Anastrazole and anxiety

Posted by momandrph048 @momandrph048, Jun 14, 2023

Has anyone else taking an aromatase inhibitor been dealing with crying very easily, and anxiety that comes out of nowhere?? It doesn’t seem to be related to anything, it just appears out of the blue.. My oncologist has me on Effexor, but it doesn’t seem to be doing that much and I really don’t want to increase my dose.. Can anyone share a similar story? Counseling isn’t really for me, I just need to deal with it on my own, and I really feel that the medication is the reason for it.. Mostly because my dr had me stop it for a couple weeks due to joint pain and everything got better.. Thanks for your input!

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

I also want to mention that if you are on generic AI like most of us for ins purposes try to stay with same generic brand. I take Accord generic manufacturer for Letrozole. CVS often gives me ones made by Teva as refill but I ask to fund Accord as many of the fillers change!

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@flatland

It’s really great to read about everyone’s experiences. I have just started taking this med, after chemo, a lumpectomy and radiation. I have triple positive ductal carcinoma, with no cancer currently. But five years of this drug? I think my side effects are so far minimal, but my sleep is disrupted and ly lower legs ache.

Has anyone just stopped taking the drug? Any thoughts? Good luck everyone!

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Hello,
I am on Anastrazole for estrogen fed breast cancer. Have had similiat symptoms as i read here... and now have osteoporosis as well. I am so vefy upset with the Big Pharma and all these drugs they push down your throat for your sake... there has go be a better way...

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@sally484

I have been on two of the AI's thinking if I switched, the next one would make me less anxious. The first one was Anastrozole, I was quick to anger or touchy most of the time. Now, I'm on Exemestane............same thing. They all mess with your hormones so I guess it's to be expected.

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I’m so glad to hear someone else has problems with becoming angry very quickly-almost out of the blue. It was very frightening because I became angry so quickly to the point of shouting. I pray for all of us for this to end and return to good health-physically and mentally.

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I had bilateral breast cancer, Stage 1a ILC and IDC. I had a bilateral mastectomy, no chemo, no radiation. After a decision to have a hysterectomy, I was placed on Anastrozole. I had taken Tamoxifen which caused a increase in liver enzymes. Anastrozole has been tolerable, but does cause some fatigue, hot flashes, mild joint pain in index finger and knees. I too have had some mild depression with anxiety and occasional crying spell. Never had this in my life. I have been on this drug for 1 year now. I started tracking my symptoms in January (2024) after roughly 6 months of the drug. I have found that following a strict diet, low sugar and carbs and fats, as well as working out each day for an hour helps a lot. I continue on this medicine as I was HR+ positive for estrogen and progesterone with strong staining. Oncologist believes it helps people like me. Take care of yourself and follow your symptoms, you might find triggers as I did. I am doing better understanding the triggers or times that cause me to experience greater problems. Best of luck to you. You've got this.

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@brightside21

Hi, I've taken Tamoxofen, Letrozole & Anasrozole.
Have ER positive cancer so have to take them.
All these drugs have caused me very severe side effects.
Tamoxifen was the worse for me affecting my vision & caused yellowing, had constant migraines & felt totally disoriented, exhausted & very ill.
My Consultant stopped me taking them as suppected liver probs too. All symptoms stopped when NOT taking the Tamoxifen.
Next, given Anastrazole I had all menopause issues, C.fatugue was off the scales & lack of concentration & cognition & depression, I had to stop driving as I couldn't concentrate. I asked to stop as I felt awful, I had a 2 week break & ALL side effects went.
Next was put on Lansoprazole & this was dreadful too. All the same issues plus sickness, diarrhea & acid reflux. Again I stopped & side effects went.
I was told I have to be on these drugs for min of 5 years My consultant & doctors then said to try the original Brand of Letrozole ( Femora) as I had no choices, so far this has been better.
I'm still on these but I have very bad cognitive funtion, my brain feels like early stage dementia, I have still have poor concentration & extreme fatigue still, tend to bump in to things & have minor falls as my spacial awareness is bad with the extreme fatigue.
I'm very soon seeing another consultant for a 2nd opinion. I've no life on any of these drugs & want to know my % risk of recurrent cancer or spreaf if I stop taking these drugs.
Life's hard with cancer but these drugs make it far worse.
I want quality of life over quantity.
Is there anyone else who feels like me ???
I really feel these drugs are diminishing my brain cells in some way. I'm very worried.
There appears to be little research information available regarding this.
We need a better drug asap.

