Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I had some symptoms when I first started taking Anastrazole but after three months they've calmed down. Bone pain and depression is almost gone but I'm wondering if my acid reflux flare-up is caused by this new med? Anyone else?

@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).

@islandelder
I, too, have had a flare-up of acid reflex, but I have been attributing it to a supplement I've been taking for my neuropathy and I take a Beano with it which seems to help. Have you started anything new since the initiation of Anastrozole? (Nothing surprises me, however, as Mayo lists something like 80 possible side effects of Anastrozole....) Just don't be tempted to take one of those OTC acid reflux pills long-term as they are anticholinergic.

My hair is growing on the sides and in the back not real fast on the top thin hair no bald spots no hot flashes worse arthritis in my fingers losing weight on anastrozol i eat once a day. I don’t think i can take this for five more years

@islandelder
One more tip re acid reflux which didn't occur to me the other day (because I've been doing it for so long, I guess)... sleep on your left side. Stomach acid will empty and not flow back into your esophagus (which can happen when you sleep on your right side).

@ellenveragilmor
My hair returned similarly, but that also may be because of my age. Many women's hair thins on top as they age and it likely was thinning before chemo. As to worsening arthritis and weight loss on anastrozol, I would encourage you to speak to your oncologist and ask if you can switch to another AI and see if that helps (there are several other choices). I also lost weight at first with anastrozole, and then my weight leveled-off after 8-9 months. I attributed the leveling-off to the initiation of a strenuous exercise program which helped me sleep better, eat more, and regain lost muscle mass.

Omg, I took 2 times at 3 week periods...thought I was going to die! The second time I tried I could barely get out of bed anymore! I have fibromyalgia and thought that was painful...ha!
I could barely move my fingers. Needless to say after reading through all my paperwork and finding I am at a 3% chance of recurrence and due to quality of life I have chosen to take nothing! I have 4 grandsons and want to be able to get down on the floor and play with them not lay in bed for the next 5-10 years!
My oncologist is not happy but my primary and pharmacists say otherwise-they know me!
It is a tough call.
Blessings and hugs

Yes, I am wondering if it will eventually go away or lessen. I also wonder how people are dealing with it. Do you take it at night or in the morning?

Did you lose your hair on letrolzole?

Weighing in (right smack dab in the middle of this)......I couldn't take the AI's........got all the side effects and then some. I have a 7% chance of recurrence and my oncologists (all 4 so far) finally agreed that I should just move on. It's a tough decision because you sure don't want cancer again but some of us can't tolerate the meds either. Hugs on the tough decision. I hope mine is right but I won't know for some time (if ever). p.s. I lost my hair anyway and I had great hair. Now I have spindly, sad hair but I've learned to let it go and embrace my winning personality. The changes, the decisions, the stress.........it's a triple whammy this cancer journey.