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Do cognitive abilities return after stopping aromatase inhibitors?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Oct 12 9:32am | Replies (7)Comment receiving replies
Good Morning,
I have similar cognitive side effects as a result of taking Anastrozole daily, starting in March, 2024. Short term memory issues and in particular, spatial relations issues. I was approved by my oncologist to take a 5 week “vacation” from Anastrozole and the symptoms went away almost immediately! So that was reassuring. However I had ILC, invasive lobular carcinoma, stage 1c, diagnosed in July, 2023 and a mastectomy in January 2024 and the Anastrozole seems to be working to prevent a recurrence so I plan to stay on it. Just trying to work around the spatial and low mood symptoms best as I can. Wishing you well for the days ahead and for your decision about the medication.
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Hello @kt261 , Bravo for trying. Taking a break when things get too hard is understandable, I am glad to hear you are working with your doctors and trying to reduce your chances of more cancer. It has a nasty set of side effects too.
I also had low mood issues and the occasional episode of spatial memory problems. It does get better, and it got better well before I was finished with endocrine therapy.
Once my brain and body adjusted to having no estrogen, the side effects of the drastically changing hormones just weren’t a thing. The long term side effects of very early loss of estrogen will continue of course. Just like someone who lives a long time after menopause. The only really stubborn side effect of 15 years of endocrine therapy is the hot flashes, and in the summer months they are still pretty brutal.
Has your doctor discussed lowering doses, or on/off schedule in order to lessen these effects?