Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I am having severe hand pain as well. Fortunately, on Tuesday I get to see a physical medicine and rehab doctor at U of M who specializes in cancer patients. Hopefully he will have some suggestions on ways to get the pain in my hands and hips to abate. Good luck to you!

@brianphilip and @elizm, side effects are tricky. Everyone reacts differently. You're quite right @brianphilip when you said that Tamoxifen will have the least side effects *in your case*. Because he is your doctor, he has your full medical record and history and is able to knowledgeably make that assessment. And it seems he was correct as you are luckily experiencing few to no side effects.

@elizm is also right. For many women, AIs offer fewer side effects than tamoxifen, but some of the side effects that women do experience from AIs are really difficult, causing some to change to a different AI or to stop altogether.

The most important thing to remember is to discuss side effects with your cancer care team. There may be alternatives, like switching to or from tamoxifen or changing the AI or, depending on your risk factor, reducing the length of time of treatment. Or, yet again, there may be help in managing the side effects.

I was on anastrozole for 2 months and had to go off due to many of the side effects . One month off and I still have problems with shoulder , wrist swelling and severe enough pain to keep me awake . My dr is not going to put me on a different one . I do know a lady on it for a year at my church and she seems fine . It wouldn’t hurt to try it . Don’t assume you will be affected till you are

My side effects have been ‘brain fog’, forgetfulness, and memory loss. Has anyone else experienced this? My issues started a few weeks after I started on anastrozole.

@guntherbear You are one of the few here who have mentioned memory loss. I have been on anastrozole for 3 months and have noticed memory loss and ‘brain fog’ also. It’s very frustrating but I’d also rather have that than cancer.

@lisman1408

I'm only a some time user on this very good website....I am coming up on my 2 year mammogram. I completed lumpectomy surgery for a stage 2 breast cancer in January 2017. I completed 37 radiation treatments and then began Arimidex in MAy 2017. It hasn't been all that pleasant, but breast cancer isn't either. I would trade hot flashes and body pains for the assurance that my cancer is under control......Not much more I can add at this point. Until that next mammogram shows up negative, I will not rest easy.

I hate to say it but I am glad I am not the only one with the memory issues 😊. It is so frustrating at home and at work. I actually pretend that I remember what my co-workers or family are talking about when they say “do you remember when ...”

Molly, I had my two year mammogram on Dec 21. They took two hours and came back asking me to get a biopsy after the first of the year. Needless to say the word "recurring" scared me to death. I had my biopsy on the 8th, then 4 more days of stressful waiting! Thankfully, it was benign!! Keep the faith even when you are going to dark places.

Thank You!!! I very much appreciate your response! I’m so frustrated with it. My husband thinks I’m going crazy. I also pretend to understand sometimes.