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Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole
Breast Cancer | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (1931)Comment receiving replies
I was mistake know'st back in January of 2017. Needless to say one lumpectomy later and lymphnode removal stage 2b right breast. At 32 left breast lumpectomy adenosis. 48 years old history widow maker survivalist with a cabg LAD at 44. Cervical Ca at 44 with hysterectomy and one ovary removed. Worked as a nurse every weekend 36 hours a week during radiation. Tamoxifen wasn't working and I guess that's why I had no side effects. Took this during radiation. Oophorectomy 2 months ago back to work two weeks later on Anastrozole. I am so fatigued, aches and pains, leg swelling, nausea and palpitations. Just so exhausted. Does anyone have any suggestions to help with this? It gets worse when I get home from work. I am waiting for my follow up next month with oncologist to see how the medicine is working. I also have another question. Can you get a mastectomy after lumpectomy and lymph node removal? Because I was misdiagnosed with stage 1 no lymph node involvement I choose that option. If I had known stage 2b lymph node involvement I would have a mastectomy.
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@oleander
My heart aches for all that you have been through. I'm surprised that you oncologist did not recommend chemo at some point as the chemo supposedly kills off the circulating cancer micro cells which might have helped.
With respect to the Anastrozole: Are you wearing support hose to help with the leg swelling? Have you asked your oncologist to switch your AI to see if an alternative might help? The arthralgia (bone and joint aches) comes from the Anastrozole, and there likely is nothing you can do about it except to exercise daily which seems to help some of us.
As to a preventive-mastectomy, and if your oncologist agrees, just make sure (via your surgeon's office) that your health insurance will agree to it. Best of luck in future (and luck always has something to do with it, I fear).