What happens when you stop taking anastrozole?

Noone told me to but I tapered off letrozole .

I figured anything hormonal might need a gradual transition. I have no idea if that is actually true 🙂

Things will most likely ease up as your body adjusts. Hope so! Good luck with your surgery!

I am on anastrozole and it’s wrecking my bones.
How did you taper off?
I have 8 months to go taking it.

Every other day, after that I don't remember...maybe every 24 hours, then 36, then 48 and stopped when three days without. Not a big deal tape, just a gentle landing. Again, no doc told me to do this and they will probably tell you it is not necessary. It does no harm!

A year ago I had similar circumstances. I took anastrozole for six months prior to surgery in order to shrink the tumors. When I started taking anastrozole, I had overwhelming fatigue from then on. My blood pressure went up, and I experienced insomnia for the first time ever. I stopped anastrozole several weeks before surgery, and within three days I felt great. I had energy and slept really well. I felt better than I had in over six months. I restarted a week after surgery and those side effects came back quickly. It made me question resuming it again. Because my tumors were 97% estr/pro positive, my oncologist strongly recommended it.

If you are experiencing these side effects from stopping them, you need to let your health providers know. You don’t want to go into surgery with these symptoms ongoing. I have found health care providers will do whatever necessary to get you past any problems you are having. Good luck with this and I pray for a positive surgery.

I am new to this site and also have questions about Anastrozole. I’ve been on it 3.5 years now, and am scheduled to take it for 5 years. I’m VERY concerned about bone loss and have many of the side effects. My doctor won’t even talk with me about stopping it early, and I feel she’s not listening to me. If I make it to the 4 year mark, what is the cancer reoccurrence vs the continued side effects? I really, really want to be done with this medication.

When a doctor won't talk to you about a concern, it might be time to get second opinion. I would suggest that. Also, do remember that no matter what anyone else says--you yourself are the final judge of what you will and will not do. More information should be helpful, and then come to a reasonable decision. Wishing you the best with this.

I have been taking Anastrozole for 4.5 years. I am due to stop in January 31, 2023. I can hardly wait. Because of all the side effects I am experiencing; muscle aches and pain, hair loss, constipation, bone loss; I would like to begin to taper off in order to find out if it is the true cause of my bone density issues and all the rest. I have been told by docs to take Reclast to help with my bone loss. But it is a drug with side effects and that worries me. I do not want to compound the problems I am already experiencing. I would personally like to get off of it and then see if my condition improves. But am I playing Russian roulette with my bones? I am just scared of taking the Reclast. I was also informed not to stop taking Anastrozele early. And I so want to be done with it, too!
I am in the same boat as you. I wish I had advice but I am doing what you are. I can't wait to be done!

I was not able to take Reclast during letrozole. Most people do take it during aromatase inhibitor treatment. I did Tymlos for 18 months after cancer treatment and my bone density is now better than it was. Unfortunately, it was delayed due to COVID and I had several painful debilitating fractures. It truly is Russian Roulette.

Thank you!

Thank you! I feel better now, but the first week off was weird. Surgery tomorrow.