Anastrozole Brain Fog

Hi whr
I have been on anastrazole for 2 years. Did fine for a while - recently complained to oncologist that i just felt horrible.
She felt side effects would have shown up at the beginning - I disagree as I believe our bodies change and the drug accumulates. What is peripheral edema?

I disagree with the oncologist, while mine was surprised it didn't begin sooner, I was trying to be positive. Peripheral edema is when your legs, ankles and feet swell. That is gone now. The body aches, fatigue and insomnia were really making life miserable, could barely walk.

I really agree with both of you @emeli13 and @whr , I don’t think that side effects have to show up right away. Especially since the whole point of the drug is to starve the cancer of estrogen. Lack of estrogen ages us prematurely and the side effects of aging don’t happen the day we enter menopause. Right? If they aren’t so bad to have to abandon the drug altogether, have you tried talking to your obgyn or primary care about helping with side effects?

Ted Talk on how menopause (and lower estrogen) affects the brain is on YouTube; but I can't post a link The title is "How menopause affects the brain | Lisa Mosconi"
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Patterns of Change in Cognitive Function With Anastrozole Therapy (2015)

CONCLUSIONS: Women with breast cancer had poorer executive functioning from the period before therapy through the entire first 18 months of therapy. A pattern of decline in working memory and concentration with initial exposure to anastrozole was observed. Women receiving anastrozole alone had a second deterioration in working memory and concentration from 12 to 18 months after therapy initiation. The longer term effects (>18 months) of anastrozole on cognitive function remain to be determined.
(couldn't post link - the journal is Cancer )

I thought I saw a different study with improvement in the middle period. I will try to find it!

@nyscof
Beside menopause, there is research being done to see if women who had total hysterectomy prior to 40s has effect on memory later in life. I was asked to participate in one of Mayo's study doing research on topic.

It is all related, decrease in estrogen due to AIs, menopause or hysterectomy may effect your brain.

Like many treatments for diseases, treatment vs side effects.

I did stop AI after breast cancer due to side effects.

Laurie

I've been on it since 2019 yes I feel horrible all the time. Everyone I spoke to even every doctor says the same thing. One of the side effects. I take lots of vitamins for the join pain.
from Nature Made glucosamine chondroitin complete with msm triple strength + D3 it helps it really does.

Well I thought all should know, after my complaint about absstrazole and feeling crappy. My oncologist persisted with scans and found a lesion on my iliac joint. I was redisgnosed with metastatic breast cancer after a biopsy in Dec 2021.

Sent from my iPhone

@nyscof, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to an article and a video with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the links you wanted to post is not spam. Please allow me to post them for you.

"How menopause affects the brain | Lisa Mosconi"

This is the article I cited on one thread. Note this paragraph:

"Six to 12 Months After Anastrozole Initiation

Paradoxically, the deterioration in visual working memory and concentration that occurred with the initial 6 months of anastrozole was followed by improved performance inthese domains at 12 months. In comparison with controls, women in the chemotherapy-anastrozole and anastrozolealone groups performed better 12 months after anastrozole initiation. this interval. Their reproductive hormone levels likely remain low with continued therapy. This may reflect compensation for the cognitive changes initially experienced...

Of course before and after this period, there is decline.

I will watch the video but just want to comment that I have read- can't cite_ that there are other brain changes as we age - perhaps not valued as much, that may contribute to wisdom and perspective. Hard to test for! And long term memory can sharpen.