Do side effects of Hormone therapy get better in time?

In my experience side effects of all hormonal drugs get better over time. You also have the option of taking an AI on alternate days.

What Do you mean with AI on alternate days?

Most endocrine therapies are effective at a percentage of the normal dose, @windyshores has done some reading on this, meaning you could take them on alternate days giving you less side effects. That being said if it is effective there will be the side effects from the loss of hormones. The hot flashes and night sweats etc. similar to menopause.
I did not have unbearable side effects, but I did require some Zoloft every day in order to hold off the depression, that came with it. I also have had some bone loss due to the long term lack of hormones. I have certainly gotten less limber and strong over the years of endocrine treatment but I don’t have to ask if I have done everything possible to hold the cancer at bay.
Most of the initial side effects passed within a few months, only the menopausal symptom seemed to hang around.
What side effects are you experiencing? May I ask if you are pre or post menopausal?

I am pre menopausal. And I think the side effects are from the Lack of hormones. They occur with any med. I have severe depression and antidepressants don't help me.

Alternate days? Could you say more about this? I would like to learn more and read more about this option. I understand that Anastrozole has a half life of 50 hours and may hang out even more for older women. I would be in that category. Going to discuss with oncologist at next appointment. Thank you.

I’m on Anastrozole since early 2021 and side effects definitely better with time.

Very curious about this too.
I started tamoxifen a month ago and having a rough time of it. It is triggering other underlying conditions I have. Also beginning to wonder if I’m having an allergic reaction.

I had an allergic reaction to Tomoxifin. I broke out in itchy hives all over my body. I stopped taking the Tomoxifin right away. I went to an emergency allergy doctor and ended up on steroids to clear up the hives. About 10 days later, the hives were gone, and my oncologist switched me to Exemestane.

Hi, I am on the same hormone blocker E X. It works fine for me. However, I must have food before I take it. Otherwise, I won’t have to be sick to my stomach. I was also on chemo drug VERZERINO and had a very bad side effects, diarrhea bad cough weak. Oxygen level went down to dangerous levels of 90 heart rate elevated. Hemoglobin went down and up in the hospital. No I’m trying to find a done a drug that won’t be as damaging as this drug. I will not ever take it again does anybody have a drug chemo drug that hasn’t have side effects like this would be very helpful. If I can’t find one I won’t take anything and I just wait out my time to die.

I was 62 when diagnosed. Went on Anastrozole for about 12 months - but the joint pain in my hands was too severe and got the oncologist to change it to exemestane. Took about 3 or 4 months for the hand joint pain to resolve. I still have side effects of insomnia, weight gain, hot flashes, and the AI's suck the water out of your body - so dry hair, skin, etc. I only have 12 more months to hit my 5 years and I decided I'd try to go for it. She wanted me to take it for 10 years - but told her I would not continue after 5 years are done. She agreed that an additional 5 years would only improve my odds of reoccurrence by < .5%. Not worth it to me. Each person has to make that decision for yourself about the quality of your life - vs. the % chance of reoccurrence. Taking the AI reduces that percentage by half. So if your change of reoccurrence is 10% then it goes down to 5%. So if your % is very small - you need to take that into consideration as well. It's a very personal decision & you need to trust your doctor. Good luck.