1. < Breast Cancer

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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windyshores | @windyshores | Apr 30, 2022
In reply to @pjsfla "Forgot to say , yes , taking faslodex shots . aka fulvestrant . That is another..." + (show)
@pjsfla

Forgot to say , yes , taking faslodex shots . aka fulvestrant . That is another AI , to rid the estrogen , so to starve the cancer . 1x a month . It isnt enough alone so also on Ibrance , but hasn't been shown to work yet . Fingers crossed , scan likely in May / June to see if working or not . Been a roller coaster , and problems with slow appts at Kaiser perm . They blame covid of course . Best , PJSFLA

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Hope your medications work and your upcoming scans bring good news!

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ldavids2 | @ldavids2 | Apr 30, 2022

Has anyone experienced extreme chapped lips while taking anastrozole? I have tried absolutely every product (vaseline, aquaphor, eraclear, carmex, blistex, chap stick, AND MANY OTHERS) and have found no relief. It's starting to become a disorder where I am constantly applying some product to my lips. They are very painful especially if I am sweating or eating salty foods. This is not a life-threatening problem but definitely affecting my quality of life. Are there any prescription or other remedies that work? Thanks to you all for sharing!

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2 replies
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Apr 30, 2022
In reply to @ldavids2 "Has anyone experienced extreme chapped lips while taking anastrozole? I have tried absolutely every product (vaseline,..." + (show)
@ldavids2

Has anyone experienced extreme chapped lips while taking anastrozole? I have tried absolutely every product (vaseline, aquaphor, eraclear, carmex, blistex, chap stick, AND MANY OTHERS) and have found no relief. It's starting to become a disorder where I am constantly applying some product to my lips. They are very painful especially if I am sweating or eating salty foods. This is not a life-threatening problem but definitely affecting my quality of life. Are there any prescription or other remedies that work? Thanks to you all for sharing!

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Seems like such a little thing but it sure is a pain right! I took to keeping eos handy all the time. I have now added systane eye drops to the mix. Apparently I am drying up. 😂 As I spend a lot of time outdoors it just adds to the problem. People joke about the toughest girl in the barn can’t leave without her chapstick.

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danielle0313 | @danielle0313 | Apr 30, 2022
In reply to @ldavids2 "Has anyone experienced extreme chapped lips while taking anastrozole? I have tried absolutely every product (vaseline,..." + (show)
@ldavids2

Has anyone experienced extreme chapped lips while taking anastrozole? I have tried absolutely every product (vaseline, aquaphor, eraclear, carmex, blistex, chap stick, AND MANY OTHERS) and have found no relief. It's starting to become a disorder where I am constantly applying some product to my lips. They are very painful especially if I am sweating or eating salty foods. This is not a life-threatening problem but definitely affecting my quality of life. Are there any prescription or other remedies that work? Thanks to you all for sharing!

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Hi there,
I don’t know if this would help, but it’s a product from France. I bought some years ago while visiting Paris and use it all the time (got a second time on Amazon as well). I use it on my chapped lips and a little goes a LONG way. I attached some photos of the description.
I hope you feel better!!
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1 reply
adanab | @adanab | May 1, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Just for clarification Faslodex (fulvestrant) is not technically speaking an aromatase inhibitor. It is also an..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Just for clarification
Faslodex (fulvestrant) is not technically speaking an aromatase inhibitor. It is also an anti-estrogen medication.but is an estrogen receptor downregulator (ERD). It works by blocking the actions of estrogen in the body.

Faslodex is used in postmenopausal women with hormone-related breast cancer that is advanced or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

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I'm curious how oncologists come up with their drug combinations, i.e., I was on Ibrance/Letrozole and when it stopped working was put on Faslodex (injected)/Afinitor. But I've seen Faslodex/Ibrance combos and many others. I wonder if it depends on the particular cancer (I'm mets BC) or is an institution or onco protocol, or? Can you shed any light on this? Thanks.

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2 replies
windyshores | @windyshores | May 2, 2022
In reply to @adanab "I'm curious how oncologists come up with their drug combinations, i.e., I was on Ibrance/Letrozole and..." + (show)
@adanab

I'm curious how oncologists come up with their drug combinations, i.e., I was on Ibrance/Letrozole and when it stopped working was put on Faslodex (injected)/Afinitor. But I've seen Faslodex/Ibrance combos and many others. I wonder if it depends on the particular cancer (I'm mets BC) or is an institution or onco protocol, or? Can you shed any light on this? Thanks.

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I watched a great presentation on meds for MBC on EMBRACE. It is on YouTube. In the meantime we can look forward to Colleen's answer 🙂

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1 reply
adanab | @adanab | May 2, 2022

Thanks - those YouTube videos from EMBRACE are helpful and I appreciate that you mentioned them.

Adana

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ldavids2 | @ldavids2 | May 2, 2022
In reply to @danielle0313 "Hi there, I don’t know if this would help, but it’s a product from France. I..." + (show)
@danielle0313

Hi there,
I don’t know if this would help, but it’s a product from France. I bought some years ago while visiting Paris and use it all the time (got a second time on Amazon as well). I use it on my chapped lips and a little goes a LONG way. I attached some photos of the description.
I hope you feel better!!

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Thanks so much for your recommendation! I will definitely try it - I feel like I've already tried absolutely everything else.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 2, 2022
In reply to @adanab "I'm curious how oncologists come up with their drug combinations, i.e., I was on Ibrance/Letrozole and..." + (show)
@adanab

I'm curious how oncologists come up with their drug combinations, i.e., I was on Ibrance/Letrozole and when it stopped working was put on Faslodex (injected)/Afinitor. But I've seen Faslodex/Ibrance combos and many others. I wonder if it depends on the particular cancer (I'm mets BC) or is an institution or onco protocol, or? Can you shed any light on this? Thanks.

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There are many factors that contribute to the treatment protocol that is selected for YOU.
- Research and the latest evidence-based information available
- Your specific tumor type
- Your current medical status and ability to manage the side effects of some treatments
- Your medicial history and co-conditions, i.e., diabetes, autoimmune disease, bone health, etc.
- Your medication allergies
- Your previous cancer history
- Your family history and genetic history
- Your preferences, i.e., which side effects impact your quality of life negatively and which ones you may be able to tolerate.
- The goal of treatment: cure, control, comfort
- Insurance coverage and financial considerations
- etc.

This is why treatment may not be the same as another woman with the same cancer type. It depends.

You may also find this article from Mayo Clinic helpful in understanding the valuable contributions patients make in their treatment decisions:

- Cancer treatment decisions: 5 steps to help you decide https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-treatment/art-20047350

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 2, 2022
In reply to @windyshores "I watched a great presentation on meds for MBC on EMBRACE. It is on YouTube. In..." + (show)
@windyshores

I watched a great presentation on meds for MBC on EMBRACE. It is on YouTube. In the meantime we can look forward to Colleen's answer 🙂

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Is this the video you are referring to @windyshores ?


Biomarkers for Treatment and Progression | 2021-2022 EMBRACE MBC Virtual Forum Series
"Caroline Block, MD, presents practical information on how Dana-Farber oncologists follow patients’ disease progression and work with patients living with metastatic breast cancer to make treatment decisions. Dr. Block covers topics such as scans, blood tests and tumor markers: when, why, and how they are used and the frequencies for each. The discussion includes areas of research including circulating tumor DNA based assays."

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