Anastrozole: Did you experience developing anxiety? What helps?

I found something to look forward to everyday.

I would make baby quilts or crochet blankets for the local hospital.

Also, we would get to have our granddaughters once a week in the summer. My job was to develop Grandpatents Camp for them.
I tried to swim daily at the local health center.
Taking my mind off my condition helped a lot.
I also would read Dr. Love’s Breast Book as if it were my Bible! It walked me through all of the treatments, side effects, and mental roadblocks.
Even after my treatment is completed it helps to reassure me.

@beyourownadvocate Thank you!

I think the suggestions have been wonderful. The longer I was on Anastrazole that is when I experienced low mood and more easily anxious. Meditation helped enormously, especially Yoga Nidra meditations. But dont be afraid to inquire about an anti-depressants because the sheer battle fatigue of treatments easily gobbles up serotonin. It was a big help. Occasionally would also take an anti-anxiety if it was needed at night. No need to suffer- ask your oncologist about all resources.

All of my arthritis issues flared with the decrease of estrogen in my body. Being in constant pain really made me pissy, but I resisted antidepressants, having had bad experiences with them in the past. My oncologist finally convinced me to try Duloxetine which seems tailor made - reduced the pain & lifted my mood. Feel free to try different meds since we are all so different in our responses. Good luck!

Wonderful! I am so glad you didn't quit and were open to new options! After 2+ years on Anastrozole, I injured my knee and now both knees and hips are making life difficult. After I see the Ortho, I'm hoping for some resolution. I've always been very active and this inactivity is driving me nuts! I do as much as I can, including the gym for upper body and short hikes, which seem to help more than hurt.

All of these comments are so helpful. I think I’m going to take a few days off from taking anastrozole. According to Google .. it stays in our system some 50 hrs so taking it daily seems curious and worth questioning.

@megunique So very helpful! Thank you!

@jwmusic65
I read about the duration of one dose of Anastrozole and it’s half-life, too.
I asked my oncologist about that, wondering if it was possible to take it every other day.
She frowned on that and I struggled with the idea of maybe doing an every other day regimen without telling her.
But then I thought about it. Who had the 10+ years of education and 30+ years of experience in dealing with cancer? Not me.
I kept taking the drug daily and fighting through the side effects.
So far, my oncologist made the right call.

@beyourownadvocate I have the same thing with exemestane. Half life is 24 hours (meaning 1/2 of the drug is gone in that time) and I saw a lot of women recommending taking it every other day. Asked my oncologist and he couldn’t recommend. His reason is that is beneath “standard of care”. While he did take me off for a month due to side effects, won’t do the reduced dose. I do have a medical background and understand it so will continue daily unless I find enough medical information to the contrary.

After almost 2 years on Anastrozole I also started experiencing anxiety a couple months ago, although I'm not sure it's from the Anastrozole or other factors going on in my life. Someone told me about drinking Saffron tea and that it's supposed to help relieve anxiety and depression. I've been having a cup every afternoon and I think it is helping. You can find lots of articles and info about it online, especially how to make it. I got some on Amazon. Also another friend told me about Olly gummies that you can find at Walmart and most other pharmacies. There are various kinds specifically for anxiety. One I'm using right now is called "Goodbye Stress". I do think these 2 things have helped me be less anxious.