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DiscussionSevere side effects after only 7 weeks Anastrozole. Next drug?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Oct 20 1:08pm | Replies (45)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "I have taken Anastrozole for two years. Then started taking cholesterol meds Ravastatin and my muscles..."
I was put on rosuvastatin (Crestor) at the start of all this so it was difficult to determine what caused my problems - surgery, tests, stress, etc. I had severe muscle cramps, a bad episode with left knee (3 wks after surgery, tested, NOT a dvt) weakness. First chemo was horrible but then I stopped rosuvastatin and had minimal problems with next 2 infusions. Dr wanted me back on it so I did and last infusion just about killed me - actually sent to cardiology because of symptoms but I stopped rosuvastatin and most side effects went away. I won’t take another statin. Particularly with these drugs my concern is doubling up on medications with same side effects could be crippling.
I did find an article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology comparing Anastrazole and exemestane. Percent of patients with side effects were almost the same (18.6% exemestane, 18.9% anastrazole). Also anastrazole more affects bones but while exemestane does spare the bones, higher percentage with cardiac effects - atrial fib, clots and strokes. Am currently researching letrazole. The question of how to decide is difficult but because of elevated Ki 67 and positive oncotype, I do feel safer thanking an ai. But then EVERYTHING has side effects so we just have to take what we are most comfortable with.