1. < Breast Cancer

What happens when you stop taking anastrozole?

Posted by kamra @kamra, May 7, 2023

I've been taking anastrozole for six months to shrink tumors in preparation for surgery. I stopped taking it about a week and a half ago as the doctor ordered since my surgery is coming up. I've felt weird and not very well since stopping. I've been tired, kind of dizzy, and just not feeling myself. Anyone have experience with side effects when stopping Anastrozole? Thank you. I go back on it after surgery.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

chiara58 | @chiara58 | Jan 24 8:14am

I stopped anastrozole after 5 years. Too many side effects. I am on EXEMESTANE now and it seems to have much fewer side effects and, hopefully, it works just as well as anastrozole.

REPLY
blackcat | @blackcat | Jan 24 3:19pm
In reply to @saraabrooks "I was so ready to complete 5 yrs. The first 3 months were fine, then, fatigue..." + (show)
@saraabrooks

I was so ready to complete 5 yrs. The first 3 months were fine, then, fatigue hit so badly. I was a wet rag lying on the couch with encroaching depression. Then went off of drug as Christmas 2023 was approaching. Enjoyed not having that awful fatigue. Went back on Dec 29, and then finally gave up Jan 14, 2024. Having 3rd mtg w/team end of month. I'm going to opt for lumpectomy. Anastrozole REALLY worked. The sonogram nurse couldn't even find the left breast lump. Finally did, but commented on how it changed. The right breast was much larger and yet diminished by about 30%. If you can stand the drug, good for you. My quality of life was non-existent. Too tired to even join my crochet group.

Jump to this post

What do you crochet? Very cool.

REPLY
saraabrooks | @saraabrooks | Jan 24 3:57pm

I got back into crochet about 4 months ago. The last time I crocheted before that was when I was about 15. I just crochet simple things scarves and now I'm onto an Afghan which hopefully I'll be able to finish. The real thing about crochet is the people who I sit with around a big table and share life stories and they are the best support ever.

REPLY
20yrsurvivor | @20yrsurvivor | Mar 20 6:19pm
In reply to @kammcn "A year ago I had similar circumstances. I took anastrozole for six months prior to surgery..." + (show)
@kammcn

A year ago I had similar circumstances. I took anastrozole for six months prior to surgery in order to shrink the tumors. When I started taking anastrozole, I had overwhelming fatigue from then on. My blood pressure went up, and I experienced insomnia for the first time ever. I stopped anastrozole several weeks before surgery, and within three days I felt great. I had energy and slept really well. I felt better than I had in over six months. I restarted a week after surgery and those side effects came back quickly. It made me question resuming it again. Because my tumors were 97% estr/pro positive, my oncologist strongly recommended it.

If you are experiencing these side effects from stopping them, you need to let your health providers know. You don’t want to go into surgery with these symptoms ongoing. I have found health care providers will do whatever necessary to get you past any problems you are having. Good luck with this and I pray for a positive surgery.

Jump to this post

I have been on anastrozole for 15 yrs and have been recommended to continue for life. I am already 78 and also have osteopenia and arthritis. I read that it might be wise to take a 3 month break but my oncologist has not mentioned this. Feel hot all the time. I guess since I am a 20 yr survival it must be helping so will put up with hot flashes.

REPLY
catb27 | @catb27 | Apr 6 10:20am

I am new to this forum. 2 1/2 years ago I was diagnosed with DCIS. I had surgery to remove the nipple area as a precautionary as the very small sac was located in very close proximity.

I did not need radiation but I was prescribed Anastrozole. The first year was fine. I had no side effects at all. In the second year I began having sleep issues, extended depression and increased anxiety. My heart felt like it was jumping out of my chest at times. I’ve also experienced shortness of breath.

I decided to see a cardiologist to rule out any hear issues and am waiting on test results. I have no family heart issues and have never smoked, I do not drink and I am very active.

I thought I was the only one experiencing sides effects as my oncologist basically blows me off when I try to discuss the matter. The other option is a change to Tamoxifen which I am unable to take as I take Paxil for major depression and panic/anxiety disorder, which have all been under control for many years. Even my surgery and diagnosis did not cause a relapse in the area. I have only relapsed since I have been on Anastrozole.

Does anyone else notice any of these side affects while taking Anastrozole?

Thank you. This is a very informative group.

Stay strong and resilient!

