Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I have DCIS and had a lumpectomy and radiation. The oncologist suggested anastrozole (Arimidex) and after reading all of the people's issues, your post is heartening. Since it has been almost two years since you have been taking this, how are you feeling now? Any tips before I start taking this? Have you helped your bone loss in some way? I am not a smoker, only take vitamins, rarely drink, eat healthy, work fulltime and very active. Bone soreness is something I can handle, bone loss is concerning. Any helpful advice is appreciated!

When I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer almost 4 years ago a bone scan showed that the cancer was definitely in my bones. My oncologist started me immediately on a once monthly shot of xgeva. My current bone scans have shown significant improvement in my bones. I am now on a quarterly shot of xgeva. It is very expensive (about $2,000 per shot) but my secondary insurance and medicare cover the cost. I also eat a Tums daily along with several vitamin pills. I was on arimidex for 3 years but it quit working for me so I am now on a monthly shot of faslodex. It seems to be doing the job. Some hair thinning seems to be my main symptom - I have started using a hair thickening shampoo. I have some bone and joint pain but take two Advil pills a day. So far, so good. Best wishes.

Hi i am a new member and have just been taken off Anastrazole took it for one yr. to my knowledge had no side affects, however it did not shrink the tumor in my brst thus the Dr. is putting me on Ibrance which i have not rec.d yet as it is mailed to my Pharmacy. i am losing hair however this could be due to my age as i am in mid 70's. feel fine so far plus take Flavadex and Xgeva injections as well for the tumor. hopefully this will help you as far as Anastrazole, i waited to long in going to a Canc Dr. and the tumor had already advanced in size, i certainly would not have waited as long as i did to take care of this, thought i was healing it through natural means.

Hello @starrlight,

I'm so sorry to learn about your condition, but glad that you've come to Connect. Thank you so much for sharing your history; I know that your insight is much appreciated.

According to Mayo Clinic, metastasized cancers can become resistant to hormone-blocking therapies, and Ibrance (Palbociclib) is one of a new group of medications that can be added to make the cancer cells respond to hormone treatments. You can read more about it here: http://mayocl.in/2kV4c4g
Xgeva (Denosumab) injection is used to treat bone loss in women with breast cancer who are receiving cancer treatment: http://mayocl.in/2l6zqaz

@wandering, you have spoken in some detail about Xgeva and Faslodex; do you have any advice or suggestions?

Yes, I have posted about Xgeva and Faslodex but here goes. I starting getting Xgeva injections when I was first diagnosed in September 2013. The goal of this drug is to halt bone loss caused by the metastatic breast cancer. I believe my bone scans show that this has happened and much of the cancer in my bones has gone away. While I was in jeopardy of broken bones when first diagnosed, I think the Xgeva has stopped this. I was on a once monthly injection for about two years and get an injection every three months. Faslodex: When first diagnosed, I was not on Faslodex but Arimidex. When the Arimidex stopped working (shown by a drastic increase in my tumor markers - CA 27-29) my oncologist started me on a monthly injection of Faslodex. The CA 27-29 was 225 in June 2016 and has gone down monthly to 69.9. While I do not enjoy the Faslodex injections (two large needles) I do like the results. The plan is to stay on this until it stops working. I think I have been pretty fortunate - I have had very few bad side effects from any of the drugs I have been on since diagnosed. My hair does seem to be thinning - not sure if that is age (72), heredity or drugs. I can live with that. Hope this gives you some insight.

Hi Kanaazpereira,So nice to hear from you and appreciate your concern.  I have no advice on the two drugs mentioned above, have taken then for over one year, just had a PT. scan two weeks ago, and according to the Dr. no new cancer and guess it has come to a halt which i am very thankful for.  Have had no side affects that i am aware of from them.  The Brst Canc. had progressed to a large tumor as did not address it soon enough.Do you have breast Canc? Awaiting the Ibrance, the Dr. wanted me to have a break after quitting Anastrozole, you know i truly do not dwell on the canc in this body, however talking to others that have Canc. also makes it a reality and helps us to come to a point to continue the fight to overcoming it, their are so many new Techniques on canc that coming up everyday.May you have a wonderful day, thanks for the above information.Starrlight

Hi,would like to hear from you especially if you would like to talk.Have a great day,starrlight

Hi Wandering,Sounds life you are on the road to a soon recovery that is awesome, stay on your path it is the right one as you have all these positive results.  As far as your hair goes i will share with you this wonderful woman who also has or had canc.  Holly Rose she has grants for wigs that she offers to Brst canc. women, i have rec'd one from her and if was a good one .  there is no cost to the patient, if you are interested please go here  checkforalump.org  she is in Az, however think she can offer this to anyone in any State, once you have been approved she will suggest a wig shop for you to go to in your State, i will contact her as well to make sure.  Thank you for the info above, i do not like the Faslodex shots either one in each buttock, i was told by the canc Dr. i go to that this injection was to keep the canc. from spreading anymore, as i to have metastatic in my spine, my Dr. says one thing and the nurse says something else, says that this shot was to work on tumor in my rectum!!!!!!!  i research a lot online as have had so many different diagnosis from so many different dr's,  however had a CT scan two weeks ago and according to the canc. Dr. it has halted and not spread, the Xgeva must be working as well, the only thing that did not work was the Anastrozole, as was told that was suppose to shrink the Brst tumor.  Will be starting the Ibrance pill which is chemo, i fought this as do not want chemo have researched it and it is a very scary drug the IV yet there are so many that have come through it if canc. is caught in the beginning.Have an enlightening Daystarrlight

Thanks for the wig information. I don't need one yet. We are snowbirds. The hospital at our summer place has a service for free wigs. Their supply is pretty low right but they should be getting some in soon according to the nurse navitator. It is my understanding that at this time metastatic breast cancer is not "curable". My hope is to keep it under control and enjoy my life as much as possible. If some of the facilities I go to (labs, etc.) could get their stuff together it would make my life much easier. When I have to do things over and over and over it's very frustrating - i.e. spend 30 minutes registering every time I go to the lab, then wait an hour to get my labs done only to have to request results several times - what a waste of time. These are issues with our winter facility - the guys at our summer place in Montana are excellent. Still working through getting the winter labs organized - have changed locations for my blood work next month so we will see how that goes. Should be pretty simple - take blood, send the results to my oncologist, post on the patient portal. So far this has not happened but I am eternally hopeful. It's raining here in southern Arizona so I am enjoying my quiet time inside. Best wishes to all.

Hi, sent you the wrong email add. this is her web add. just in case or you know someone.  identify with you on the runaround it tends to wear me out at times however i just have today to get through and thankful when i do.  try to stay positive however sometimes it is hard and not realistic yet when i talk to someone on Connect it is real as want to help make their life happier however need to be realistic.sounds like you live in the mtns. i had thought about moving to showlow in fact a mgr. of apts there called me the other day, it is beautiful yet very cold.Hope to talk to you again and will keep in touch.starrlighthere is her site http://checkforalump.org Holly Rose