Anastrazole and anxiety

Thanks I appreciate your response. My plan is to finish either 5- 7 years whichever gives me the best outcome.

Cancer bloodwork

Hi, I am the same age as you and started Anastrozole in December. I have some joint stiffness, but reading that you had fatigue interests me.
The last few weeks I just crash around 1:30 pm everyday. I didn't even think it could be connected to this drug. I've been trying to figure out how to do something to fight fatigue. I watch my grandchild a few days a week and a new baby just came so I need to be more awake! Any tips would be appreciated.

I think this whole experience of having had breast cancer is so traumatic that fatigue is one part of processing the journey. Try taking some short walks as that might get the blood flowing and give you a bit of energy. The estrogen blockers can also cause insomnia so if you’re not sleeping well at night daytime fatigue happens. I use turmeric to help with the joint pain although I already had arthritis. One day at a time!

I would try a different time when you take the medicine.
I take Anastrozole now for 1 1/2 years and deal with muscle pain fatigue and tiredness. I got extremely tired 8 hours after I took it - the time I had to drive home. Literally to the point where I could not keep my eyes open. I am taking it now 7-8 hours BEFORE I want to go to sleep and that made a great difference. I also walk every day in the afternoon - that helps with the muscle pain.

I am taking it at 5 pm. Trying to get the major hot flashes out of the way. They can drench whatever I'm wearing.

Not sure what other time I could try. By 1:30 I have to nap.
I guess it could be related to something else too.

Most things that require energy I have to do in the mornings
( like the gym).

Thanks for your reply.

Thank you. I am using Tumeric and tart cherry to help ( found here I believe).

Luckily I sleep well. I agree my body has been through a lot. We all have.

Yes one day at a time. 🙂

Thank you for sharing. I know that admitting emotional "out of controlness" is scary . I have been on Letrozole for 4 months and have spontaneous anxiety attacks and strong mood swings, sometimes, seemingly unrelated to anything at all. I have talked with my loved ones- apologizing in advance for my spontaneous swings. I practice care and grounding through yoga, other forms of exercise, art therapy, meditation- the list goes on. It doesn't stop them from happening but dulls my responsiveness to it. And I remind myself that the chemical changes in my body are not "me"- they are just that- chemical responses. I feel you sister.

Just be careful about turmeric if you take an aromatase inhibitor , ask your oncologist because I think they can decrease the effect of anastrazole..

I was diagnosed with Stage 1a-b breast cancer in 2020. I had a lumpectomy, a second surgery to clear the margins, 16 rounds of radiation and then started to take anastrozole which was the most difficult part of my treatment. The side effects, which were from head to toe, resulted in a very poor quality of life. I can definitely relate to your anxiety. I was severely depressed. My oncologist, at the time, did not acknowledge any of my symptoms as being caused by anastrozole. Sadly, this seems to be a common complaint on this forum. At the only appointment my husband was able to attend because of covid, he told the doctor that the medicine had changed my whole personality. I was aware that I had not been myself, but his comment summed it up for me. He was always more than patient with me but was trying to impress upon the doctor that the medicine was indeed having an extremely negative effect on me. I decided to stop taking the medicine after about 2 1/2 months. The side effects subsided. I also started walking which I have continued to do every day for over 3 years.
I know that I am fortunate that my Stage 1 cancer was discovered early, and my chances of recurrence are lower than many others. I would never suggest that anyone not try to take an aromatase inhibitor. These medicines affectCs everyone differently and you can always stop. We each have to make decisions based on many factors - stage of cancer, age, other health issues, family situation, etc. However, it is our decision to make. There will always be a part of me that wonders if I made the right decision.
I hope this input is helpful. I wish you all best of luck in your treatment and good health in the years to come.