REPLY
1 reply
nanna1948 | @nanna1948 | Apr 7 6:52am

When you stop you just go back to normal no symptoms at all shortly after stopping keep us with it it does seem to be drug of choice

REPLY
1 reply
saraabrooks | @saraabrooks | Apr 7 7:12am
In reply to @nanna1948 "When you stop you just go back to normal no symptoms at all shortly after stopping..." + (show)
@nanna1948

When you stop you just go back to normal no symptoms at all shortly after stopping keep us with it it does seem to be drug of choice

Jump to this post

After stopping Anastrozole it took a while for the side effects to stop. I had extreme fatigue, hot flashes which I never had during menopause because of hrt, anything that was wrong with me doubled. I had some carpal tunnel from crochet work but after taking Anastrozole and stopping crochet work at all got worse. My right shoulder is really hurting it's right down to the bone. It's still with me after stopping anastrazole on February 16. I am now fine and I'm getting back my strength and taking walks again. Today is April 7th. The first 90 days were a breeze and then I went back for my second 90 days and as I have said before everything went South in 2 weeks. I blame the manufacturers. There's a lot of them and they do whatever the hell they want. My batch was the opposite of what my first batch was.

REPLY
1 reply
nanna1948 | @nanna1948 | Apr 7 7:21am
In reply to @saraabrooks "After stopping Anastrozole it took a while for the side effects to stop. I had extreme..." + (show)
@saraabrooks

After stopping Anastrozole it took a while for the side effects to stop. I had extreme fatigue, hot flashes which I never had during menopause because of hrt, anything that was wrong with me doubled. I had some carpal tunnel from crochet work but after taking Anastrozole and stopping crochet work at all got worse. My right shoulder is really hurting it's right down to the bone. It's still with me after stopping anastrazole on February 16. I am now fine and I'm getting back my strength and taking walks again. Today is April 7th. The first 90 days were a breeze and then I went back for my second 90 days and as I have said before everything went South in 2 weeks. I blame the manufacturers. There's a lot of them and they do whatever the hell they want. My batch was the opposite of what my first batch was.

Jump to this post

Everyone is different I had it easy peasy. Back to normal. Had diahrea thriugh mist of my treatment Much less now. Hair loss stopped

REPLY
exk | @exk | Apr 7 7:50am
In reply to @catb27 "I am new to this forum. 2 1/2 years ago I was diagnosed with DCIS. I..." + (show)
@catb27

I am new to this forum. 2 1/2 years ago I was diagnosed with DCIS. I had surgery to remove the nipple area as a precautionary as the very small sac was located in very close proximity.

I did not need radiation but I was prescribed Anastrozole. The first year was fine. I had no side effects at all. In the second year I began having sleep issues, extended depression and increased anxiety. My heart felt like it was jumping out of my chest at times. I’ve also experienced shortness of breath.

I decided to see a cardiologist to rule out any hear issues and am waiting on test results. I have no family heart issues and have never smoked, I do not drink and I am very active.

I thought I was the only one experiencing sides effects as my oncologist basically blows me off when I try to discuss the matter. The other option is a change to Tamoxifen which I am unable to take as I take Paxil for major depression and panic/anxiety disorder, which have all been under control for many years. Even my surgery and diagnosis did not cause a relapse in the area. I have only relapsed since I have been on Anastrozole.

Does anyone else notice any of these side affects while taking Anastrozole?

Thank you. This is a very informative group.

Stay strong and resilient!

Jump to this post

I posted a few weeks back about 2+ months of aggressive, daily heart palpitations that started about 1.5 years into my Anastrozole. My manufacturer had been switched from Accord to Breckenridge. Switched back to Accord and no more palpitations. I also had complete cardio checkup and all was good.. Oncologist said the switch had nothing to do with the palps but um, yeah, it did. Check with pharmacist on your vendor options.

REPLY
pamela11 | @pamela11 | Apr 9 4:23pm
In reply to @lori501 "I am new to this site and also have questions about Anastrozole. I’ve been on it..." + (show)
@lori501

I am new to this site and also have questions about Anastrozole. I’ve been on it 3.5 years now, and am scheduled to take it for 5 years. I’m VERY concerned about bone loss and have many of the side effects. My doctor won’t even talk with me about stopping it early, and I feel she’s not listening to me. If I make it to the 4 year mark, what is the cancer reoccurrence vs the continued side effects? I really, really want to be done with this medication.

Jump to this post

I took it for 4 and a half. I had the oncotest done and another blood test that tells you whether it benefits a person to go longer than the 5 and my oncoscore was only 14 so my oncologist let me stop at 4 and a half. Thank heaven.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.