Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I’m glad I’m not alone. After my 5 years is up in 2024 and if my cancer returns, I will find another oncologist.
Don’t make me out to be an idiot. I had to find out for myself because he wouldn’t listen.
I hope you are doing well and I wish you a happy and healthy life.

I also had my surgery in August and started Anastrozole in September. Didn’t think of when my 5 years will be arriving. 💪🏼❤️

I have been taking anastrozole for 6 months following a Grade One ductal carcinoma removal via lumpectomy last May. They said they got all of the cancer cells. I did not have radiation or chemo, but I really dislike the side effects of anastrozole and am considering going off it. I have an appt. next month with the onco. I will also ask about substitutions. I have a heightened level of anxiety, digestive disturbances and weight gain in spite of a moderate diet and walking. I took a three week vacation from the med [with the approval of my onco] before xmas because I was so stressed. I did not feel normal until two weeks later. I feel caught between a rock and a hard place re: continuing to take it or giving it up. According to my doc, I have a 6-7% chance of a recurrence without completing the course of med, and a 3% chance if I finish the whole 5 yr. course. Has anyone else faced this kind of decision. I am 74 and I dislike the thought of enduring these side effects for 4.5 more years. Would welcome any thoughts on the matter.

I just posted below and saw your question. I have been on anastrozole for 6 months following a lumpectomy. I still have a debate going on about whether to stop or try to continue. I have not yet had hair loss...[hope I didn't just jinx myself], but there are other side effects that I'm experiencing. Weight gain, fatigue, heightened anxiety, digestive disturbances, plus longer term worries about cognitive issues, memory problems and bone mass loss. Every day I have the debate about whether to stop or continue. Good luck with your decision.

@tenayalake86 I recently read an article about how surgeons should not say "we got it all." There is always the possibility of functional cancer cells that escaped. There really is no way to know unfortunately.

@perplexed I had to make all the arrangements for the Breast Cancer Index myself. This was in 2020 just before COVID hit. One of my oncologists loved the idea and said she was going to start using it. I believe it is now in the NCCN guidelines. I wondered if docs were now using it.

I had no choice considering my spinal fractures. I wanted to do 7 years because I read that 7 was as good as 10. But I did 5! The BCI was a firm no, which helped.

Thanks for your response. I guess that's why I need periodic blood tests and the anastrozole.

What kind of blood tests are you having?

I'm sorry I don't have that info in front of me atm. I get two blood tests done every 6 months. They are supposed to show presence or absence of enzyme changes related to the cancer and other data bits like vit D, which I was low on. That's important for your bone health. I have the folder in my car downstairs. I will post or reply more specifically when they're in hand. My specialist is also going to order a bone scan every year. I had my first one and it was fine, but that was a baseline test. He will monitor any changes. I'm still not sold on the med. I have two pages of questions to ask him next month. I do not like the side effects at all. I have high anxiety most of the time. Committing to the med is a daily thing with me.

@tenayalake86 don't bother getting anything out of the car. Nice of you! I was just wondering if you meant a test for cancer markers, which my doc doesn't do, and it seems yours doesn't either. I found side effects settled down but everyone is different. Hope yours do too!