Timing of HRT, anastrozole - taking day or night?

Posted by trixie1313 @trixie1313, Mar 7, 2019

I've seen many messages about anastrozole, but does anyone prefer to take this in the morning or evening? I'm wondering if side effects are less via day or night?

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

@ruby1969

I am interested in knowing why Claritin works on joint pain. I have horrible hand/wrist/thumb pain.
My oncologist switched me from exemestane to a anastrozole to if that would help but it did not.
I do not want to stop taking it, I just really want something to ease the pain a bit and the Claritin sound doable
without another pill causing side effects. Thank you for posting.

Jump to this post

Hello Ruby, It seems that a number of antihistamines have an anti-inflammatory effect.
When you think about the mechanisms of allergies (your body is flooded with irritating histamine) and inflammation (overactive immune cells causing irritation) it makes sense that "quieting" reactions helps.
In our family we have long been aware that an allergy flare is often accompanied by a worsening arthritis pain, and that promptly and consistently treating allergy symptoms can avoid a major flare-up. We just didn't know why.
So someone undertook a study to figure out why:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8999734/
I don't pretend to understand the whole thing, but it seems "... Loratadine Targets the AP-1 Signaling Pathway to Reduce Inflammatory Responses..." meaning it actually reduces the inflammation, doesn't just mask the pain.
Well, now we have an idea - I can no longer use NSAIDS, so I will be talking to my docs about trying this route!
Sue

REPLY

I take anastrozole at night too. It helps sleeping through some of the side effect. Hot flashes , pain in joints, and sometimes mood changes. In the morning I’m a little stiff but after walking around and taking a shower it’s helps a lot. I have been on this for almost 2 years. Started Aug of 2022. It’s a wonderful medicine if you can stick with it. I do seem to find that people with high estrogen and Pr seems to do better with the side effects. I was 58 post menopause. Stage 2 with 1 sentinel lymph node positive. Would love to hear if anyone has the same and how they are doing

REPLY

Does anyone have weight gain from Anastrozole or Exemestane?

REPLY
@chickenmom10

I take anastrozole at night too. It helps sleeping through some of the side effect. Hot flashes , pain in joints, and sometimes mood changes. In the morning I’m a little stiff but after walking around and taking a shower it’s helps a lot. I have been on this for almost 2 years. Started Aug of 2022. It’s a wonderful medicine if you can stick with it. I do seem to find that people with high estrogen and Pr seems to do better with the side effects. I was 58 post menopause. Stage 2 with 1 sentinel lymph node positive. Would love to hear if anyone has the same and how they are doing

Jump to this post

Also ER/PR+ (99/69%) HER2- stage 2, 2 sentinel node+. On Anastrozole for two years; now on Brand Arimidix which lessened side effects which are mitigated by yoga, stretching, walking. I take it in the morning but thinking to switch to evening and see if my days have a little less joint discomfort. Also beginning a daily tart cherry extract trial to see if that may help also.
Fortunately my side effects are mild to moderate so I can tolerate this med which has such success with my diagnosis.

REPLY
@sally484

Does anyone have weight gain from Anastrozole or Exemestane?

Jump to this post

On Anastrozole for two years and have not had weight gain .

REPLY
@sueinmn

Hello Ruby, It seems that a number of antihistamines have an anti-inflammatory effect.
When you think about the mechanisms of allergies (your body is flooded with irritating histamine) and inflammation (overactive immune cells causing irritation) it makes sense that "quieting" reactions helps.
In our family we have long been aware that an allergy flare is often accompanied by a worsening arthritis pain, and that promptly and consistently treating allergy symptoms can avoid a major flare-up. We just didn't know why.
So someone undertook a study to figure out why:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8999734/
I don't pretend to understand the whole thing, but it seems "... Loratadine Targets the AP-1 Signaling Pathway to Reduce Inflammatory Responses..." meaning it actually reduces the inflammation, doesn't just mask the pain.
Well, now we have an idea - I can no longer use NSAIDS, so I will be talking to my docs about trying this route!
Sue

Jump to this post

Following this with interest! Thank you.

REPLY

I just bought tart cherry juice hoping that might help tooI also been drinking green tea at least 2-3 cups a day to help with inflammation.
You right I think high Er and Pr helps with minimal side effects from anastrozole. I have taking this med for almost 2 years Aug will be my 2 year mark.
How long are they telling you taking this medication? They are saying for me 5-7 years.

REPLY
@anjalima

On Anastrozole for two years and have not had weight gain .

Jump to this post

No weight gain. Trying to eat veggie and fruit if I’m hungry and drinking green tea

REPLY

For hot flashes, I eat 2 tablespoons of "freshly ground" flax seeds every day, usually mixed in oatmeal or other foods. It must be ground and consumed fresh daily. I've tried so many times to skip the flax seeds and the hot flashes come on strong if I don't eat the ground flax seeds. Supposedly the ground flax seeds trap the estrogen in the bowels. I'm 63 and it's been 3 years since diagnosed ER/PR+ Her2-. Just started Anastrozole 6 weeks ago. I take it at night and no problems so far except I am having a terrible time sleeping. I only get 3-4 hours of sleep at night. Not sure if it's the Anastrozole or not. I am also gaining weight but not sure if it's the Anastrozole or Buspirone they put me on for anxiety.

REPLY
@chickenmom10

I just bought tart cherry juice hoping that might help tooI also been drinking green tea at least 2-3 cups a day to help with inflammation.
You right I think high Er and Pr helps with minimal side effects from anastrozole. I have taking this med for almost 2 years Aug will be my 2 year mark.
How long are they telling you taking this medication? They are saying for me 5-7 years.

Jump to this post

I’m also told 5-7 years. At 2 now!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.