Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I am also taking Letrazole and my side affects have been very minimal.

Thanks for this suggestion! I start Letrozole next week as my oncologist likes to wait 2 weeks post radiation. (ILC, 57 years, Stage 1, 1.8 cm, ER+). I've never heard of the Breast Cancer Index- I am scheduled to see nurse practitioner after being on Letrozole for 3 months. I'm anxious after reading side effects - I do have osteopenia - has anyone tried Glucosamine Chondroitin to help with bone/joint pain? I'm also taking 2000mg Vit D3 and trying to get 1500 mg Calcium daily.

I’m taking Anastrozole ( one of the three AInhibitors) now in month 10. I was worried about side effects but worried about cancer recurrence much more!

Not everyone has the side effects listed. I think it’s always good to try if your health team recommends AI treatment.

I have very mild joint discomfort… which I can alleviate with stretches, yoga and walking. I don’t take a joint supplement.

At 72 some joint discomfort is not completely unusual. I also have mild osteopenia in hips SO, I am doing a repeat DEXA at 12 mos ( vs 24) to monitor and mitigate any dips in bone health ( which is fairly common, but not a given, on these meds). I do also take 1000-2000 mg D3, K2, and get almost all calcium from food. I do supplement 200 mg calcium malate.

It’s definitely a process and a journey. So glad to be part of this helpful informative group. Hope this is helpful to you. Let us know how it works out for you. 🌸

@semurray the Breast Cancer Index is done after 5 years of hormonal therapy.

@anjalima I had a dip in bone density after one year of letrozole, but after that it eased quite a bit. Similar to the drop after menopause.

Thank you. That’s reassuring. 🌸

I have stage 4 metastized breadt cancer er snd or positive. I have been using joint ease which contains chondritin, msm, glucosimine and tumeric fir a few years. Wirks very well. Does not interfere with iBrance and letrozole even with the tumeric

What side effects do you have from letrozole?

The only side effects I have had is some joint pain. It is once in awhile. Maybe once a month. I can take an aleve and it takes it away. Other than that nothing else . No heat flashes or other effects. I hope this helps you. I also take my Letrazole about 5-7 pm every evening.

I’ve been taking it for 6 months. Occasional hot flashes, I have achey joints anyway so I can’t really contribute that discomfort to the medication.

I was on Letrozole for 9 months w/only hot flashes. (Oncologist #1). Off for chemo and radiation and onc #2 put me on Anastrozole. Within 6 months I was having joint pain and at 12 months barely able to do stairs or get up and down from seated position. Onc #3 switched me to Letrozole at half dose and I added a collagen supplement. Joint pain gone except for occasional twinge. I had a 30 day break to try to determine side effects. I noticed definite mood improvement, less insomnia (although it's better than before break), cognitive function, flashes improved. I also believe Letrozole has caused minor hair thinning, but 30 days won't show that. After reading other comments here, I want to monitor other possible side effects when oncologist approves next 30 day break. He said it was possible to take a break perhaps every 6 months. I'm 2 1/2 years in, so I imagine next break will depend on my next 6 month check-up.