1. < Breast Cancer

Anastrozole experience: Any tips for managing side effects?

Posted by jessicanell @jessicanell, Sep 21, 2023

I’m about to start at 52. I don’t know if I’m in menopause bc I took hrt before being diagnosed w early stage bc. My labs say I am. And since stopping hrt no periods.

I hear about all the menopause symptoms it comes with including joint pain. Do any of you find it ok?

I heard Claritin can help w joint pain. Any other tips?

I’m getting a bone density scan before starting. Tell me your experiences please 🙏

Thank you

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reflector75 | @reflector75 | 5 days ago
In reply to @lifetraveler "Hi! @reflector75 : Yes, my body developed "reactions" to taking Anastrozole, because apparently my old body..." + (show)
@lifetraveler

Hi! @reflector75 :

Yes, my body developed "reactions" to taking Anastrozole, because apparently my old body still needs hormones to function adequately. However, I decided to continue taking Anastrozole because my cancerous cells were ER95%+, PR+, and Her2-, and taking any AIs is the avenue for me to keep those hormone-fueled cancerous cells from popping up anywhere in my body:(. Fortunately for me, my excellent & kind-hearted PCP referred me to the "Cancer patients' rehab program" for me to strengthen my weakened back, muscles, bones, aching joints, etc., via persistent PT/OT sessions and gradually I function almost normally now. This is not an ideal process, but this is the journey we are in, that we simply need to strive forward.

Best wishes to you all for a healthier, happier year of 2025 with hope, love, and peace!

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Thank you and hope your journey continues to go well.

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kimogi57 | @kimogi57 | 5 days ago
In reply to @reflector75 "I was fine on Anastrozole for first ten weeks or so ,just the odd hot flush...." + (show)
@reflector75

I was fine on Anastrozole for first ten weeks or so ,just the odd hot flush. At about ten weeks so much back pain and bladder effects I could hardly walk. I’m a person to whom a five mile walk is just ‘ a little stroll ‘ usually. Advised by oncologist to take a break from it after four and a half months. Also given nuclear med scan as symptoms were so severe. Have recommenced three and half months ago currently not so much bone pain but really bad myalgia avian really impacting mobility. Also bad swings of mood and weepiness which it’s impossible to batten down. Hoping with perseverance that things will improve.Does Antone else have similar experiences and did this get better?

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I had pain in my feet, knees, hips and occasionally my back. My mood swings were horrible and I was really mean to those I love most. The brain fog had me hoping I wasn't getting dementia and the insomnia was pretty bad. My Dr and I came to the conclusion that the meds were recommended, but because my ILC was small and slow growing and I had DMX it was OK to stop the meds. I hope we made the right decision. My ILC was 100% fed by estrogen and progesterone

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1 reply
cancerjm | @cancerjm | 5 days ago
In reply to @kimogi57 "I had pain in my feet, knees, hips and occasionally my back. My mood swings were..." + (show)
@kimogi57

I had pain in my feet, knees, hips and occasionally my back. My mood swings were horrible and I was really mean to those I love most. The brain fog had me hoping I wasn't getting dementia and the insomnia was pretty bad. My Dr and I came to the conclusion that the meds were recommended, but because my ILC was small and slow growing and I had DMX it was OK to stop the meds. I hope we made the right decision. My ILC was 100% fed by estrogen and progesterone

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First, I'm sorry for all you are feeling. I've been going thru menopause for what seems a lifetime ever since a medically needed hysterectomy 30 years ago! I just started Anastrozole and if what you are experiencing is what I have to look for, I'll be asking to be removed from that quickly. I'm 72 yrs old and just had lumpectomy in Sept 2024 and started radiation in Nov 2024 and just Rang the Bell after 21 treatments on New Years Eve! Amen! You can be put on something less strong. My understanding is that Anastrozole is a good 50% for non-recurrence but there are 2 others below that one that can be tried hopefully with less side effects for you. Good luck my friend!

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celestebradham | @celestebradham | 4 days ago
In reply to @reflector75 "I was fine on Anastrozole for first ten weeks or so ,just the odd hot flush...." + (show)
@reflector75

I was fine on Anastrozole for first ten weeks or so ,just the odd hot flush. At about ten weeks so much back pain and bladder effects I could hardly walk. I’m a person to whom a five mile walk is just ‘ a little stroll ‘ usually. Advised by oncologist to take a break from it after four and a half months. Also given nuclear med scan as symptoms were so severe. Have recommenced three and half months ago currently not so much bone pain but really bad myalgia avian really impacting mobility. Also bad swings of mood and weepiness which it’s impossible to batten down. Hoping with perseverance that things will improve.Does Antone else have similar experiences and did this get better?

Jump to this post

Anastrozole did not agree with me at all. I took about a month break from it and about but to myself. Then I started Exemestane- for me, fewer side effects but I also started yoga, pranayama and acupuncture. I am 62 and I’m good with my “new” normal. I just had my annual mammogram and sonogram and they were clear .

