Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I am 85. My tumor was 98% Estrogen receptor positive. It was a grade 3. I had side effects from Anastrazole and had to switch after 4 months. Had trigger fingers and digestive issues. Exemestane has been a little better tolerated but have a lot of stiffness, joint pain, and a finger trying to trigger. Am doing finger exercises for the triggering. Some emotions run high at times. Sleep disturbance too. I am hanging in there as long as I can. Have been on Exemestane 14 months.

@cdammen I am in the same situation as you and struggling to figure things out. If I look strictly at the risk numbers—the side effects from vascular events and Tamoxifen are lowest but they can be quite serious. The high risk of living with sustained chronic pain weighs in heavily on the other. Gosh I wish the choices were easier for both of us.

@ksue3 Small thing, but there are hand braces you can get at the drug store to help with a trigger finger.

@cdammen family history of cardiovascular issues- brother had a heart attack at age 54, mother has had a coronary bypass and has vascular dementia. I found that I have osteopenia in the lumbar spine (hips and femoral heads are better than average for my age, though). Estrogen is protective for cardiovascular system and bone density, so I’d like to take advantage of that. I’ve had a partial hysterectomy so I don’t need to worry about endometrial cancer, and I’m pretty active so DVT shouldn’t be an issue.

@spud62 Thank you so very much. The strokes and vascular ruptures in my family were at a later age. I have not been thinking about endometrial cancer and probably should.

@spud62 I had same experience! First oncologist recommended Anastrozole but I switched to a cancer center & new oncologist prescribed a half-dose (10 mg) of Tamoxifen for bone protection (I'm 72 & had already taken meds for osteoporosis). I felt better about this option. There's a real split among doctors regarding the hormone blockers. We each have ro advocate for ourselves!

I started anastrozole in 2023 for high risk breast cancer due to multifocal atypical hyperplasia, daughter of DES, over 70 and my sister had breast cancer. I did have many side effects with Anastrozole.. Initially, I had bladder spasms, tiredness, pain, difficulty sleeping. I now take pumpkin seed OTC supplement from. AZO or Amazon. It really helps with the bladder sensitivity. I also take magnesium Gummies and some type low-dose melatonin to help with sleep.After about 16 months, I had significant difficulties with anastrozole. My dry eye became severe, needing two new eye medicines. My joints hurt so much, It was even hard to make the bed and developing trigger finger. I also develop lichen sclerosis throughout my body. I did have hair fall initially in about the first six months. It was concerning, but I was already on Minoxidil tablets and I took special vitamins, shampoo, etc. and the hair did thicken after the first six months. After taking a month of prescription NSAIDs, I was switched to extemestane. The first three weeks I did have some dizziness, but that went away. The two side effects I currently have is stomach upset, and being warm all the time. If I take the medicine at supper after I’ve eaten. I have less stomach issues. The overheating is not heat flashes it just makes me very susceptible to over heating when it’s warm outside. I am now experiencing hair fall again in the first six months but I expect that it’s going to thicken again after six months like the first medicine.Good luck to you, every buddies journey is personal and unique.

What about letrozole? My doctors is suggesting this? I had unusual side effects from TC infusions. I am currently looking for better outcomes on the side effects but, concerned about the quality of my life? You gals all seem to have quality of life issues that always should be addressed. I am 74, and wonder what my quality of life will look like with any of these drugs??

@cdammen I replied, don’t see it here. Family history of cardiovascular issues (including vascular dementia) and I personally have lumbar osteopenia

@grandma41 it was the opposite for me I started on Letrolzole first and it made my joints hurt so bad then they switched me to Anastrozole and I hurt also can’t say if it’s less or not but the pain is trouble. I also have lupus so they don’t know if it’s a lupus flare up or the medicine, I have my right breast removed and I did radiation..,. Nothing compared to the pain I have with these pills