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When do side effects of anastrozole begin?

Posted by meomurian @meomurian, Oct 28, 2023

I will be starting my first day on anastrozole and wanted to know when I should expect to see any side effects. Also, what time of day is best to take it?

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Mentor
Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Dec 3 4:10pm
In reply to @surfergirl72 "The Oncolist said I had a 20% chance of not getting cancer again. Or a 4%..." + (show)
@surfergirl72

The Oncolist said I had a 20% chance of not getting cancer again. Or a 4% if I didn’t continue on the drug. I think it offended her I was questioning this drug. Which made me think I needed a different doctor. I wasn’t challenging her I wanted a discussion , I was asking questions about it. I’m thinking to ask for a different inhibitor and give her another shot. And see what happens. Our doctors need to be part of a team on ridding us of cancer not the only word in the discussion, not much of a discussion. And yes we always need more information!

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Yes, I agree, we really need to be able to communicate with our doctors. Check back in whenever you feel like sharing what you decide to do.

REPLY
momo03 | @momo03 | Dec 3 6:01pm

I’ve been on it since April 22, 2024. Most side effects took about two weeks: extreme fatigue and naps during the day, every other day. The horrific headache lasted three months and started the second day. Now, December, 2, 2024, no headache and fatigue is manageable since I started going to the gym three times a week.

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linda1974 | @linda1974 | Dec 4 8:36am
In reply to @surfergirl72 "The Oncolist said I had a 20% chance of not getting cancer again. Or a 4%..." + (show)
@surfergirl72

The Oncolist said I had a 20% chance of not getting cancer again. Or a 4% if I didn’t continue on the drug. I think it offended her I was questioning this drug. Which made me think I needed a different doctor. I wasn’t challenging her I wanted a discussion , I was asking questions about it. I’m thinking to ask for a different inhibitor and give her another shot. And see what happens. Our doctors need to be part of a team on ridding us of cancer not the only word in the discussion, not much of a discussion. And yes we always need more information!

Jump to this post

I've been on anastrozole since Oct 20th and have had no side effects. I'll be on it for up to 5 years. Depends how my check ups go.

REPLY
kblioce | @kblioce | Dec 4 8:48am

I’ve been on Anastrozole for 10 years. I was taking chemo when I started taking it so I can’t honestly say which was causing what side effects. Any side effect I have had from it has really not affected me too much. I know different medications affect everyone differently but my experience has been good with it. Good luck to you!!

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lizr5678 | @lizr5678 | Dec 5 9:55am

Keep reading the posts as I have found it helpful and comforting with lots of good info! I worried too when starting but nothing drastic is expected and if you think you have side effects, give your docctor a call. I am doing ok with it so far 14 months. Try the time of day convenient for you and you can change later. I now take it in the morning so the hot flashes arrive in the evening.

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rosa1935 | @rosa1935 | Dec 5 11:05am

I was on Anastrozole from august 21 till July 23. The side effects gif me were horrendous. I’ve been in exemestane July 23 to and including now but
I
Only take the medication every two days. Anastrozole did untold damage to my back and it will never b ok. Anastrozole caused me to have emotional problems, my sight deteriorated, but mainly my quality of life is gone. Changing to exemestane hadn’t helped an awful lot but I’m better on this than I was on Anastrozole. I think you should jerp an open
Mind and maybe do a journal of how you feel
On that particular medication. Best of Irish ☘️ luck to you

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judyj4321 | @judyj4321 | Dec 5 1:26pm

My lumpectomy for Stage Zero Intermediate Grade DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) was March 15, 2024. I then had on April 11, 2024, a Spinal Laminectomy on my L4-L5 for severe spinal stenosis, which I had delayed until after the breast surgery. Two weeks after completing five radiation treatments, I started taking 1 mg. Anastrozole daily on June 7th. By the time I had my final appointment with my back surgeon, I was having a lot of pain in my lower back. I continued to think that my back pain was a result of my back surgery until November 21, 2024, after my 4th appointment and three cortisone injections in my SI back joint by the pain management doctor, with no help to alleviate the pain. The excrutiating pain had to be the side effect of Anasrezole, which I stopped taking on Nov. 22, 2024. Although I still have pain in my joints, it is not as severe as it had been. There is hope that most of the joint pain will now be behind me, and I look forward to better days ahead.

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jeanmaxine | @jeanmaxine | Dec 6 1:06pm

I was on Anastrazole for 6 months and then switched to letrazole for about five. Lots of side effects from both, nausea, hot flashes, eye sight deterioration, joint pain, pain in right side,incontenience and extreme fatigue. When the emotions and quality of life got worse I stopped . Checked in with my doctor. He has offered Tamoxofin after the first of the year. It has its own problems, uterine cancer , for one, that really worries me. I am just now starting to feel better.

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