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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

laselidas | @laselidas | Nov 15, 2021

The study shared by Windyshores is from 2020. If anybody finds a more updated clinical trial, please share.

mdr3 | @mdr3 | Nov 16, 2021

In reply to @laselidas "The study shared by Windyshores is from 2020. If anybody finds a more updated clinical trial,..." + (show)

How to find this? But I just want to share something else I have discovered with both Tamoxifen and Arimidex of late. Some oncologists don't talk about these two very practical things: sufficient hydration every day (can be up to 64 oz) and time of day the med is taken. I have found these two things to matter

mari | @mari | Nov 16, 2021

I went off Anestrazole and equivalents - could not stand diarrhea -weakness and for vain me: hair loss. I don't miss it.

laselidas | @laselidas | Nov 16, 2021

In reply to @mari "I went off Anestrazole and equivalents - could not stand diarrhea -weakness and for vain me:..." + (show)

It's not vain... I thought alopecia would not matter to me until I looked like an extra terrestrial entity. That was not me. Hopefully it won't happen to me... I want to keep anastrozole, but I do not know if I will stand to be a horrible, terrifying something, an image that frightens kids. The pain was in my chest, so deep. I do not want even to recall t his.

laselidas | @laselidas | Nov 16, 2021

In reply to @mdr3 "How to find this? But I just want to share something else I have discovered with..." + (show)

I was not told anything about it. Do you know what time of the day it should be taken and why? What is the source -if you remember- where you get this information from?

brinacarmen | @brinacarmen | Nov 17, 2021

In reply to @mdr3 "How to find this? But I just want to share something else I have discovered with..." + (show)

Can you please share the time of day ? Thank you

beckman4 | @beckman4 | Nov 17, 2021

What time of day is best to take it?

Dee Chase | @deechase | Nov 17, 2021

I was told to take the anastrozole right away in the morning. I just started it on 10/27/21. I had some side effects in the first few weeks, but most have subsided or, at least, settled down a bit. I have to say the decision to take this medication was more difficult than going through the lumpectomy and the proton beam radiation. It's terrifying. However, the thought of having recurrent breast cancer is more terrifying. I realize this is not a guarantee, but I'm trying to do all I can to do what I can to be my own best advocate.

bluebird70 | @bluebird70 | Nov 17, 2021

In reply to @mdr3 "How to find this? But I just want to share something else I have discovered with..." + (show)

What time if day did they/you say you took your pill. I agree with the water👍

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Nov 17, 2021

In reply to @deechase "I was told to take the anastrozole right away in the morning. I just started it..." + (show)

Like you, I was told to take it first thing in the morning, I definitely agree with the water, I would add at least 30 minutes of walking or equivalent exercise was really helpful for me.
Kudos for you for stepping up and doing all you can for your future. Can you say why the decision was so difficult for you?