Anastrozole and bowel issues

Posted by treb68 @treb68, May 4 11:41am

Hi all. I used to be constipated before I went on anastrozole. At first I just started going every day nicely and I am on it now 6 years and I am starting to get looser stools. My GI doctor has been wanting me to try fiber and Miralax but I am afraid that it will cause diarrhea. Does anyone else issues? Also, I have some occasional nausea feeling and stomach hurts. My GERD is much worse too and I have had to increase my medications for that. Also my cholesterol is way elevated and can't seem to bring it down. Could this be from Anastrozole?

Thanks !

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tootsiemysong | @tootsiemysong | May 4 1:42pm

Yes it is ,talk to your oncologist they should be able to try something new .

treb68 | @treb68 | May 4 2:35pm

In reply to @tootsiemysong "Yes it is ,talk to your oncologist they should be able to try something new ." + (show)

Thank you very much for the advice. Appreciate it

colely | @colely | May 5 10:03am

Hello, please show your doctor the following NIH study: Potential risk of Tamoxifen: gut microbiota and inflammation in mice with breast cancer. PMID 37469407. I looked up to see if the other aromatase inhibitors also affected the gut microbiota. They all do. It talks about diet, prebiotics, and probiotics helping with the inflammation. I hope this educates your doctor and can help with other patients as well. I constantly have to do my own research to help myself. Most doctors don't seem to have the time, or will, to think outside of a narrow set of specialty information. I also want to say, I am praying that the NIH won't be financially devastated.

reflector75 | @reflector75 | May 5 10:35am

Yes I too have noticed changes, and in particular much more difficulty with GERD and existing hiatal hernia. I am also awaiting blood results taken a few days ago and suspect cholesterol may be raised when theses come through.

treb68 | @treb68 | May 5 1:11pm

In reply to @colely "Hello, please show your doctor the following NIH study: Potential risk of Tamoxifen: gut microbiota and..." + (show)

Ok that is very good information. Sometimes I think they don’t give us all the info when we get on meds.

treb68 | @treb68 | May 5 1:12pm

In reply to @reflector75 "Yes I too have noticed changes, and in particular much more difficulty with GERD and existing..." + (show)

Oh my goodness.. I hope you get good cholesterol results.
I am so hoping that when I go off this that my symptoms improve.
I was told I would only need to be on it 5 years and here it is 6 years.

ksue3 | @ksue3 | May 5 5:24pm

I do believe the AI drugs have an effect on the GI tract. I started issues with loose stools a couple of days with each chemo, then covid had the same effect. I had more problems on the Anastrozole and was changed to exemestane. Some issues continue. I went to GI Dr. He put me on Metamucil and that did help some. I was concerned it would make stools looser but that wasn't true. He said no Miralax unless constipated. Went on a modified FODMAP diet too. I am having a colonoscopy next week to rule out micro-colitis among other things. I also have a family history of colon cancer and it has been 6 years since my last scope. Dr. also went through my OTC meds and took me off a couple of those that could be a problem too. It is an issue the oncologist didn't really address as a possibility when first discussing AI's. Hope something helps you.

treb68 | @treb68 | May 6 10:11am

Geez thank you. How long have you been on AI meds?

ksue3 | @ksue3 | May 8 11:30am

I have been on AI meds since July 2024 except for a 3 week break when changing from Anastrozole to Exemestane. I am 85, but a very busy and involved person. I don't want these drugs at all but am fearful on going off. It is aging me. Hair loss is frustrating. Why weren't oncologists up front about the side effects? They don't want to scare people and there are the very fortunate women who breeze through without any side effects.