Anastrozole...has anyone had an increase in glucose or cholesterol

Hi

Hope you are doing OK....
I am on letrozole too, to shrink a 6cm tumour .....what size was yours and how long before u notice a change in size?

Kindest regards and best wishes Barbara

Hi, Barbara, I was on Anastrozole & then Letrozole since last September.....well, for 4 months before my blood pressure really went wacky & I developed Labile hypertension. I quit the pills, & the Doc one month later put me on Fulvestrant shots, another type of hormone blocker that seems to impact hypertension less. So just had my 3rd month of shots last week. I did get little "twinges," like pokes within my chest wall right where the tumor was. I'm thinking this was the shrinking going on, though Doc can't say it was for sure. So that's about 8-9 months of some kind of hormone blocker. Initially my tumor was 9cm long, and now it's 3cm, seen on a breast MRI. Not sure which med had the best effect.
Best wishes for a reduction for you too!
Patty

Yes after 14 months on Anastrozole I have raised cholesterol and BP. One thing surprising me is how many doctors seem to know nothing or very little about this class of drugs which are widely used! I have found myself on more than one occasion ‘ filling in the blanks’ for them.

My feelings exactly! Good luck in your journey. 😘

Many, many thanks for all your replies REALLY APPRECIATED!! This cancer "journey" is so scary and sometimes I feel disconnected from the worry of it all....and then days later get rudely reminded by sudden sharp pang in my breast......hopefully that is the Letrrozole doing it's thing.... Lots of love to all xxxx

I know it made my cataracts grow faster. At the end of the 5 years - I needed cataract surgery at age 68.

My cholesterol was not being followed as far as I know until my PCP said she will be testing for that last mo.
It was 127 that is considered in the abnormal range (low side of abnormal) I do not eat red meat, bacon , or fried foods except in a very rare instance . I eat about 6-8 eggs a month.
I think I want to ask about changing from Anastrozole to Letrozole? (been taking a half dose for 16 mos) met Bone tumor has not changed. only recently (3+ mos ago) have had some noticeable side affects which are very concerning: more intermittent blury vision , and this trigger thumb that I worked on a bit with castor oil and stretching . It's almost like w/ lower estrogen aging in some areas are speeded up?

Agree about having to "Fill in the blanks" for oncologists & or sometimes have gotten a very "que sera sera" what ever will be will be communication. I understand that they are under a hospital system that has parameters, so there is no choice as far as I can see, but to collect as much info as possible about research, actual side effects & rates of yr particlular BC and adjunctive approaches though diet & exercise,etc...

@rococo325
I just got Anastrozole prescribed to me. I am only 95 lbs, very petite and very sensitive to medications. Letrozole and Exemestane were too strong for me. When you took half dose, did you cut the 1 mg pill or take every other day?
I'd like to take a half dose.
Thanks for your help,
Brightlight66

@brightlight66

Hi Brightlight,
I cut the pill and take it at bed time then around late morning after I've eaten.
As for when to take it , I think there are some guidelines , I'm just sort of blurry on
what they are at moment so you can look into that for yrself, but I do just break it up in a 24 hr pd every other day, cuz for me I'm very sensitive to meds and am only 5' but have some nagging fat so I am 117lbs. So you are definitely a small volume person. I hope the best for you!