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Aromatase Inhibitors: Did you decide to go on them or not?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: May 12, 2023 | Replies (1190)Comment receiving replies
I started to write back to you, and somehow must have erased the reply in the process of finding online references. I believe there are some therapies for bone loss [Fosamax?} but none for cognitive decline. I will say that there are various 'camps' online...some saying no effect on cognitive ability and some saying the opposite, especially from 12 to 18 months after starting AI.. I've tried to concentrate on .edu and other well-known, reliable sources.
I don't know how cognitive decline is measured, and I don't know if I'd notice it myself, either in others or myself. Some studies have put forth the idea that the stress of the diagnosis may contribute. There's a catch-22!. I'm still up in the air and I need to discuss this further with my dr. It's not my purpose to persuade or dissuade you; I'm just interested in hearing various points of view. Thanks for sharing yours.
Here's another reference to memory loss from https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/cncr.29393:
"...Twelve to 18 Months After Anastrozole Initiation
However, from 12 to 18 months, the anastrozole-alone
group again exhibited a decline in working memory and a
trend toward a deterioration in concentration...."
Replies to "I started to write back to you, and somehow must have erased the reply in the..."
Thanks for the link and your comment. I stopped anastrozole after one morning last week when I had trouble getting out of bed and walking. Joint aches are a known side effect but this was scary. The joint stiffness did largely go away in a day or two. I called the onco's office. Was told to stop the med until I see him in mid-March. I also am having trouble being constantly hungry. I was told it was weight-neutral but not so in my case.
Sorry if I'm repeating myself: I also have high anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping. My body seems to take time to rid itself of the AI. Cognitive decline/memory loss is indeed hard to assess. I don't know whether what I have is normal aging or not. I will check out the link you provided. Thanks.
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@kchiavetta86 As always, I urge people to read the entire study. I could pick out a quote that is more reassuring such as:
"Women in both breast cancer groups had poorer executive functioning before and during therapy that did not appear to be influenced by treatment. Multiple mechanisms, including changes in inflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitter dysregulation, stress, and mood, may explain this persistently poorer executive functioning."
Also, while memory and concentration declined in the first 6 months and months 12-18, it actually improved in months 6-12.
In other words, the conclusion in the study is quite complex. I would also add that these meds treat cancer. Frankly, I would choose a "subtle" (the study uses this word) dip in cognition over cancer!
A lot more well-designed studies are needed, including whether these subtle changes rebound after treatment is over. I have to say, I feel fine, after 5 years, but everyone is different.