Completing 5 years on Anastrozole: Did you continue or stop after 5?

@sunshine1313
I understand the fear when you read the terrible side effects women have from taking an AI. Remember that everyone responds differently and we rarely post on these boards with good experiences, so know that there are women tolerating these well. Keep in mind that the side effects aren’t necessarily directly from the drug, but from the sudden drop in estrogen. Estrogen is in every part of our body, so when it’s practically eliminated, we are going to experience stiff joints, brain fog, hot flashes, irritability, anxiety, dry EVERYTHING, you get the picture. If we frame it as sudden menopause, we can address the side effects more appropriately; there is no reason to suffer. Don’t underestimate the power of good sleep, daily walking, stretching, eating well, mindful breathing etc.—the free and well-researched stuff! It doesn’t have to be miserable, but it does take a proactive and research-based approach. Best to you as you choose what’s best for you!

I'm on my 6th year, and doctor recommended when I started 5 years. However, I can take the medication with very limited side effects now and he suggested 10 years now. So I guess I'm staying on the meds, better than the alternative.

@vmeder how do you get your good sleep? I can handle everything else but that

@snewbrough

My name oncologist suggested I stop after five years. Although I spoke of a fear of reoccurrence, she noted that a person with my additional health condition, risks strokes with continued use.
Your doctor is the best guide for continuing or stopping your drugs.

@snewbrough Me, too. I wanted to stop after 5 yrs. but my doc suggested two more years with the additional
reduced risk of recurrence. But during the first five years I got cancer in the other breast! So I hope now at 6 yrs. like you that it will make a difference. I know it is not 100% preventive, but any reduction is worth it.

@vmeder I beg to differ on the idea that it's just like menopause. I went through menopause at 50, had hot flashes from terrible to light ones over time, for the next 25 years, which I tolerated. Then I was started on hormone blockers and it seems to have taken every drip of estrogen I had left. This gave me big hot flashes again, horrible labile hypertension (AI's), leg muscle and joint pain followed by some vein insufficiency (Fulvestrrant), and hand and shoulder pain with bad night headaches (5mg Tamoxifen). As you said Estrogen is everywhere, and there's a reason some is left after menopause in our bodies. I can't tolerate hormone blockers. You are right in saying that everyone has different side effects, some with very few.

@mare4 I currently take 100mg gabapentin 2-3 hours before I want to sleep. I do this during the week and take a break on the weekend, but that’s just a personal choice. I know others can take the 300mg dosage, but it made me groggy and unsteady, and gave me a dry mouth and bad headache. I wish you a good night’s sleep!