan 1 - a few hot flashes - not big deal. HOWEVER mid February I started forgetting simple words, fact, date, lists and that has gotten continually worse. I see oncologist in April - I promised to do a 3 month trial - but at this point, not considering continuing. Switch for another 3 months? Take a break and see if my brain gets better? Anyone else have brain dysfunction? Thanks.

Anastrozole did not work for me. Took almost a month to feel better. Started Exemestane- side effects not as bad but after about a month insomnia kicked in ☹️. Not sleeping makes all other side effects worse- including brain fog and yes unable to recall or takes a while to recall. I started taking it ( after talking to my PCP) every other day. It’s been about a month now and not much difference. I’ve tried taking it at a different time and adding various sleep aids. Not much luck still. The only other option I see for me- is stop taking or try acupuncture. I really wanted to stay on until June. Closest acupuncturist is over an hour away.

I have been taking Anastrozole for 6 months now and I have lost almost 30% of my hair (also with thinning) & still losing.
I’m also having arthritic type pain in my fingers and overall fatigue.
I did not have any of these health issues before.
According to my specialist The bottom line is all AIs have more or less the same symptoms. It is toxic but we have no other choice… or do we?

I spoke with the Cancer Society last week told me there are no clinical trials for new AI inhibitors due to the fact that the series of drugs helps the majority of people. I suggest we all start to call them at 800-227-2345 and continue to push them to do something that isn’t as bad as anastrozole. I feel your pain. I have all the same issues. It’s changed my life dramatically, and I’ve only been on them since Thanksgiving. I have been here anyway, but I have been using keranique spray from CVS for a year and taking biotin and so far so good on the hair.🙏🏻

@bjohnson511 to me it seems that any drug, or any dose of any drug, that is effective in reducing estrogen to below detectable levels, would have the same side effects. The letrozole insert does say that a 20% dose was effective. Rather than studying different, new drugs, I think it would be helpful to study the best dose, perhaps based on weight and age. But if effective, I would speculate that side effects will remain the same. Interested in hearing otherwise!