Anastrazole and anxiety

I've been on anastrazole for over 1 month and I just stop taking because of my swollen ankles among othe effets.

They can definitely affect our quality of life. I wish there was another way to reduce our risks of relapse, sadly this is what we have now. I still believe it is better than what was available in the past, my grandmother just had to cross her fingers. Sometimes people do better on one drug than another, even a different manufacturer of the same drug will make a difference.
Did you talk to your doctor about possibly try a different endocrine therapy?

I was on Anastrozole and asked to be removed because it made me very emotional. The thing is, they all affect your hormones. Right now I am on Exemestane. Not quite as bad as the Anastrozole, but am still very emotional. I don't get alot of aches and pains that some people do though, so that's a blessing. I guess it's just a trial and error kind of thing. Best wishes to you!

I was diagnosed with Stage 1a-b breast cancer in 2020. I had a lumpectomy, a second surgery to clear the margins, 16 rounds of radiation and then started to take anastrozole which was the most difficult part of my treatment. The side effects, which were from head to toe, resulted in a very poor quality of life. I can definitely relate to your anxiety. I was severely depressed. My oncologist, at the time, did not acknowledge any of my symptoms as being caused by anastrozole. Sadly, this seems to be a common complaint on this forum. At the only appointment my husband was able to attend because of covid, he told the doctor that the medicine had changed my whole personality. I was aware that I had not been myself, but his comment summed it up for me. He was always more than patient with me but was trying to impress upon the doctor that the medicine was indeed having an extremely negative effect on me. I decided to stop taking the medicine after about 2 1/2 months. The side effects subsided. I also started walking which I have continued to do every day for over 3 years.
I know that I am fortunate that my Stage 1 cancer was discovered early, and my chances of recurrence are lower than many others. I would never suggest that anyone not try to take an aromatase inhibitor. These medicines affectCs everyone differently and you can always stop. We each have to make decisions based on many factors - stage of cancer, age, other health issues, family situation, etc. However, it is our decision to make. There will always be a part of me that wonders if I made the right decision.
I hope this input is helpful. I wish you all best of luck in your treatment and good health in the years to come.

Thank you for sharing your story. I had very early detection, a lumpectomy, and 5 rounds of radiation, with clear margins and nodes. My oncologist prescribed anastrozole, and after 3 months, I have stopped taking it. My Dr. mentioned only the weight gain. He didn't warn me about the other possible side effects. Mine in particular, became a crippling depression, not wanting to get out of bed, crying every day. My body aching so badly I can't stand up straight when I first get out of bed. I don't know if I will go back on it, but I know I can't keep going with these powerful side effects. Foggy brain, total loss of libido. And yes, weight gain. I have a follow up appt. with the Dr. in one month. I wonder if the alternative drugs are as bad? This is the first time I have been on a forum like this, and I really appreciate reading everyone's story. Thank you!

Diagnosed with ER breast cancer almost four years ago, at 38 years old. It was stage one, with no lymph node activity. I had four chemo infusions over 12 weeks. After chemo was completed, I was put on monthly Lupron injections and a daily Anastrozole pill. I did not experience many side effects of either medication until about two years ago. By the time I started experiencing side effects, I had already been taking the medications for two years. The worst side effect has been the anxiety attacks, to the point where they feel like heart attacks and I’m being rushed to the emergency room. I have had several of these now, at random times, with no explanation, over the course of two years, and it is debilitating my daily life. I have been seen by a cardiologist, and my heart is just fine. I have been seen by a neurologist, and my brain is fine. I have never really been an anxious person throughout my life, and now, I get these attack at least three times per week. My PCP has prescribed me a small-dosed Ativan as a “rescue pill,” but I don’t certainly want to have to rely on something as strong as Ativan continuously. Recently, an ER doctor brought up that it could be the Anastrozole and that with hormones being depleted and blocked, there’s nothing in my body to combat any sort of stress or adrenaline-causing situations. I don’t live a very stressful life, at all. I drink one cup of coffee per day. I don’t smoke. And I really don’t live a very exciting life. I could be sitting on the couch watching tv, and these anxiety attacks come out of nowhere. I would love to know if anyone else out there has experienced any of this with Anastrozole, and any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Very much so!

Diagnosed with ER breast cancer almost four years ago, at 38 years old. It was stage one, with no lymph node activity. I had four chemo infusions over 12 weeks. After chemo was completed, I was put on monthly Lupron injections and a daily Anastrozole pill. I did not experience many side effects of either medication until about two years ago. By the time I started experiencing side effects, I had already been taking the medications for two years. The worst side effect has been the anxiety attacks, to the point where they feel like heart attacks and I’m being rushed to the emergency room. I have had several of these now, at random times, with no explanation, over the course of two years, and it is debilitating my daily life. I have been seen by a cardiologist, and my heart is just fine. I have been seen by a neurologist, and my brain is fine. I have never really been an anxious person throughout my life, and now, I get these attack at least three times per week. My PCP has prescribed me a small-dosed Ativan as a “rescue pill,” but I don’t certainly want to have to rely on something as strong as Ativan continuously. Recently, an ER doctor brought up that it could be the Anastrozole and that with hormones being depleted and blocked, there’s nothing in my body to combat any sort of stress or adrenaline-causing situations. I don’t live a very stressful life, at all. I drink one cup of coffee per day. I don’t smoke. And I really don’t live a very exciting life. I could be sitting on the couch watching tv, and these anxiety attacks come out of nowhere. I would love to know if anyone else out there has experienced any of this with Anastrozole, and any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Very much so!