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Foot pain with Anastrozole?

Posted by lhwoz @lhwoz, Oct 17, 2023

Hello all-
I have read on this topic from posts that were from 4-5 years ago but looking for your experience from more recently.

I am 56 and on month 6 of Anastrozole. I had ILC stage 1/2 with lumpectomy/re excision and a course of radiation.

I have alwasy been very active as a lifestyle, hiking, gym, Orangetheory etc. Hike all over zion/Bryce Canyon in early May when radiation done to celebrate and remind myself if who I am and will be.

Since Aug I have had some achilles tenderness but more debilitating is crazy foot/heel pain especially in the am or when I get up from sitting/non movement. I have been attributing it to achilles tendinitis(self diagnosis 🙁 ) but I am finally thinking this is the anastrozole? I literally walk /hobble when I am first out of bed. I have some hand pain also but it feels just more like arthritic/tightness and not as noticeable/not affecting daily activities or exercise. Knees also feel out of sorts but I've had that here and there prior to this.

Can anyone share their experience with the foot /heel situation? Should I try a different AI or will this subside?

Much love and support to you all!

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justabumpintheroad | @justabumpintheroad | Oct 23, 2025
In reply to @npandolph "I’m joining the comments on foot and calf pain from Anastrozole. Worse on the others aromatase..." + (show)
Profile picture for npandolph @npandolph

I’m joining the comments on foot and calf pain from Anastrozole. Worse on the others aromatase inhibitors for me and I tried them all. Diagnosed with bilateral Achilles tendinitis did some physical therapy. May do more. Good to keep active.
Also have elbow tendinitis.

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@npandolph I am also on anastrozole. I wasn't sure to attribute my morning foot pain to the medication. I also shuffle around for the first ~5 minutes. Then the pain just goes away!!! I am an avid walker (6-15 miles a day).

I can live with this brief pain vs the alternative of cancer returning!!

I also have issues with my jaw…wonder if that is also the anastrozole??

As a side, I do take gabapentin,

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biddle1267 | @biddle1267 | Oct 23, 2025
In reply to @deb23 "I know the original post is old, but maybe more info will help someone. Yes, I..." + (show)
Profile picture for deb23 @deb23

I know the original post is old, but maybe more info will help someone.

Yes, I had similar foot pain, especially when standing up after non-movement. I would hobble to the bathroom in the AM, felt like my ankles wouldn't bend and bottoms of feet were sore. But once I walked a few min, it cleared up (mostly). This started after a year or so on Anastrozole for me, before that the pain had been in my hips, knees ... it's like it worked its way down. I've been on Anastrozole for 2 yrs now, and don't have too many aches anymore, but my feet are still tender in the AM. I'm a walker and put in several miles a day, do tai chi, try to stretch whenever I think about it (not enough), but I stay active ... any and all movement helps the situation.

When I brought up the foot/ankle pain to my Onc, he suggested I see an orthopedist. What??? I was just reporting symptoms, as he asked me to. He said no, AI doesn't cause that. I said - but I had NO foot pain before in my life. He said - coincidence.

Of course I do not believe him for a minute. He has never taken it. It is the anastrozole.

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@deb23

I was on Anastrozole for 5 months before the pain occurred in my fingers, similar to what you have with your feet. If I don't keep moving them they freeze up. It's been 8 weeks since I stopped Anastrozole and still am having pain in the fingers. I was put on Exemestane which started to cause my toes to freeze up like my fingers. I have stopped taking that and am meeting my oncologist this coming week.

For me, right now, I don't want to have each day ruined by pain. I don't know if I want to start anything else when it causes such strong side effects. Life is so short and I want to enjoy each day. I'm 71 and want to enjoy time spent with my husband, dogs and my yard work.

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oregonmbcsurvives | @oregonmbcsurvives | Oct 23, 2025

I'm a male bc survivor on anastrozole and have been on it for almost a year. The same type of foot pain started a few weeks ago. My oncologist thought it was a typical side effect. Exercise and more suportive slippers have brought relief.

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lhwoz | @lhwoz | Oct 23, 2025
In reply to @oregonmbcsurvives "I'm a male bc survivor on anastrozole and have been on it for almost a year...." + (show)
Profile picture for oregonmbcsurvives @oregonmbcsurvives

I'm a male bc survivor on anastrozole and have been on it for almost a year. The same type of foot pain started a few weeks ago. My oncologist thought it was a typical side effect. Exercise and more suportive slippers have brought relief.

