O my! What a dilemma we are in and my situation is definitely not good either.
On anastrozole 1 mg. daily since June 2025. Since then, my systolic blood pressure has never gone below 140...ranges are 140-152. The diastolic (bottom #) is good. These numbers are not severe but not me either. I am usually always below 130. During this time I have had 3 dose increases in my blood pressure medications and, so far, the increases are not bringing it down. Not to mention the low level (sometimes high) daily headache. I have also noted my platelet count is gradually decreasing. My high was 197 in June 2023 & over the past 3 months went done to 142 which is an abnormal result. My breast oncologist brushed this off...simply saying "platelet counts always fluctuate" as well as my cardiologist. He said "the numbers are OK, you don't need to see hematology".
I also have ischemic heart disease which is NOT a good thing with these AIs. Small possibility of a heart attack or stroke. My cancer was "caught early" but that's meaningless for a re-occurrence. Oncotype 14, no radiation or chemo. Bilateral mastectomy (cancer in both breasts). 1 positive lymph node out of 12. My blood pressure and headaches are my main concern. Thinking of exemestane. I am already on Claritin (cetirizine) for a year for allergies. I could live with the petechiae vs. H/A's and increased B/P. But my oncologist said "all AIs have side effects, if you want it, I can change the medication". I said "I will give it more time"...not knowing what I will experience with exemestane. Maybe I am just going in circles here...any thoughts BC support team?