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marshgirl24 | @marshgirl24 | 4 days ago
In reply to @auntieoakley "Gosh, I would really love to steer you towards another discussion where there are hundreds of..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

Gosh, I would really love to steer you towards another discussion where there are hundreds of comments or hundreds of pages of comments. In reviewing a few of those conversations, I decided against it because there is so much negativity. Unfortunately the people who manage their side effects well, or have very few or no side effects are hardly ever the people posting. There is also many more people taking this drug than you will ever see in a forum.
Remember this is a cancer fighting drug, and you and your doctor should make this decision based on what is best for YOU.
I took it for 10 years, I managed my side effects, walking for joint stiffness, and fans for the hot flashes. I do try to have a sense of humor about it 🥵🥵. I will never have to look back and say I didn’t do everything I could to stop this cancer.
I hope you will be willing to try it, if you and your doctor decide it is best. If you have been on HRT, you will likely feel a few menopause related effects.
About those discussions I mentioned, if you want to read them, just scroll up and click on the little “< breast cancer” top left and use the search for Anastrazole.

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@auntieoakley Thank you for chiming in on this! I just started taking this med and reading so many bad side effects is real downer (although I realize that if you are experiencing these, hearing from others helps.) I am a walker with a new bike so I'm hoping I don't have really bad symptoms from ana.... Doing a trial run on different meds is no picnic.

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LisaY1 | @lisay1 | 1 day ago

I've been taking Anastarzole for a little over 3 years. I'm 60 years old currently. I do have a lot of hot flashes with it but only "at that time of the month". My Oncologist recommended Clonidine Tabs 0.1 mg before bedtime to help with the night sweats. Not sure if anyone else has those. Also, not a pill pusher but when I was first diagnosed with cancer I had difficulty falling asleep. My Doctor recommended Trazodone. I take 1/2 tab if needed and within 15 minutes I am sound asleep. Every individual is different. I am just offering what was suggested and worked for me.
Best wishes! 🌺

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reflector75 | @reflector75 | 1 day ago
In reply to @lifetraveler "Hi! @reflector75 : Yes, my body developed "reactions" to taking Anastrozole, because apparently my old body..." + (show)
@lifetraveler

Hi! @reflector75 :

Yes, my body developed "reactions" to taking Anastrozole, because apparently my old body still needs hormones to function adequately. However, I decided to continue taking Anastrozole because my cancerous cells were ER95%+, PR+, and Her2-, and taking any AIs is the avenue for me to keep those hormone-fueled cancerous cells from popping up anywhere in my body:(. Fortunately for me, my excellent & kind-hearted PCP referred me to the "Cancer patients' rehab program" for me to strengthen my weakened back, muscles, bones, aching joints, etc., via persistent PT/OT sessions and gradually I function almost normally now. This is not an ideal process, but this is the journey we are in, that we simply need to strive forward.

Best wishes to you all for a healthier, happier year of 2025 with hope, love, and peace!

Jump to this post

Thank you for your comments - it helps to know that it isn’t just all in my imagination . Wishing us all strength and improving times.

REPLY
girlsfly | @girlsfly | 8 hours ago

I am a 52 yo female that had early stage 1 ER+ invasive lobular breast cancer on the right, tumor size 3mm, no lymph node involvement . Just went menopausal within the last year, found out I was in menopause after cancer surgery and blood tests. Left side they are going to watch at this time as the spot is just a little dot. I started to take anastrozole at the end of September, did a lot of research before. Now, I don't even like taking excedrin or ibuprofen if I do not have to. Up until radiation before the holidays, I had minor side effects, but they were controllable with diet and exercise. I could not eat chips, very oily, fried foods, or ultra processed foods anymore, they would also upset my stomach and cause the other side effects. I would feel more stiffness, swelling, sluggish, fatigue. I did not eat much of them to begin with, so cutting it all out was easier for me. I just avoided those foods and was fine. I do not drink very much but I had a glass of wine and noticed that it popped up hot flashes for me. I started eating the mediterranean style diet. I decided at the end of my radiation before Thanksgiving while I was healing, that I was going to cheat some to see what happens, I started cheating the 2nd week of December, perfect for the holidays too, lol. There was a significant uptick in hot flashes, stiffness, feeling tired. So now, 2 weeks after the holidays starting after Xmas, I have been working out and back to the mediterannean diet, I am feeling better, and very minimal on the side effects. I will post another update at the end of Feb. 2025. I also did a dexa scan with the very beginning stages of osteopenia. I am looking at and researching the prescription device approved by the fda to help significantly reduce osteoporosis progression as I age on anastrozole. The doctor stated to also take 1200 mg calcium and 8000 iu vitamin D, and magnesium supplement as well, split it morning and night. I am also taking multivitamins, joint support supps, omegas.
My mindset is, I will not let this control me! I will control it!
God bless all and I hope this helps you.

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srkellen | @srkellen | 7 hours ago

I'm 70. Had mastectomy for IDC that is Er+. Just statrted Anastrozole yesterday and wondering if you experienced side effects when did they start? Best wishes to all of you!!

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