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Hi bright side, I am supposed to start taking one form or another of these drugs for the next five years. My first exposure disrupted my sleep, and made my bones ache.

I too need to know about my odds without the meds.
Good luck to you.

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@cberge67

Thank you all for sharing your journey.
Today is day one of taking Anastrozole and your experience has been very helpful. I’m trying not to overthink the situation but it is a challenge to keep looking forward.
Im trying to figure out what time of day will work best.
Thanks again!

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I was tired often, and I read here the medicine does that. I changed taking Anastrozole compound from morning to night time and it has worked out so much better. I also am having trouble with lymphedema so I was waking up quite often and the change lets me feel more rested. I am having a problem with weight, but am unaware of any other medicine form that can be compounded. If anyone knows of any, please advise.

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I find this post helpful - began Anastrozole end Feb 24. This describes my emotional symptoms exactly - now feel I’m not alone or going mad. Due to very severe back /hip pain had break from it from mid July - mid Sept, now recommenced but symptoms not so severe ( or not yet!) weepiness etc not quite so hard to control as previously but still an unpredictable factor. Thank you for this post - gives me hope!

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@jaynep

I’m so glad to hear someone else has problems with becoming angry very quickly-almost out of the blue. It was very frightening because I became angry so quickly to the point of shouting. I pray for all of us for this to end and return to good health-physically and mentally.

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I had the same outbursts with Anestrozole. I was so mean. I've always been known as being too nice. My hips, feet and legs hurt. I tried every other day but my side effects were the same. I quit it for over a month and my life went back to normal!! Now I am on the AI that starts with an E. I am full of anxiety. It's such an awful feeling. I can't remember anything and I'm afraid I'm getting dementia. In the back of my mind I know it's the meds because I've only been taking it about 1 month. I can't sleep more tha 4-5 hrs per night because of the anxiety. I always feel as though I've drank 10 cups of coffee. Exemestane is the medication. I may just stop. My ILC was caught early and I insisted on a dbl mastectomy. No lymph node involvement. I wish we didn't have to go through this. Hugs to all

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I was on it for 2 years and it has given me back pain and damage to my back, that will never b sorted. I started exemestane a year ago last July 2023, and a month ago I stopped taking it. I’m
On hols in Spain and I’ve ever felt so well!! The Exemestane was affecting my breathing and I could hardly walk without sitting down every so often. I sometimes have to sit down but not as bad as I was on exemestane. All of these meds cause dude effects and it’s up to you, not an oncologist or doctor, to decide what us the best for you. Best of luck 🇮🇪

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@mjeang

Hello,
I am on Anastrazole for estrogen fed breast cancer. Have had similiat symptoms as i read here... and now have osteoporosis as well. I am so vefy upset with the Big Pharma and all these drugs they push down your throat for your sake... there has go be a better way...

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I Eason Anastrozole for 2 years and it has done untold damage to my back and joints, but particularly my back. I was put on exemestane a year ago, july 2023, and stopped taking it a few weeks ago. I’ve felt so well as I do, now. I can walk without loosing g my breath. I still need to sit down for a minute when I’m walking but I’m in such a better place. I only recently discovered that exemestane causes heart problems.. hence my shortness of breath. I’m not saying you or anyone on here shoukd do what I’ve done but my quality of life on these meds, was literally, no life. Best of Irish luck. 🇮🇪🇮🇪

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