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@oregonmbcsurvives
Hope it subsides for you and glad you are getting some relief. I am also happy to hear you MD acknowledge the side effect bc isms disheartening to hear them dismiss it as some coincidence. I am not sure why mine had completely gone away (although it did before then returned) except to say that its possibly due to my switch to Letrozole after a year on Anastrazole 🤷‍♀️

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lifetraveler | @lifetraveler | Oct 24, 2025
In reply to @wendysiegler "Similar issues with foot pain in the early morning, but it subsides very quickly. I did..." + (show)
Profile picture for wendysiegler @wendysiegler

Similar issues with foot pain in the early morning, but it subsides very quickly. I did develop trigger thumb and after using a brace for a couple of months on my hand at night, it seemed to resolve however, I would find that if I didn’t use the brace after a few days it would come back. Joint pain in my left knee had gotten to the point of a lot of discomfort, and I entered into some additional physical therapy. I am very active and have been for most of my life maintaining a pretty strong Workout schedule. I also watch my diet. I am on annastrozole and this is my second year on the medication. In May at about the 20 month point I requested a change in manufacturer and have been amazed by the improvement in my symptoms. I no longer have the knee pain, hot flashes have really subsided, And my trigger thumb has completely gone away with no use of the hand brace anymore. Sometimes they say the fillers in medications can be part of the problem.

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@wendysiegler :

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful experience! I am so glad you've found the specific annastrozole that is good for you:)

Could you please let us know which manufacturer that you've switched to?

Thanks!

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wendysiegler | @wendysiegler | Oct 24, 2025
In reply to @lifetraveler "@wendysiegler : Thanks for sharing such a wonderful experience! I am so glad you've found the..." + (show)
Profile picture for lifetraveler @lifetraveler

@wendysiegler :

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful experience! I am so glad you've found the specific annastrozole that is good for you:)

Could you please let us know which manufacturer that you've switched to?

Thanks!

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@lifetraveler

I am currently on Accord. I switched to this from Aurbindino.

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lifetraveler | @lifetraveler | Oct 24, 2025
In reply to @wendysiegler "@lifetraveler I am currently on Accord. I switched to this from Aurbindino." + (show)
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@lifetraveler

I am currently on Accord. I switched to this from Aurbindino.

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@wendysiegler :

Thanks again!

Better journey ahead to everyone on this journey!

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roses2 | @roses2 | Oct 27, 2025

My doctor recently prescribed Ansastrozole. I picked up the medication but did not start taking it. I asked my naturopath, and she advised against taking it. It weakens our bones, gives us hot flashes and night sweats, and has so many other side effects. She is sending me out for several tests to determine what the best fit is for me. If these meds cause side effects that make life more difficult, I may choose not to take anything. I am a strong believer in God healing us, and our bodies healing themselves. I am all for quality of life!

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lhwoz | @lhwoz | Oct 27, 2025
In reply to @roses2 "My doctor recently prescribed Ansastrozole. I picked up the medication but did not start taking it...." + (show)
Profile picture for roses2 @roses2

My doctor recently prescribed Ansastrozole. I picked up the medication but did not start taking it. I asked my naturopath, and she advised against taking it. It weakens our bones, gives us hot flashes and night sweats, and has so many other side effects. She is sending me out for several tests to determine what the best fit is for me. If these meds cause side effects that make life more difficult, I may choose not to take anything. I am a strong believer in God healing us, and our bodies healing themselves. I am all for quality of life!

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@roses2
I hear you. But did want to add that despite sharing issues that I have encountered I am living a great life. I hike, workout (a passion of mine), ebike with friends to fun outings, travel (just heading home from a NYC weekend with my husband), planning some walking Europe trips, etc. While I wish some side effects weren't the case, for me they are very manageable. Of course, everyone's scenario is different and a deeply personal choice. I feel 95% in control of my life, my joys and my ups and downs. The other 5% I attirbute to "it will be what it will be", albeit with my influenc, inputs and efforts.

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briarrose | @briarrose | Oct 28, 2025

After reading all the posts following "Foot Pain with Anastrozole?" - it is apparent to me that ALL the symptoms of pain and discomfort reported while taking any of the AI's are giving us that self described ALL pain, discomfort or any symptoms imaginable. In my mind, the AI's are always the culprit.
Very lucky and blessed for those not having any major issues taking the AI's.
It is not easy by any means.
Stay strong everyone...what a battle we must fight!

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