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Recovery time after Anastrozole/aromatase inhibitors
Greetings Everyone,
I took Anastrozole for one year. I had severe arch/foot and leg pain that did not improve. I’ve been off the AI four months with slight improvement in these symptoms. Can anyone share their “recovery” experiences from AIs. What side effects did you have, did side effects resolve and if so how long did it take? Thank you!
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Encouraged to find out by the end of this November, whether the new drug (instead of Arimidex) called Giredestrant will be FDA approved for early stage BC. It is not supposed to have the harsh side effects, and in the trials, not as many women stopped taking it early; the way so many of us did with Arimidex. Such an improvement would be welcome. I was 73, only took Arimidex for 2 months before it knocked me for a loop. The oncologist said to stop taking it. My recurrence rate went from 3% to 5%, so not a big difference. I was to the point where I couldn’t even withstand a trip to the grocery store without being down and out for hours afterward. Aces and pains and no stamina. Hair shedding was terrible. Interesting that some women have almost zero side effects and they are so fortunate. I am still using topical foam Minoxidil daily to get my hair back in shape.
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3 Reactions@marygrannie yes I think this is a research area that begs exploration - are there specific genetic triggers that cause some people to be so severely affected?
I took Anastrazole for 14 mths - I started noticing a difference with brain fog, nausea, flushes almost straight away - about two or three days - aches and pains about two weeks. I feel fabulous - my old self again.
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6 Reactions@forrestbeach26 so pleased for you - hoping I can eventually post something similar.
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2 ReactionsGiredestrant has been favorably presented at both the San Antonio Breast Cancer 2025 symposium and the recent ASCO conference in May 2026. Beyond the question of FDA approval, the question of cost remains.
I think many of us taking aromatase inhibitors are very interested in this drug which seems to work as well or better than AIs and possibly with fewer side effects. I asked my oncology PA about this drug at my last visit in early June, and oddly enough, she said little about it. That surprised me because I'm chomping at the bit to learn more about it. If it were possible to enroll in a clinical trial of this drug, I would have wanted to participate. Too late now.
https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/giredestrant-reduces-recurrence-risk-better-than-tamoxfen-and-aromatase-inhibitors
https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2026.44.16_suppl.502
https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2026.44.17_suppl.LBA1006
Roche, the manufacturer of Giredestrant, indicated December 2026 for possible FDA approval:
https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2026-02-20
@forrestbeach26 Thank you for sharing! I've been on it for 8 months with trigger fingers , weakness in hand, fatigue, insomnia and lately depression. I decided to quit for awhile 5 days ago because I was depressed and already feel better. The depression has lifted, my sleep is starting to balance out and I enjoy my aerobics class more. I don't know if I'll quit for a month or two or for good, but just that I feel more like my old self again is just the best!