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.

meme5 | @meme5 | Jan 20, 2023

In reply to @artist439 "You sound like an amazing woman. Thank you for sharing!❤" + (show)

Thank you but I am no more amazing than any other cancer survivor who pulls themselves up by the bootstraps, looks cancer life in the face and says I can do this! I call my metastisis my interruption.

artist439 | @artist439 | Jan 20, 2023

In reply to @meme5 "Thank you but I am no more amazing than any other cancer survivor who pulls themselves..." + (show)

You're right of course. We are all amazing. My diagnosis was Nov 2021.
Surgery Dec. 20/21. Radiation treatments April 2022. May was the recovery month . Then my husband died June from Pulmonary Fibrosis. I was his caregiver. The cancer and treatment was a struggle but I was never sick enough to not cook and clean and care for him.❤
Life that summer was a bit of a blur after he passed away. Looking back it is amazing how we put one foot in front of the other and keep enjoying each new day of life.

The anastrozole has thinned my hair a bit, and I get tired and breathless easily, but I have had NO pain with it. Very grateful for that.

meme5 | @meme5 | Jan 20, 2023

In reply to @artist439 "You're right of course. We are all amazing. My diagnosis was Nov 2021. Surgery Dec. 20/21...." + (show)

I am very sorry for your loss and all you have been through. I hope this year brings you some happiness and good health.

anjalima | @anjalima | Jan 20, 2023

In reply to @gldilli "It’s discouraging to hear that a drug to help your bones (Fosamax) causes joint pain. I..." + (show)

I just called the local radiology clinic where I go. A DEXA is about $275 out of pocket. Insurance says every two years but I want to know if a trend is starting by one year.

5miler | @5miler | Jan 21, 2023

In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @cautiousoptimism. @tinalove asked this very question a little while ago, so I moved your message..." + (show)

How do I find the full thread about this?

Young@65 | @happyat65 | Jan 21, 2023

Yes, my hair is thinning.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 21, 2023

In reply to @5miler "How do I find the full thread about this?" + (show)

Welcome, @5miler
Here's the link to start reading the discussion thread from the beginning.
- Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-completed-all-treatments-for-breast-cancer-but-now-i-am-supposed/

eaglewings22 | @eaglewings22 | Jan 22, 2023

In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome, @5miler Here's the link to start reading the discussion thread from the beginning. - Concerned..." + (show)

Thank you for the thread link! I’ve been told by my MO that I will start anastrozole after I finish radiation at the end of February. I am lactose-sensitive and gluten-free, so have been doing a lactose-free/gluten-free for the last year which as dramatically decreased my arthritis symptoms. I now see that anastrozole has 65 mg of lactose in it, and letrozole has 45 mg! I do think these 2 AI’s have the best impact on invasive lobular (ILC) so I’m really torn. Anyone who is lactose-free taking anastrozole? Help!

windyshores | @windyshores | Jan 22, 2023

In reply to @eaglewings22 "Thank you for the thread link! I’ve been told by my MO that I will start..." + (show)

I have a dairy allergy (caseine) so that is a bit different. I also avoid gluten. Have you checked ingredients for all the manufacturers?
Teva and Accord tend to be good companies in terms of ingredients. There' s one other one that starts with R, sorry can't remember.

Young@65 | @happyat65 | Jan 22, 2023

Has anyone had an allergic reaction while taking anastrozide? I have had two angioedema reactions. The doctors thought it was connected to my blood pressure medicine, but angioedema is a side effect of anastrozide. No longer taking it till I go back to my oncologist.