Timing of HRT, anastrozole - taking day or night?

Hi! I have been on Anastrozole for 7 months. I take mine at night. I have had no issues with bone pain. My hair is thinner. It used to be very thick. I get very thirsty so lots of water. Just had blood work done and no issues with cholesterol, no high blood pressure.
I know I am fortunate as many women have side effects but I would say just try it and if you have problems then look at a different med but definitely try it. Hope you do well on it. 💖

In the six months taking anastrozole I experience some joint pain, occasional hot flashes or night sweats. Always take it at night.
In the last 3weeks my head/scalp started itching at night. It’s becoming worse and not just my scalp. My oncologist/nurse said I could take an allergy medicine but wasn’t concerned. And said it wasn’t a known side effect.

@artist439
Oh my, my original post was in 2019 and I've had a few changes since then! Started with the anastrozole but the bone pain was so great for me, I could barely move and prior to that I was a daily 3-mile walker as well as walking in the hills on weekends. My doctor switched me to letrozole which was only slightly better for me and finally to exemestane where I have been since then with very few problems. So for anyone out there, if you have problems with your aromatase inhibitor, don't hesitate to have a conversation with your oncologist. Everyone's body reacts differently...if one doesn't work, don't feel guilty or ashamed, speak up and find a solution! I'm almost at my 5-year cancer diagnosis and will be having a conversation soon whether I need to go another 5 years on these pills due to the aggressive nature of my second tumor (neuroendocrine). Best wishes to all out there...carpe diem!

Do the hot flushes occur if you are have no reproductive organs ( ie after complete hysterectomy.Thank you

@joybryson yes, the estrogen that is addressed by aromatase inhibitors comes from adrenal glands.

I started taking anastrozole in March and had just about every side effect known. Completely nauseous for weeks plus nasty taste in my mouth and hot flashes and bone pain in my hands. Tried it at night and switched to mornings. I've found the best time for me is to take it at lunch right after eating. Still have some side effects but not unbearable. One of my doctors said to try taking half at night and half in the morning but for me, this was a lot to remember. I don't think that is the approved dosage method but I thought it was an interesting suggestion. On a broader level, I wish you a cancer-free future. Big hug.

I can relate to that!

I too was taking it at night and I switched to after lunch as well. I don't know if that helped decrease the intensity of my side effects or my body adjusted, but I saw a difference. I still have them but it's more manageable

Everyone is different but we are in this fight together!
Keep fighting for "cancer free futures"
💕

I’ve been in Anastrozole fir 18 months and my major side effect is back pain.

I started on Anastrozle March 2019. I was 72 at the time and for the next 3 years I was also taking anti inflammatory medication Mobic for my arthritis. I decided, with my doctor, to cut back drastically on the Mobic as it can have serious side effects, even though I had been taking it for well over 10 years, about 3 times per week. The arthritis is in my hip and knee, a completely different pain to side effects of Anastrozle. Within a week the pain was quite unbearable in my shoulders, arms, hands, neck and ribs. I took Panadol osteo 3 times a day. It took the edge off the pain. Then the pain spread to my hips, knees, feet and ankles. My oncologist said I could have a break for 6 weeks but it would be added on at the other end. For the last 6 months I have been taking Anastrozle just before I go to bed. I find it hard to go to sleep but the pains have virtually gone during the day. A year ago I was at the stage of giving up after 4 years but I just felt I couldn’t give in and now I am glad I didn’t. It’s worth a try to change from morning to night it worked for me. Good luck.

I am interested in knowing why Claritin works on joint pain. I have horrible hand/wrist/thumb pain.
My oncologist switched me from exemestane to a anastrozole to if that would help but it did not.
I do not want to stop taking it, I just really want something to ease the pain a bit and the Claritin sound doable
without another pill causing side effects. Thank you for posting.