1. < Breast Cancer

What happens when you stop taking anastrozole?

Posted by kamra @kamra, May 7, 2023

I've been taking anastrozole for six months to shrink tumors in preparation for surgery. I stopped taking it about a week and a half ago as the doctor ordered since my surgery is coming up. I've felt weird and not very well since stopping. I've been tired, kind of dizzy, and just not feeling myself. Anyone have experience with side effects when stopping Anastrozole? Thank you. I go back on it after surgery.

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Gini Pariseau | @ginip | May 10, 2023
In reply to @omer "I have been taking Anastrozole for 4.5 years. I am due to stop in January 31,..." + (show)
@omer

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!

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I am on a hiatus from Anastrozole because of side effect issues. I found this article in my effort on where I go from here. I am going to bring it up with my oncologist when I complete the 3 month hiatus I am currently on. I certainly feel our medical professionals should be making us aware of the many discussions out there instead of making us spend hours (sometimes at 3AM) desperately looking for alternative choices.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-019-0435-4
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kammcn | @kammcn | May 10, 2023
In reply to @kamra "Thank you! I feel better now, but the first week off was weird. Surgery tomorrow." + (show)
@kamra

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

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I am hoping and praying that your surgery goes smoothly. Take time for healing and resting after this step. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your health care team if you have problems or questions. This is “your” journey, so make sure to take care of “you”. Every part of this journey is one step at a time, and you have an important step behind you. I’m praying that your recovery goes well.

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kittyg16 | @kittyg16 | May 11, 2023
In reply to @lori501 "I am new to this site and also have questions about Anastrozole. I’ve been on it..." + (show)
@lori501

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.

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After my radiation treatment I started taking Anastrozole. My doctor started the Prolia shots right away to help protect my bones. You get the shots 2 times a year. The biggest concern is having dental work while on it. The timing has to be planned because of the bone growth in the jaws.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 19, 2023

@kamra and others, you may also be interested in these related discussions:
- Anastrozole: How long do side effects last once you've stopped? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anastrozole-side-effects-1/
- Completed 5 years of anastrozole. Withdrawal symptoms? Side effects? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stopping-anastrozole-after-5-years-withdrawal-symptoms/

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gpablom | @gpablom | Jul 10, 2023
In reply to @omer "I have been taking Anastrozole for 4.5 years. I am due to stop in January 31,..." + (show)
@omer

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!

Jump to this post

I'm done with Anastrozole next month...I cannot wait! So many side effects and poor quality of life. And we all know there is no guarantee that we won't have a recurrence. I have had 7 Reclast infusions in the past 5 years...just saw my osteoporosis specialist last month and he said my bone density looked great. Going into treatment with Anastrozole, I had osteoporosis...have reverted back to mild osteopenia. I don't need to continue with Reclast as long as I'm off Anastrozole. I'm a former RN, and was very concerned about the Reclast...if you have side effects...what then? The drug is in your body and there's nothing you can do. But, I knew I had to take that risk, because Anastrozole is hard on bones. I've had no problems with it, and when I had an infusion, I drank water before, so I wouldn't need another IV before the Reclast. Cut my time in the IV room...in and out in about a half hour. Anyway...good luck to you. For me...the Anastrozole has been the worst part of my treatment.

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joansroka | @joansroka | Sep 18, 2023

Has anyone had vaginal bleeding after stopping Anastrozole? I have been on it almost 10 years and chose to stop it and now have vaginal bleeding - any others?

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 30, 2023
In reply to @joansroka "Has anyone had vaginal bleeding after stopping Anastrozole? I have been on it almost 10 years..." + (show)
@joansroka

Has anyone had vaginal bleeding after stopping Anastrozole? I have been on it almost 10 years and chose to stop it and now have vaginal bleeding - any others?

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Hi @joansroka, have you mentioned the bleeding to your oncologist? Was it bleeding or more like spotting? Has it stopped now?

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joansroka | @joansroka | Sep 30, 2023

It was spotting and cramping and it has stopped. I saw my gynecologist and she did a biopsy and an ultrasound that showed no issues but I would still like my oncologist to check me out -

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phig510 | @phig510 | Oct 4, 2023

Hi there..ive recently stopped the Anastrozole after 15 mos due to elevated labs. Im feeling off...lightheaded, tired , and and just down. Repeating labs 8n 30 days to see if its the culprit. Ive never had elevated labs. So frustrated.

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1 reply
reneejean | @reneejean | Oct 5, 2023

I quit taking anastrozole after 5 years. I thought I would feel different and feel like my old self again but I haven't noticed any change after 10 months.

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