Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Posted by tinalove @tinalove, Jan 31, 2016

I completed all treatments for breast cancer but now I am supposed to take hormone blocker, named anastrozole. im concerned about the side effects. Has anyone here taken it and did anyone have hair loss?

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char81 | @char81 | Jul 12, 2021

You’re welcome😊 and good luck - I am on day 5 trying it out!
Make sure you research the kind of tart cherry - Amazon sells many gummies that don’t have a “real” dose of tart cherry. I purchased mine from Michigan and also a concentrate from health food store.

shelia71 | @shelia71 | Jul 12, 2021

Hi I’m right here with you. I don’t want to take it either due to the side effects and my age. I’m 71. Can I ask how old you are?

ellerbracke | @ellerbracke | Jul 13, 2021

In reply to @char81 "Here is the link to the tart cherry study: https://www.clinical-breast-cancer.com/article/S1526-8209(21)00151-8/fulltext" + (show)

@char81: Thank you as well for the tart cherry study. Had lumpectomy 6 weeks ago, no need for radiation or chemo based on the Onco score and other indicators. Started Letrozole 3 weeks ago. So far lucky, no major side effects, although most mornings I feel as if I had done some major yard work, even on the days that I didn’t do it. Joint/muscle pain mostly in hips. Goes away gradually during the course of the day. Unfortunately, because of hot/humid weather I do my daily (or almost daily, about 325 days/year) 2 mile morning walk between 7 and 8 AM, when the pain is still quite pronounced. I don’t want to start with OTC pain killers on a daily basis for this - yet. Hoping come fall I can do my walk after the soreness eases up. In addition to the brisk walks I also do some stretching exercises for my back, some bridges, squats, and planks, and 3 to 4 days a week 1 to 3 hours of yard work. Still - looking at Zometa in a few month’s time. For now I’m just crossing my fingers that the AI side effects stay manageable.

jkh | @jkh | Jul 13, 2021

In reply to @char81 "Here is the link to the tart cherry study: https://www.clinical-breast-cancer.com/article/S1526-8209(21)00151-8/fulltext" + (show)

I live near King Orchards. Going next week to pick up their tart cherry juice and start my own experiment on me. I’ll keep you posted!

a06742sl | @a06742sl | Jul 13, 2021

In reply to @char81 "Hello everyone I’m new here. Dx with Stage 2A Grade 1 - surgery was 6 months..." + (show)

I take the same and I was diagnosed the same as you. I have problems with joint pain in thumbs, shoulders and hips. I sure will try this. Keep us updated

char81 | @char81 | Jul 13, 2021

In reply to @jkh "I live near King Orchards. Going next week to pick up their tart cherry juice and..." + (show)

Great - I ordered mine from King Orchards. I'm on day 5 today.
Good luck:)

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Jul 13, 2021

In reply to @shelia71 "Hi I’m right here with you. I don’t want to take it either due to the..." + (show)

Welcome! I am not sure who you were directing this comment to, or what you didn’t want to take. Can you please elaborate a bit. Pull up a chair and join the conversation.

omega20 | @omega20 | Jul 13, 2021

In reply to @auntieoakley "I am not sure that 15 minutes or 30 minutes will really make a difference if..." + (show)

Yes anastrozole is my first treatment and I am doing well. I exercise every and hydrate often.cc

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Jul 13, 2021

In reply to @omega20 "Yes anastrozole is my first treatment and I am doing well. I exercise every and hydrate..." + (show)

I am glad you are doing well with anastrazole, I did fine on it as well.
Please keep me posted on your progress. Learning our new normal can be challenging, I am glad you are here.

sequoia | @sequoia | Jul 17, 2021

In reply to @auntieoakley "I am glad you are doing well with anastrazole, I did fine on it as well...." + (show)

@Chis. How long did you take Anastrozole? The full 5 years. I’m coming up on 2 years. I was having hip/groin pain & my hands would go to sleep, but I could make it quit if I moved my head/neck snd stretch the muscles. I’m the type of person to let my body tell me what’s going on, I listen! I stopped my Anastrozole for 28 days. I started physical therapy for my neck. With PT exercise are helping. There us quite a difference. I started taking my Anastrozole again Day 2 … do we will see. Weight gain was not an issue for me as I was consistently the same weight. Up 1 lb down 1 pound. Sometimes up 2 lbs 🤷‍♀️ Down 1 lb. 😊
I’m just trying to figure out what this medicine is doing to my body. MY BODY The doctors prescribe this medicine as a 1 size fits all. I personally do not believe it should be, but that is the way doctors treat us. But that is a whole different discussion. Bottom line is . . I’m working on me.