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Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Posted by tinalove @tinalove, Jan 31, 2016

I completed all treatments for breast cancer but now I am supposed to take hormone blocker, named anastrozole. im concerned about the side effects. Has anyone here taken it and did anyone have hair loss?

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sunflowerqld | @sunflowerqld | 2 days ago

I have been taking Anastrozole for 4 years… following a double mastectomy for stage 3 cancer. The first brand I took had few side effects, but then it became unavailable so I had to change to a different brand. The fillers appear to cause the different side effects. I didn’t even know what fillers were!
Fortunately, my original ones are available again so I’m back on them. One year to go!!! Counting down the days.

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katrina123 | @katrina123 | 2 days ago
In reply to @1aug2allis "@katrina123 Like you I had estrogen positive cancer this summer and had a lumpectomy. I refused..." + (show)
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@katrina123
Like you I had estrogen positive cancer this summer and had a lumpectomy. I refused the radiation since my surgeon said all the margins were clear. Oncologist recommended it. I hope I won't be sorry later, but I didn't feel the need to go through it. To me it just seemed like they do it as a just in case they didn't get all the cancer. I was put on Anastrozole 1mg, but after 3 weeks I have decided to stop because of the side effects. I am a little worried doing that after reading that some of you had recurrence 4 years later. I don't drink, don't smoke and eat pretty healthy. Hoping that will keep me from getting it, but I may be totally wrong. I am willing to take that chance just so I can feel myself again and enjoy each day.

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@1aug2allis

Maybe you should look up the statistics on having radiation versus not having radiation.

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kal25 | @kal25 | 2 days ago
In reply to @kal25 "I did have some hair fall at the start of taking Anastrozole. I use some special..." + (show)
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I did have some hair fall at the start of taking Anastrozole. I use some special shampoo. I was already on Minoxidil pills and I added the minoxidil foam several times a week. My hair did return to the same level as before starting the medicine. At 20 months I had many many side effects and Terrible pain. My doctor changed me to Exemestane and I’m having less side effects. Starting the new medicine I again I’m having some hair fall, but I feel like if I do the same thing that my hair will rebound again. Good luck in your journey, everybody’s is different.

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@kal25 - I forgot to say that Exeemestane does make me run warm and can overheat easily. These are not heat flushes, but just running warm all the time.

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debdeb1 | @debdeb1 | 1 day ago

I have been taking over year and just minor hot flashes but I make sure to exercise every day and try to eat better. Cut out most meat but sweets are hard to give up

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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | 13 hours ago

I took anastrozole for about 11 months. My side effects were severe joint pain, hot flashes, insomnia, and it sucks all the moisture from you body: Dry skin, dry hair, dry vagina, severe constipation. I could tolerate all of these - until the joint pain in my hands, shoulders & toes - drove me to quit my hobby (quilting) & I asked the doctor for a drug change. After consulting with a rheumatologist to make sure my hands were not arthritis (it wasn't) - she finally changed me at about 11 months. I mean I had to threaten to quit taking the AI drug altogether. I went on Exemestane instead. It took about 3 to 4 months - but the pain left my hands (from a 7 to about a 1). I did stick out the full 5 years - but they wanted me to take it for another 5, which I declined to do. Within 1 week, my constipation was gone. Gradually the other symptoms were better. I still get insomnia. I guess what I learned is each person can have different reactions to each drug. What works for some, may not work for others. Good luck & I'm hoping you can find a drug that works for you. I'm 8 years out now & doing well.

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