← Return to Completed 5 years of anastrozole. Withdrawal symptoms? Side effects?

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@suepeet

most of these comments are 2-3 years old. I just finished my second round of 5 years on Anastrozole and am wondering about potential long term effects this will have done to my body. I finished taking them just 2 days ago so haven't yet experienced any side effects.

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Replies to "most of these comments are 2-3 years old. I just finished my second round of 5..."

One suggestion is to research what estrogen depletion does to the body and address anything that might seem as if it applies. I did not take an aromatase inhibitor after surgical removal of a stage 1A tumor in October, 2021. The reason I did not was because of the predictable hastened bone loss. I know someone currently trying to deal with osteonarcosis of the jaw from the side effects from the drugs used to 'treat' osteoporosis and it's very difficult. For one thing, neither her former dentist or oral surgeon will work on her because of the risks the osteonarcosis puts her at. If you haven't been monitoring bone density, though I expect all oncologists do so, a DEXA scan will analyze how your bones are doing. You're probably fine but might be able to take some proactive steps. Another side effect of the aromstase inhibitors is elevated cholesterol and you can remedy that. In an abundance of caution, I'd have an endopat test done as well since depleting the body of estrogen seems to affect endothelial tissue. I should add that I have the genetic marker for heart disease so might be more cautious than most. And I have a low risk for recurrence according to the OncotypeDX and a private geneticist so weighed the side effects of the anti-hormone meds versus quality of life and other known risks. Being older probably tilted me more toward the known present and quality of life today versus an unknown possible future risk but with the odds in my favor if the geneticist and my oncologist are correct.