Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I was on two other meds before Aremedex and they both gave me horrible joint pain. Just like you explained,gives me also terrible fatigue that hits hard around 2 in the afternoon and by the time U get off work at my very easy office job I could just go straight home and go to bed for the night and skip supper every nite. But I have a husband who likes supper even though he makes it a lot because I am so tired and slow. I will keep taking the medication because I believe it will give me a better chance of staying cancer free.

I just discovered this discussion group today. I was diagnosed with stage 1A breast cancer in July 2016. I have been off and on Anastrozole since January 2017. I have had serious hand pain in my right hand only. My ring finger is the worst, stiff and clicking. usually improves as the days goes on. About a week ago my right thumb suddenly started to ache and click when I flex it to the point where I have to take ibuprofen to be comfortable doing routine tasks like peeling potatoes. I have also had a lot of trouble with my eyes sticking shut while I'm sleeping and having to literally pry them open during the night when it wakes me up. Dry eyes the eye doctor told me and said I should use eye drops, etc. This is helping a little. I was switched to Exemestane for about two months and nothing improved. I went off everything for about 6 weeks this summer and the hand pain decreased but the eye problem did not. I have now been back on Anastrozole for about two months, and now the hand is getting even worse than it was before. Legs starting to hurt while sleeping. No hair thinning that I have noticed. Eyes the same. I have an appt. with oncologist i November and will evaluate going off the drug. Will this get better if I stay on for six months? I am afraid the hand pain is becoming permanent.

I had extreme pain and depression on all the aromatase drugs and was unable to take them for any length of time so I can't address those questions BUT, I do have a thought about your eye problem. For the past 10 years I have had 'dry eye'. It started during perimenopause and continues today (although not as bad). I believe dry eye can be a result of lowered estrogen in the body and hormonal changes. I use prescription eye drops that help my eyes retain and make more tears (there are two, Restassis and Xiidra). They have helped me immensely with this problem which isn't noticeable now, as long as I keep up with my meds. Perhaps a trip to your eye doctor for a 'dry eye' evaluation?

I saw the eye doctor for this and she suggested Restasis. I guess I’ll try it although I hate to add any more prescription drugs to my daily regimen. Thanks for the info about falling estrogen causing dry eyes.

The Restassis is pretty easy....a drop in each eye morning and night. You'll be pleased with the improvement, I sure was. The only problem with this one is the cost. I pay $200 for a 30 day supply. But, you can get a savings card to sign up for a discount from your doctor (not good if you're on Medicare though) and there is a second drug, Xiidra that may be cheaper. I may be switching to the Xiidra if my doctor will let me.

I am on Medicare, but my insurance covers it to the tune of about $100 for a 90 day supply, I think. I'm going to call the doctor's and see if they have any samples to try. They usually are pretty good about that.

That's good! Samples also good! I hope it works well for you. It has for me. At least it's one less thing irritating you when there are plenty with cancer.

Judy,
I was on Anastrozole for 10 months and steadily grew challenged at the prospect of taking it for another 4 years, because of joint pain. It has now been several weeks that I've switched to Exemestane, having given myself a couple weeks break between the change in drugs. My joint pain is almost non-existent on Exemestane, although my tolerance for heat is greater, but overall, I'm feeling lots better. I am experiencing no problems with my eyes and feel like I am having more success having switched. This is all good news for me, at this point, because I cannot take Tamoxofin.
I'm hoping you will also be able to tolerate one of the estrogen inhibiters and wish you every success. Keep up the fight!!!

My main issue is my stiff and aching fingers on my right hand only (so far). I have had one arthritic joint on my fore
Finger for years that doesn’t cause me much grief. About three weeks after starting anastrozole, my ring finger became stiff, started clicking, and really hurt. Stopped anastrozole for two weeks. No improvement. Started Exemestane. No improvement. Stopped meds altogether and fingers got better but issue was still there. Started Anastrozole again, and after about three weeks, my thumb joint seized up. Now I have three fingers on just the one hand hurting all the time. While I was off meds, I got sent to hand doctor. He decided I was getting carpal tunnel syndrome. When I asked about my finger, he said, “Oh that’s just arthritis.” I am beginning to think, at least with me, that Anastrozole can trigger a situation that has been simmering below the surface and then it’s hard to make it go away even when the drug is stopped. What was your experience with joint pain?

CORRECTION: ......my Intolerance to heat!