Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I was on AI for ten or more years total, some on tamoxifen and some on anastrazole. The problem with tamoxifen was that I could not take my normal antidepressant while on it. No one who has to be around me wanted me off of that. 😂😂 my brother calls them my nice pills. I did have joint and muscle stiffness and soreness, and I still do a couple of years later. I blame it on the accelerated aging from a lack of estrogen, but I never had tingling in my hands. When your hands tingle are you sitting quietly or sleeping, or are you were active? Did you take chemotherapy?

The hand tingling was mostly when I sleep, so initially I thought it was the way I had my arm. But then it happened when soaking, laying back in my tub. My head/chin downward i.e. messing with my phone. Hardly ever when active. Sometimes sitting in my recliner reading. I wear progressive glasses so my head is adjusting where o can see.
The PT gal said my neck muscles were very tight, pulling up my rib in that area. Since I’ve been doing my exercises, the tingling has alleviated some.
The different achiness I have, I kept telling myself it was age. Maybe, but I’m not will to just sit around and let that happen- whether from med or aging - I choose JUST KEEP MOVING.

I am glad you are getting help for that and I hoping it really was maybe just a pinched nerve that can be alleviated through PT. I agree with about “just keep moving”. But I have to admit those first twenty steps after sleeping or sitting quietly can be brutal. I still get going and focus on the life I have as a result of all these meds. What do you do to keep moving? Do you have a daily activity?

Well I try and get out and walk daily. Then I go to the gym (bands, balks &!hand weights) 2x a week. Then just all my chores/activities around the house and our property.

Hello - Just joined the group here. Started Anastrozole less then a week ago and very concerned about the side effects. Wondering for those whom experienced any, how long after starting medication did the side effects present? Thank you!

Welcome @blue850 , there is a wide range of side effects from almost not even noticing it to cannot tolerate it. I had some increased stiffness in my joints within a month, and then there is the long term side effect of losing estrogen. Gray hair, wrinkles, and yes bone density loss. All things I don’t love, but……..I am still here 17 years later to whine about it. That being said, if I had been nauseous and had stomach problems like some people, I would have asked for a different drug. There are several different choices and every body acts differently. Depending on age. I would ask my doctor for a baseline bone density test if you haven’t had one. It just never occurred to me that that would be the thing. I thought I would just get fat and my heart would pop. Lol. Actually all the activity I do each day helped with the joint stiffness. Are you an active person?

Thank you @auntieoakley for this information. Yes, would consider myself active, always have been my whole life. I'm 55 now. I run about 10 miles a week average, in the summer now swim almost daily, mix in some basic weight moves and in general don't sit down for very long. I just naturally prefer to keep moving, so for that I am thankful. Despite all that I am about 15 lbs. overweight all gained during chemo treatments. I am 6 years past all that now. After the surgery, chemo and radiation I was put on Tamoxifen but couldn't handle the side effects after a year. At that point the plan was Anastrozole but I opted out as just reading the side effects sounded like it wouldn't be much different. Lately been feeling actually quite good, energetic and clear headed. I moved and found new providers which caused me to rethink the hormone therapy decision. I am told with 4 years of Anastrozole to get me to the 10 year mark I can halve my reoccurrence margin from 8% to 4% probability. If I can tolerate the 4 years it likely is worth it, but now all the memories of how terrible I felt that 1 year on Tamoxifen have me concerned. I will monitor the situation and if I am finding myself with low energy, aches, pains, brain fog, thinning hair, etc. I am sure I will reevaluate once again. The quality of life vs number of years certainly is serious and I don't know if any of the pharmaceuticals or anyone else is working on addressing this but it certainly would go a long way for many women. For now I am taking a magnesium/calcium/zinc with every meal and making sure not to skip the other daily's especially the D. Basically trying to counteract any accelerated bone mineral loss. I did have a baseline Dexa right after chemo and 2 since then including the last a month ago. They show healthy bones for my age. I had not heard about stomach trouble or nausea until your reply, so yay 2 more ;things to watch out for, ha, ha.. thanks again for responding and cheers to you at 17 years and many more to you.

I agree with quality of life vs years. My active lifestyle means mucking stalls, bucking hay, running behind with long lines during training. Pushing wagons, and lifting harnesses or heavy saddles, and fixing fence. Lol . I do find that even after my 10 years on AI was up, I still get much stiffer after a day off at the barn. We are exactly the same age, but I have much worse bones. Please don’t give up on getting that 4% gain too easy, there are still a few more choices if you can’t stand this one.

I have been on it for 2 months and have not noticed any side effects yet.

I started Anastrazole 1mg several months ago. I didn’t have much of any side effects for about a month; then, muscle/joint pain, hot flashes, insomnia, GI issues, and depression hit me! I already have severe fibromyalgia and sleep issues, so the AI hit those areas hard.

My Oncologist took me off of Anastrozole for a week and I saw some improvement. Then he started me back on it. I decided not to try another AI because they had added symptoms like headaches, nausea & dizziness, which would be horrible.

So, I’m still taking Anastrozole.
Effexor helps with hot flashes, gabapentin with nerve pain and I’m trying Flexeril for chronic fibro muscle/joint pain. You have to be careful with any new drugs because they can have their own impact on liver and other organs. Be sure your Primary is evaluating your bloodwork often.

Praying you’ll have minimal side effects! 💕🙏