For those of us seniors who develop BC the decision to take Anastrozole is very difficult. I just started in June.
The first few weeks were fine. Now having diarrhea every day...and joint pain. My last DEXA Scan in 2023 was normal. My breast oncologist ordered another scan in September, I will be on this drug for 3 months then.
I am trying to be proactive as I can. Walking, squats, back exercises, hand weights, climbing stairs, diet high in calcium, maybe a personal trainer, and, of course, supplements. However, I am a heart patient also (ischemic disease) and coronary artery disease. A big risk factor in taking this drug, it can induce a heart attack or stroke, yet my cardiologist gave the go ahead to take Anastrozole. And calcium supplements not recommended in a woman with heart disease. Between a rock and a hard place.
sharon35981, your experiences with this drug horrific!
darlenef, I hear you loud and clear! What kind of testing did you have stating a 22% chance of BC in your lifetime? To my knowledge & maybe wrong, tamoxifen is for pre-menopausal women(??)
My story is long but I had a bilateral mastectomy with 1 positive lymph node. Oncotype testing revealed chemo would be ineffective for me and since I lost both breasts (both had cancer) radiation not needed also.
Only Anastrozole was recommended. I hope you get lots of good answers to your question, darlenef, which can help you with your decision. My breast surgeon told me that 25% of women stop the Anastrozole before the 5 year plan. All the very best...with a really tough decision.