Completed 5 years of anastrozole. Withdrawal symptoms? Side effects?

Good for you. “Qualify”.
Verzenio is about $2500 a month.
Years ago I had 13 nodes out of 23.
Did the chemo, dble mastectomy and radiation, while taking exemestane AFTER I dropped letrozole.
I was in clinical remission for 10 years.
Im Glad Verzenio wasnt on the market then as I probably would've refused it.

However,
10 years later, Im back with breast cancer.
I firmly believe, EXTREME STRESS awakened a breast cancer cell in me while having a very painful bout of gastritis ( EXTREME STRESS the catalyst) as it showed up in an endiscooy in my stomach lining.
I left my previous oncologist due to personal differences.
I am now reluctantly on verzenio and faslodex.
However, On the plus side, my new oncologist has incredible credentials, a Masters in Physiology, Phd in Pharmacology, Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine, completed his residency in internal medicine, and completed a combined oncology/hematology fellowship at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and is a remarkable person. I trust his judgement in spite of my concern.
I was led to him by a dear friend.
I have confidence in his decisions and even tho I can easily talk with him as I could my other onc, I feel he has a better edge on treatment and Hearing me.
FYI: Ive learned a lot about both oncs by reading my charts AFTER I have had a visit with them.
I STRONGLY mention this because few patents actually take the time to READ their charts.
By reading your chart, the drs notes, You will learn:
more about you,
more about your dr,
and
will get a glimpse of how THEY perceive YOU.
You may not like what you read, but it may give you reason for reconsidering your choice.
I will end here. I hope this helps.
Cheering you all on for better health.
❤️❤️❤️🌺🌺🌺

I quit taking 6 months ago Anastrozole after taking it for 5 years. Now I believe I am getting an autoimmune disorder. My PCP will not listen to my symptoms. I have Auricular hardening, nodules on my finger joints and on other areas of my body, sensitivity to sunlight, Tachycardia if I am outside when it is over 80 degrees, lesions in nostrils on and off, white fingernails, my arches in my feet collapse and are painful if I am on them too long each day and I was just diagnosed with Diabetes. I have severely dry eyes per my Ophthalmologist. I have a severely dry vagina per my OB GYN doctor. My scalp is very dry and flakey, and my hair is falling out. I just developed Atherosclerosis of the Coronary artery. I also have osteopenia and have stress incontinence and have to urinate every hour. I have some fatigue. You're not alone.

I just went off Letrazole after being on it for almost ten years. I'm having hot flashes and am cranky and now sad. It seems like menopause all over again! I wonder if anyone else has experienced this.

I am hoping you will get through this transition period soon. I did age more quickly than my peers because of years of endocrine therapy. I also feel like the year i finished, that accelerated a bit. Like you, the “sad” was a real problem. I attributed that to circumstances but looking back, it did get better after a period.
Please talk to your doctor about this, our primary care folks just don’t get it and after a while my oncologist just didn’t either. Sadly unless they have been through it, I don’t believe they can. It isn’t because they don’t care, they just don’t see it.
Are you seeing your oncologist again anytime soon? How are you dealing with the sadness?

I see my oncologist this week. I'm sure she will not really "get it" but today is better and I'm hoping each day improves as I adjust.

@ebtexas55

What heart symptoms developed on Exemestane?

Did you have prior heart issues?

I wrote that in 2024. I had no heart issues before exemestane. Long story short.. in 2021 or 2022 i went to the ER. I was told i had either had passed a blood clot or had an arterial spasm. Cardiologist didnt know. He asked me if exemestane was a prothrombotic. I didnt know.
I took myself off exemestane because i didnt know what caused the heart episode neither did the docs.

Since April2025, im now back on exemestane.
However, since my heart episode in 2021/22, i immediately got off coffee and caffine.
Ive not had any heart incidents to attribute to exemestane but now, I do have afib randomly, but that started PRIOR to me going back on exemestane.

I finished 5 years on Aug 24. No withdrawal but it is taking time to feel like I am not on it anymore. A lot of fatigue but I had terrible sleep for 5 years. So I think this is going to take time.

I appreciate your comments. I have felt fatigue on anastrazole and still 4 weeks after stopping (finished 5 years). Each year fatigue got a little worse and I too just do what I need to do. I am still able to strength training 3x a week and push myself but rest when I feel.like doing nothing much. I have been assured that the fatigue will get much better but to set realistic expectations because it can take months for your body to readjust. Patience is hard but I trust my oncologist!

Hi, would you be able to give me the website for the message board in the UK?
Thank you!