Completed 5 years of anastrozole. Withdrawal symptoms? Side effects?

For me it took about 6 months to feel like myself again. Those drugs really beat the sh⭐️t out of me . The fatigue was the least of my problems. My bones were in constant pain .

I took myself off the anastrozole 2 weeks ago and still have the severe stiffness in my fingers and shoulders. I see my oncologist in 3 weeks to discuss these problems.

I had 3 positive lymph nodes too and prescribed Verzenio. Just wondering if you ever took it and what your experience was?

So did anyone else get off anastrozole, and how long were you on it before you stopped? And did you have surgery at some point along the way? Thank you!

I have been reading up on all the comments. Most are about the effects when they are on it but only a few regarding when they go off. I am grateful and blessed to say I did not have much problems when I was put on it back in 2020. In the midst now that I read reviews, I think my plantar facitis started then. I just stopped in mid March this year after 5 years on Anastrozole. I noticed my right leg gets a bit tired after a bout of walking....but most of all I notice (rather my friends did) that I have lost weight. This is a major worry for me as I equate weight loss to cancer. But I just had my annual check up. My mamongram came back clear. My blood test cancer marker came back good. Cholestrol is good. Sugar level is good, no diabetes but slightly anemic. I am a small eater all my life but why am I losing weight? Oh I did not gain weight when I was Anastrozole. Anyone has this weight loss problem????Appreciate an input.

@smspaz59 Yes! Just about the same timeframe & same symptoms. Trying to get my energy back. Hopefully others who have had same experience will post suggestions.

@eleanorrigby I had a single mastectomy 9 years ago, followed by 7 years of Anastrazole, and lots of Zometa infusions. During the treatment, I had joint pain increase, lots of hair loss, and neuropathy in my toes. It is only recently, in the past 6 months or so, that I am no longer losing lots of hair. I now have osteoporosis, worst in my wrists, and one hip, and lots of joint pain which may or may not have been exacerbated by the medicine. Same for neuropathy; many factors can influence conditions. No weight loss for me.

It's not in your head! I had joint pain and fatigue, brain fog while taking anastrazole for 6 months. Went off it and joint pain majorly increased and developed trigger thumb in both thumbs. Been off 7 weeks and overall pain has lessened but still wake up with stiff fingers in the morning and trigger thumbs continue. The nurse said I may need an injection to loosen the tendon in my thumbs. Everyone reacts differently and it frustrates me that the medical doesn't acknowledge that.

@motormama59 I was on anastrozole for 5 years as well and have been off now for 4 years…have had no negative side effects

I stopped after 5 years and had no issues.