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Recovery time after Anastrozole/aromatase inhibitors
Breast Cancer | Last Active: 1 hour ago | Replies (47)Comment receiving replies
@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!
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@brightlight66
Thank you for sharing. 💗 I really believe we all have to follow our own path and do what feels right for us.
A little update from me—it has now been six weeks since I stopped taking Anastrozole, and honestly, I haven't felt this well or enjoyed life this much since my diagnosis 18 months ago. That makes the thought of going back on it incredibly difficult, and at this stage I'm thinking I probably won't.
One of the biggest changes has been my mindset. Looking back six weeks ago, I was just trying to get through each day, constantly searching for ways to cope with the side effects. I can see now that I had fallen into a "breast cancer victim" mindset. I was feeling depressed, feeling sorry for myself, and every day revolved around managing the medication and its effects. My thoughts were always about cancer.
Now I feel like I've shifted into a "breast cancer survivor" mindset. I'm focused on making each day a good one, staying active, finding joy again, and filling my life with things I love.
These are just my personal thoughts, and I have discussed them with my doctor. For me, I've come to feel that the side effects of the medication may pose a greater overall health risk than stopping it. The inactivity, increased risk of osteoporosis, depression, poor diet because shopping and cooking became such a chore, brain fog, reduced socialising, and the possibility of ending up on multiple medications for the next five years scare me more than the cancer returning.
Everyone has to weigh up the risks differently, but for me, I'd rather focus on living as healthily as I can—staying active, eating well, checking my breasts regularly, and continuing with my annual mammograms and ultrasounds.
I've also bought a sewing machine and joined a quilting group, which has been wonderful. Interestingly, in our small group of 18 women, five have had breast cancer and all have been survivors for more than 10 years. Two of them tried aromatase inhibitors but couldn't stay on them for even a year because of the side effects.
Of course, this is just my journey, not advice for anyone else. We all have different cancers, different risk factors, and different experiences. Whatever decision each of us makes, I think it's important that it feels right for us after talking it through with our medical team. ❤️