1. < Breast Cancer

Completed 5 years of anastrozole. Withdrawal symptoms? Side effects?

Posted by christinej @christinej, Jul 24, 2018

Monday, July 23rd, after consulting with Dr. Loprinzi, we decided to have me stop taking anastrozole. (Arimidex). It has been 5 years since I started the drug after breast cancer surgery and radiation. Has anyone stopped this drug and had any withdrawal symptoms? The nurse from Blue Group sent me an email today saying that there are no withdrawal symptoms after stopping this drug. Soooooooooooooo, is this all in my head? Definitely having some type of withdrawal.

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muzikmom66 | @muzikmom66 | Nov 26, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @muzikmom66, sounds like you should talk to your doctor about the bloating and cramping. It..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @muzikmom66, sounds like you should talk to your doctor about the bloating and cramping. It could very well be your body adjusting, but I say it is better to be safe than sorry.

Have you noticed the bloating and cramping lessening these past few days? Any other changes?

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Good morning!
The bloating and cramping is subsiding.
Thanks for your reply.
Regards,
Betty

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lolita1234 | @lolita1234 | Dec 15, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome to Connect, @christinej I'm tagging a few other members who have mentioned taking anastrozole for..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Welcome to Connect, @christinej
I'm tagging a few other members who have mentioned taking anastrozole for some time such as @wandering @susanao1 @itskeenerific @judymroz @cindylb @chamisaand @berit. I'm not sure if all have finished AI treatment.

Christine, what symptoms are you experiencing?

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Hello, I have been on anastrozole for ten years. If you work out daily and change your diet, it. It would help with the side effects; we all have gone through the storm, put your faith. In the Lord, live daily according to his will and be blessed. Live every moment as a blessed day. I am alive with a smile, so don't let fear get in our way. Just be happy and keep moving. I welcome myself to the family, Delores.

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2scottymom | @2scottymom | Mar 28 10:11am
In reply to @rosy54 "Hi….. I was on anastrozole for 5 years for breast cancer. My doctor told me to..." + (show)
@rosy54

Hi….. I was on anastrozole for 5 years for breast cancer. My doctor told me to stop taking it after 5 years there’s no value to continue.
I’m suffering from memory problems and worried I’m developing dementia because of it. I’ve often wonder if there’s a connection with taking anastrozole for too many years and now suffering with memory loss issues. I’m worried at 68 yrs if my memory will get worse😢

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brain fog is one of the side effects here too, but MD says it will improve now that i stopped taking it. Hoping the blood pressuer and weight will go back some too

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1 reply
2scottymom | @2scottymom | Mar 28 10:31am

Seems like as time goes by they know more... I found this article and the vaginal thing is happening to me, with a complete hyssy in 2002. 🙁 So its not in my head, and the Onc seemed defensive" we didnt cause it" !
Well, no, but the drug did, cant wait to get past the symthoms. mayo clinic has an atricle that lists more things we may feel

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 28 10:49am
In reply to @2scottymom "Seems like as time goes by they know more... I found this article and the vaginal..." + (show)
@2scottymom

Seems like as time goes by they know more... I found this article and the vaginal thing is happening to me, with a complete hyssy in 2002. 🙁 So its not in my head, and the Onc seemed defensive" we didnt cause it" !
Well, no, but the drug did, cant wait to get past the symthoms. mayo clinic has an atricle that lists more things we may feel

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@2scottymom, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to an article with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe.

Allow me to post it for you:
- Anastrozole (Oral Route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/anastrozole-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20061868

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1 reply
nanna1948 | @nanna1948 | Mar 29 6:58am
In reply to @2scottymom "brain fog is one of the side effects here too, but MD says it will improve..." + (show)
@2scottymom

brain fog is one of the side effects here too, but MD says it will improve now that i stopped taking it. Hoping the blood pressuer and weight will go back some too

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I had no withdrawal symptoms just felt better stomach issues are gone hair loss’s slow down as well as weight gain. Congratulations you made it five years

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2scottymom | @2scottymom | Mar 30 1:22pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "@2scottymom, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to an article with your post...." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@2scottymom, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to an article with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe.

Allow me to post it for you:
- Anastrozole (Oral Route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/anastrozole-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20061868

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Thank you for posting it, I am having some in the less common catagory, may help others to know its possible to be from getting off the pill

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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Mar 30 1:31pm

I reached my 5 years last November and stopped taking the drug. My digestive issues stopped after 9 days. My insomnia is slowly resolving, but I have a bit to go. I switched from anastrozole to exemestane 4 years ago - so my joint pain was minimum already. So I'd have to say most if not all of my side effects from the drug have gone away. Best wishes to all of you.

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1 reply
joulibarrigmailcom07 | @joulibarrigmailcom07 | Apr 7 12:09am

I went off my anastrozole about 3 weeks ago after 7 years, and started feeling horrible. Couldn't figure out why. My daughter just realized it started happening when I went off it. Makes sense now, started to get scared. The fatigue, horrible body aches, incontinence, weakness. I can hardly wait to feel better

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3 replies
windyshores | @windyshores | Apr 7 12:26am
In reply to @joulibarrigmailcom07 "I went off my anastrozole about 3 weeks ago after 7 years, and started feeling horrible...." + (show)
@joulibarrigmailcom07

I went off my anastrozole about 3 weeks ago after 7 years, and started feeling horrible. Couldn't figure out why. My daughter just realized it started happening when I went off it. Makes sense now, started to get scared. The fatigue, horrible body aches, incontinence, weakness. I can hardly wait to feel better

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I tapered. Maybe that would help-?

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