Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

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.

@1aug2allis

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

@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.

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

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.

Started on Anastrazole after lumpectomy & radiation. After a week, began to weigh side effects vs benefits and quality of life for an 83 year old with existing osteoporosis, sciatica, Bone pain, depression.....is it worth it? I was well and had a positive outlook on life, don't want to lose that.

Ask your oncologist what the recurrence chance is with anastrozole and without.
After a mastectomy either no node involvement my chances of recurrence was 8% with anastrozole and 16% without. After 9 months with joint pain, depression, brain fog I decided to stop. After 3 months off I am feeling better. I'm 71. Sending you positive vibes to make the decision that's best for you❣️

@irishmary Hi Mary,
I am not a doctor but I will tell you about my decision not to take anastrozole. Oncologists are in our lives because we have breast cancer. They will advise you and prescribe medications.After my double mastectomy I needed no chemo or radiation. My cancer was Paget's disease. Occurs only in one breast I had the other taken off so I wouldn't have to worry down the line
My doctor told me that I would be on this drug (anastrozole) for 5 years. Side effects hot flashes night sweats. I began my own research and asked this Mayo forum how they were doing on it. Truthfully I was looking for good outcomes. The results went from bad to worse. The side effects for some were horrendous and irreversible. Most women were taking meds to counteract side effects only to be taking more meds with a new set of side effects.
I spoke to my oncologist and gave her my reasons why I won't be taking anastrole. She didn't argue with me or read me the riot act. I told her I am 72 years old and I want a good 5 years. Not made up of pain and other ailments. I will have all my regular check ups and be a compliant patient. It just boiled down to quality of life. Your 83 Mary and it sounds like you have a lot of life left in you there. Make the decision that's right for you. Every woman should. Be well and best of luck.

@srkellen
Thank you for your experience on taking anastrozole. I just switched to it after 7?mos. On letrozole. I am scheduled for lumpectomy (and possibly mastectomy) in March. At age 79 I’m thinking about not continuing on any meds afterwards and taking my
chances. If I have a recurrence I’ll deal with it then. It seems foolish to me to continue with it and then deal with probably more meds to handle whatever side effects come from the AI. I figure I may have 10 or so years left either way but I’d rather have quality than be constantly dealing with side effects. Best of luck to you!

@sunflowerqld
Thank you for sharing your story. Can you please tell me what the first brand of medication you were taking? I have been prescribed Anastrozole and after just the first week I had quite a few side effects and have decided to stop taking it.

Thank you