Completed 5 years of anastrozole. Withdrawal symptoms? Side effects?

Yes! I had terrible plantar fasciitis. I kept plugging along and went to a local podiatrist who didn't think there was a connection between Anastrozole and Plantars. I didn't think to mention it to my oncologist. Who wants to bother an oncologist with foot problems. I was very wrong and when I mentioned it, it was a year later. By that time the inflammation in my feet were causing other problems and I must now have foot surgery. My oncologist said definitely there was a link between the Anastrozole and plantars and she put me on Exemestane. Have only been on Exemestane for 2 months but no change. My lesson learned is to mention everything going on in your body to your oncologist. Having foot problems was much worse for me than the other side effects. Not being able to walk is a total Quality of Life issue. I should have been more proactive!! You can bet I now am! I call about everything. I'm tired of hurting with the joint pain and fatigue. I am looking into complementary therapies like acupuncture and massage. My oncology office did not offer much information on either but are helping me find qualified people to do the therapies. There are some successful programs dealing with these side effects and they tend to be around teaching hospitals. I haven't settled on a program yet, still gathering information but I am getting closer. There is a great podcast from an oncologist acupuncturist explaining acupuncture and what it can do for us. My research hasn't uncovered testosterone as a help for side effects but research it and talk to your oncologist and perhaps give it a try. We ladies are charting a new path and one that the oncologists aren't trained in. We may have to be educating them. Mine welcomed the podcast on acupuncture. Here it is.
The podcast will be at the bottom of your screen.
https://www.breastcancer.org/about-you/in-treatment#section-complementary-therapies

I too just finished five years of anastrazole following. 32 radiation treatments I am exhausted. Regular coffee mid afternoon is the only thing that helps. No serious side effects with anastrazole so I a. Grateful. I am 75 years old could be just that. I sleep great now

I walked every morning 15-30 minutes as instructed by oncologist had no
Muscle pains. Good luck great drug of choice by most doctors unless you have osteoporosis

I always took at night. They say may cause tired so I chose to be tired at night no brainer. I did fine with anastrazole but I only had osteopenia. It can causes bone loss

Seems from reading @chris2024 that might be the 5 year goal prescribed when she start taking the drug.

I was on Letrozole, then Anastrazole and back to Letrozole. I believe the side effects were pretty much the same for me. Research online revealed for Letrozole that .5 mg was effective although normal dosage is 2.5 mg. I think I posted the information for both drugs on another thread here last month. To the point, my oncologist gave me the green light to take it every other day. On top of that he gave me a 30 day vacation from the pill. He also said that after the "stay" that it took only 2 weeks to get back to full efficacy in your body. I'm 3 years out with 2 to go. I successfully fought joint pain with collagen supplements, but it's the cognitive, mood and sleep issues that only lessen with time off. My oncologist is moving across the country but said in light of my issues that I should try to find an on/off schedule that works for me including total off. He would, of course, prefer that I not choose the last option. I hope this helps.

Thank you for I your details! I have been on Anastrozole for only 7 days with only increased need for a nap. Nice to be aware of healthy options for alleviating side effects.

I am wondering if medication is effective if we don't have the side effects that come from estrogen deprivation! I told my doc that the letrozole insert says 20% of the usual dose basically puts estradiol below detectable levels, and my doc said I could do it every other day but I never did.

I am curious if taking it alternate days brings the same side effects. If not I would worry it wasn't working! I may be wrong on this!!

Actually my fatigue seems to be worse after stopping anastrazole. It’s challenging. Others too?!

I had a right breast mastectomy for IDC, stage 1, grade 1 in August 2022. I took letrozole prior to surgery for a few months because of the delay between diagnosis and surgery. I continue on letrozole but my most recent right hip pain and muscle spasms in that area have me concerned. The oncologist and surgeon both felt that if it is not consistent, it does not need to be evaluated. What’s consistent? Almost every day, but not all day, with certain movements, a brief painful spasm occurs. Is that consistent?. Neither doctor will order a scan because they felt it was unnecessary. I continue on the meds until something more happens. Is that the right approach or do I need to be more demanding for additional testing?