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

Posted by christinej @christinej, Jul 24, 2018

Monday, July 23rd, after consulting with Dr. Loprinzi, we decided to have me stop taking anastrozole. (Arimidex). It has been 5 years since I started the drug after breast cancer surgery and radiation. Has anyone stopped this drug and had any withdrawal symptoms? The nurse from Blue Group sent me an email today saying that there are no withdrawal symptoms after stopping this drug. Soooooooooooooo, is this all in my head? Definitely having some type of withdrawal.

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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Aug 27, 2020
In reply to @dianechaz49 "I am getting off Anastrozole at the end of this month - August 2020. Been on..." + (show)
@dianechaz49

I am getting off Anastrozole at the end of this month - August 2020. Been on it for five years so I'm prepping myself about any possible withdrawal side effects. Don't want to jinx myself but being informed about others in my same situation helps. Had side effects while being on it but I dealt with it. I never thought to ask my doctor about possible withdrawal effects but will.

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When I switched from Anastrozole to Exemestane - I'm guess it took 3 to 4 months for the joint pain to subside. All my best wishes for going the full 5 years!!

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chriscake | @chriscake | Nov 8, 2020
In reply to @vikkr "I too stopped taking Arimidex after five years now have enlarged fatty liver, osteopenia, debilitating fatigue,..." + (show)
@vikkr

I too stopped taking Arimidex after five years now have enlarged fatty liver, osteopenia, debilitating fatigue, progressing weakness muscle weakness weight loss poor appetite hearing loss neck and back arthalgias, abnormal high white blood count high monocytes high MCHC and high hgb, UTI's, bladder incontinence, bone spurs, herniations etc. anyone else have "withdrawal symptoms"?

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I have stopped taking Anastrozole after just over 5 years' treatment. Most important for medical personnel and researchers and manufacturers is that my reaction which has included fatigue and energy/ mood swings dramatically entered a massive suicidal depression approx 9 days after stopping. I have only once experienced suicidal thoughts in my life and that was following a major relationship break up. I was weepy and feeling very unworthy and alone. I also wanted to self-harm. Again I have no history of this ideation. My GP knew nothing of these possible results - and in fact anticipated I would feel better for being off the tablets. So I believe it is very important to share this information far and wide. Fortunately I was able to find some resources within my which steered me off these destructive urges and had friends to de-brief with in the following days. This is now 4 weeks since stopping and mood and energy swings continue but not the major depression.

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3 replies
kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Nov 8, 2020
In reply to @chriscake "I have stopped taking Anastrozole after just over 5 years' treatment. Most important for medical personnel..." + (show)
@chriscake

I have stopped taking Anastrozole after just over 5 years' treatment. Most important for medical personnel and researchers and manufacturers is that my reaction which has included fatigue and energy/ mood swings dramatically entered a massive suicidal depression approx 9 days after stopping. I have only once experienced suicidal thoughts in my life and that was following a major relationship break up. I was weepy and feeling very unworthy and alone. I also wanted to self-harm. Again I have no history of this ideation. My GP knew nothing of these possible results - and in fact anticipated I would feel better for being off the tablets. So I believe it is very important to share this information far and wide. Fortunately I was able to find some resources within my which steered me off these destructive urges and had friends to de-brief with in the following days. This is now 4 weeks since stopping and mood and energy swings continue but not the major depression.

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I'm so sorry to hear of this! So glad you had a support system in place and that they helped you. Do not be afraid to reach out for help.

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trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Nov 8, 2020
In reply to @chriscake "I have stopped taking Anastrozole after just over 5 years' treatment. Most important for medical personnel..." + (show)
@chriscake

I have stopped taking Anastrozole after just over 5 years' treatment. Most important for medical personnel and researchers and manufacturers is that my reaction which has included fatigue and energy/ mood swings dramatically entered a massive suicidal depression approx 9 days after stopping. I have only once experienced suicidal thoughts in my life and that was following a major relationship break up. I was weepy and feeling very unworthy and alone. I also wanted to self-harm. Again I have no history of this ideation. My GP knew nothing of these possible results - and in fact anticipated I would feel better for being off the tablets. So I believe it is very important to share this information far and wide. Fortunately I was able to find some resources within my which steered me off these destructive urges and had friends to de-brief with in the following days. This is now 4 weeks since stopping and mood and energy swings continue but not the major depression.

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@chriscake
Thank you for having the courage to advise us of this information -- I shall keep it in mind when I come to that point in my life. Hoping that you continue reaching out and seeking help, you are truly worth finding happiness.

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oilermama | @oilermama | Nov 8, 2020

I echo the thoughts of others. Thanks for having the courage to share; it will help each of us as we deal with the meds and all of their side effects. Does anyone else struggle with the 7 days that they are off Ibrance?

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cindylb | @cindylb | Nov 8, 2020

I didn't take the aromatase drugs due to initial side effects, so I can't comment on your specific question BUT.......I do want to offer that in my experience doctors often downplay all side effects from drugs and treatment. I think they believe if you don't think it's going to happen.....it won't happen (?) You may experience side effects from withdrawal and please don't let doctors tell you that you aren't feeling what you feel. We are all individuals and react to things in different ways. It's one of my pet peeves with medical people in general. Congrats on finishing the full five years! Hugs

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1 reply
kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Nov 9, 2020
In reply to @chriscake "I have stopped taking Anastrozole after just over 5 years' treatment. Most important for medical personnel..." + (show)
@chriscake

I have stopped taking Anastrozole after just over 5 years' treatment. Most important for medical personnel and researchers and manufacturers is that my reaction which has included fatigue and energy/ mood swings dramatically entered a massive suicidal depression approx 9 days after stopping. I have only once experienced suicidal thoughts in my life and that was following a major relationship break up. I was weepy and feeling very unworthy and alone. I also wanted to self-harm. Again I have no history of this ideation. My GP knew nothing of these possible results - and in fact anticipated I would feel better for being off the tablets. So I believe it is very important to share this information far and wide. Fortunately I was able to find some resources within my which steered me off these destructive urges and had friends to de-brief with in the following days. This is now 4 weeks since stopping and mood and energy swings continue but not the major depression.

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Congratulations on completing the full 5 years!! It makes me really aggravated when doctors downplay my side effects. Especially my GP - who acts like I am making some of them up. You hang in there - there are better days to come. I also struggled with deep depression like this when I was much younger, I could not see that the future held any hope for me. There is always hope and better days to come.

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wyngnit | @wyngnit | Nov 10, 2020
In reply to @karendb "Thank you for the positive words. I'll be starting those pills in a week and have..." + (show)
@karendb

Thank you for the positive words. I'll be starting those pills in a week and have read such horror stories about it, I was worrying myself sick.

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I going to start as well and get anxiety over it. A close friend takes It (6years)and has muscle pains and fatigue but not debilitating and is “tolerating” it sha started with Arimidex and switched to another due to stomach pain
There are 3 so can changes

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1 reply
queenmary25 | @queenmary25 | Nov 12, 2020

I am on my first full month & feel stiff & slow to get up. I have developed terrible plantar fascitis. This is awful. My gynecologist told me that testerone will help with the side effects of Anastrozole. Does anyone know about this or is trying this method?

Regards

Mary

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