1. < Breast Cancer

Foot pain with Anastrozole?

Posted by lhwoz @lhwoz, Oct 17, 2023

Hello all-
I have read on this topic from posts that were from 4-5 years ago but looking for your experience from more recently.

I am 56 and on month 6 of Anastrozole. I had ILC stage 1/2 with lumpectomy/re excision and a course of radiation.

I have alwasy been very active as a lifestyle, hiking, gym, Orangetheory etc. Hike all over zion/Bryce Canyon in early May when radiation done to celebrate and remind myself if who I am and will be.

Since Aug I have had some achilles tenderness but more debilitating is crazy foot/heel pain especially in the am or when I get up from sitting/non movement. I have been attributing it to achilles tendinitis(self diagnosis šŸ™ ) but I am finally thinking this is the anastrozole? I literally walk /hobble when I am first out of bed. I have some hand pain also but it feels just more like arthritic/tightness and not as noticeable/not affecting daily activities or exercise. Knees also feel out of sorts but I've had that here and there prior to this.

Can anyone share their experience with the foot /heel situation? Should I try a different AI or will this subside?

Much love and support to you all!

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lhwoz | @lhwoz | May 30 12:59pm
In reply to @magmcdonah2 "I just posted on this in the past week or so. I got to point after..." + (show)
@magmcdonah2

I just posted on this in the past week or so. I got to point after 2 years 8 months could barely walk. Went to a lecture on rheumatoid arthritis and the photo on the screen looked just like my foot. I had enough, stopped drug about 10 days ago. Feel great still having slight trigger finger and some left foot pain at digit 2 which I may proceed with surgery. But I can do lunges again. Do I feel scared and anxious that I quit yes, but I was miserable and had similar story lumpectomy with radiation, neg nodes. Itā€™s hard and a personal decision.

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I completely respect this decision as I am sure many of us here do. I often tell friend the surgeries and radiation were a cake walk compared to this and lack of sleep.

REPLY
lhwoz | @lhwoz | May 30 1:05pm

I switched to Letrozole a few weeks ago to see if it makes a difference. Only difference is that now I have crazy middle of the night insomnia🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️. Will stay on it till next appt and just keep trying to deal with achilles tendon issues-then address with her.

REPLY
1 reply
bjohnson511 | @bjohnson511 | May 31 11:01am
In reply to @magmcdonah2 "I just posted on this in the past week or so. I got to point after..." + (show)
@magmcdonah2

I just posted on this in the past week or so. I got to point after 2 years 8 months could barely walk. Went to a lecture on rheumatoid arthritis and the photo on the screen looked just like my foot. I had enough, stopped drug about 10 days ago. Feel great still having slight trigger finger and some left foot pain at digit 2 which I may proceed with surgery. But I can do lunges again. Do I feel scared and anxious that I quit yes, but I was miserable and had similar story lumpectomy with radiation, neg nodes. Itā€™s hard and a personal decision.

Jump to this post

I feel your pain! I was only On an anastrozole for six months. I have trigger thumb a baby fingers donā€™t work knee pain all the joints in my body hurt. And yes, I went off of it. I have more energy, but the pain is still bad in my fingers and my thumb. I was thinking about calling a rheumatologist for help. Yes, I am also scared that I went off the pill but canā€™t live my life on the couch. I am a very active person with a very active social life. Best wishes and hugs to you.

REPLY
2 replies
magmcdonah2 | @magmcdonah2 | May 31 1:58pm
In reply to @bjohnson511 "I feel your pain! I was only On an anastrozole for six months. I have trigger..." + (show)
@bjohnson511

I feel your pain! I was only On an anastrozole for six months. I have trigger thumb a baby fingers donā€™t work knee pain all the joints in my body hurt. And yes, I went off of it. I have more energy, but the pain is still bad in my fingers and my thumb. I was thinking about calling a rheumatologist for help. Yes, I am also scared that I went off the pill but canā€™t live my life on the couch. I am a very active person with a very active social life. Best wishes and hugs to you.

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Yeah, i totally understand Iā€™m a very active person too, best to you.

REPLY
nanna1948 | @nanna1948 | Jun 1 5:46am
In reply to @bjohnson511 "I feel your pain! I was only On an anastrozole for six months. I have trigger..." + (show)
@bjohnson511

I feel your pain! I was only On an anastrozole for six months. I have trigger thumb a baby fingers donā€™t work knee pain all the joints in my body hurt. And yes, I went off of it. I have more energy, but the pain is still bad in my fingers and my thumb. I was thinking about calling a rheumatologist for help. Yes, I am also scared that I went off the pill but canā€™t live my life on the couch. I am a very active person with a very active social life. Best wishes and hugs to you.

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I applied voltaren to my hand that hurt. and dud this every night eventually i was pain free. Finished five years
good luck

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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Jun 1 3:31pm

When I started on Anastrozole - after about 4 months, my hands , toes and shoulders hurt so much. I insisted that the drug be changed at about 6 months - she sent me to a Rheumatologist to make sure the hand pain (at a 7 by then) - was not arthritis. It was not. Finally changed me to Exemestane close to 1 year on the first drug. It took 10 or so weeks, but the pain in my hands faded to a 1, from a 7. Each person had different side effects from different drugs. I made my 5 years last November. I urge you to have a frank discussion on the drugs with your doctor. Good luck.

REPLY
1 reply
kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Jun 1 3:33pm
In reply to @lhwoz "I switched to Letrozole a few weeks ago to see if it makes a difference. Only..." + (show)
@lhwoz

I switched to Letrozole a few weeks ago to see if it makes a difference. Only difference is that now I have crazy middle of the night insomnia🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️. Will stay on it till next appt and just keep trying to deal with achilles tendon issues-then address with her.

Jump to this post

My insomnia last for the full 5 years - first on anastrozole (1 year) then on exemestane (4 years). I got off it last November - it's getting a lot better - but it's not all gone. Try CALM for sleep - I used the gummies & it really helped.

REPLY
lhwoz | @lhwoz | Jun 1 4:49pm
In reply to @kathyomaha55 "When I started on Anastrozole - after about 4 months, my hands , toes and shoulders..." + (show)
@kathyomaha55

When I started on Anastrozole - after about 4 months, my hands , toes and shoulders hurt so much. I insisted that the drug be changed at about 6 months - she sent me to a Rheumatologist to make sure the hand pain (at a 7 by then) - was not arthritis. It was not. Finally changed me to Exemestane close to 1 year on the first drug. It took 10 or so weeks, but the pain in my hands faded to a 1, from a 7. Each person had different side effects from different drugs. I made my 5 years last November. I urge you to have a frank discussion on the drugs with your doctor. Good luck.

Jump to this post

Love to hear this. Thanks for sharing

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