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

I have been on Anastrozole for almost 2 months, take it at night. I am just now experiencing some dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite. Has anyone experienced any of these symptoms after 2 months of taking?

I was told by my doctor that the nausea can take up to 6 months to go away. I have been on it for 3 months. Also I have joint pain, I don't sleep and now depression. Is it worth all these side effects? Not for me.

I was told by my doctor that the nausea can take up to 6 months to go away. I have been on it for 3 months. Also I have joint pain, I don't sleep and now depression. Is it worth all these side effects? Not for me.

Welcome to Connect, @christinej
I'm tagging a few other members who have mentioned taking anastrozole for some time such as @wandering @susanao1 @itskeenerific @judymroz @cindylb @chamisaand @berit. I'm not sure if all have finished AI treatment.

Christine, what symptoms are you experiencing?

I do not have cancer but had genetic testing due to mother, sister, aunts and cousin with breast cancer. The RAD50 showed a mutation of unknown significance for breast cancer and melanoma. I had melanoma and because of family history of breast was referred to an oncologist. He wanted to put me on Anastrozole. I saw the side effects and am pretty sure after looking at these replies I don't think I want to go there! I am a healthy 67 and only meds I take is thyroid. Think I'll just be asking for trouble and since I now qualify for 2 mammograms a year and skin screening will try to stay on top of it! Would like to hear about side effects.

I am not sure which side effects you are referring to, anastrazole, or breast cancer? Since I have plenty of personal experience with both I will give you my experience and hindsight choices. Others no doubt will have different experiences and different choices. All of those are valid as we are all individual. My time with anastrazole was annoying, I had a slight nagging nausea for the first 4 to 6 months. I had some bone pain which is really annoying and uncomfortable. I also had a worsening of arthritis which can be annoying too. If it were not for the possibilities of cancer returning being higher I would never tolerate it. That being said, I went through cancer treatments for breast cancer and it was a grueling, painful year of agony. Beginning with multiple surgeries to chest, chest wall, and armpits. Moving on to aggressive chemotherapy, weight loss, hair loss, almost constant nausea, vomiting, and fatigue, added to the worry and anxiety. Next up another surgery to remove the ovaries, and on to radiation. Radiation includes burns and now scarring over chest wall, and crippling fatigue, being in the clinic every day Monday through Friday for 6 weeks. Rounding out the year with anxiety, fear and depression when the doctor said, ok , you are done, go live your life. Obviously knowing how I reacted to both of these things I would choose the very annoying years, over a year of agony. I have friends who had a different experience and would give you a wildly different story. The only person who can decide what is best for you, is you. Please seek out advice from your doctor, or a few doctors, then weigh your choices for yourself. I will be wishing you the best!

I'm so sorry you've had to grow through all that, watched my mother and sister do that also. I don't have cancer but had some mild mutations and due to family history Oncologist wants me do take it as a preventive med. I'm healthy and still working and not sure I want to deal with side effects. Qualify for mamograms twice a year and self exams maybe a better option?

The answer is what you are comfortable with, you will know the right answer for you. Heart and hugs