1. < Breast Cancer

Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Posted by tinalove @tinalove, Jan 31, 2016

I completed all treatments for breast cancer but now I am supposed to take hormone blocker, named anastrozole. im concerned about the side effects. Has anyone here taken it and did anyone have hair loss?

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kwanless | @kwanless | Feb 1, 2019

I have been on Anastrozole for a year and a half. I can’t handle it anymore. I went from few wrinkles to a face full of wrinkles. I have such vaginal dryness sex is out of the question. My joints ache. My fingers won’t bend. All of this for an added 9% chance my cancer won’t come back. No! I’m done! Just trying to figure out how long it will be before the side affects go away! Kathy

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2 replies
trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Feb 1, 2019
In reply to @kwanless "I have been on Anastrozole for a year and a half. I can’t handle it anymore...." + (show)
@kwanless

I have been on Anastrozole for a year and a half. I can’t handle it anymore. I went from few wrinkles to a face full of wrinkles. I have such vaginal dryness sex is out of the question. My joints ache. My fingers won’t bend. All of this for an added 9% chance my cancer won’t come back. No! I’m done! Just trying to figure out how long it will be before the side affects go away! Kathy

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kwanless - I am so sorry you are going through all of that. I'm finishing up my radiation and have to make a decision on HRT meds. It's just enough getting over of having cancer, then having chemo, surgery, and radiation. Yuck!

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1 reply
kwanless | @kwanless | Feb 1, 2019
In reply to @trixie1313 "kwanless - I am so sorry you are going through all of that. I'm finishing up..." + (show)
@trixie1313

kwanless - I am so sorry you are going through all of that. I'm finishing up my radiation and have to make a decision on HRT meds. It's just enough getting over of having cancer, then having chemo, surgery, and radiation. Yuck!

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I was lucky that I just needed radiation. Not fun but I got thru it. Hopefully it goes well for you.

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1 reply
karendb | @karendb | Feb 1, 2019
In reply to @kwanless "I was lucky that I just needed radiation. Not fun but I got thru it. Hopefully..." + (show)
@kwanless

I was lucky that I just needed radiation. Not fun but I got thru it. Hopefully it goes well for you.

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Hi there. I had a lumpectomy for bc, then 16 weeks of chemo, now am done week 2 of 5 of radiation. Next are the meds for me too. It's been nothing but hell for me up to now. Now I'm dealing with such terrible weakness and neuropathy in hands and feet. I hear ya girl when you say you are so done. I truly feel your pain.

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2 replies
karendb | @karendb | Feb 1, 2019
In reply to @karendb "Hi there. I had a lumpectomy for bc, then 16 weeks of chemo, now am done..." + (show)
@karendb

Hi there. I had a lumpectomy for bc, then 16 weeks of chemo, now am done week 2 of 5 of radiation. Next are the meds for me too. It's been nothing but hell for me up to now. Now I'm dealing with such terrible weakness and neuropathy in hands and feet. I hear ya girl when you say you are so done. I truly feel your pain.

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On another note, I guess I'd rather go through all this than have the cancer come back so hang in there. One day at a time right.

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kwanless | @kwanless | Feb 1, 2019

I guess I would put up with the side affects better if the meds gave me greater than a 9% chance with the meds. Seems like a lot of crap I’m taking for 9%. Hope you have less side affects.

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1 reply
farmgirl1556 | @farmgirl1556 | Feb 1, 2019
In reply to @kwanless "I guess I would put up with the side affects better if the meds gave me..." + (show)
@kwanless

I guess I would put up with the side affects better if the meds gave me greater than a 9% chance with the meds. Seems like a lot of crap I’m taking for 9%. Hope you have less side affects.

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I agree with you!!!!

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gwinter | @gwinter | Feb 1, 2019
In reply to @kwanless "I have been on Anastrozole for a year and a half. I can’t handle it anymore...." + (show)
@kwanless

I have been on Anastrozole for a year and a half. I can’t handle it anymore. I went from few wrinkles to a face full of wrinkles. I have such vaginal dryness sex is out of the question. My joints ache. My fingers won’t bend. All of this for an added 9% chance my cancer won’t come back. No! I’m done! Just trying to figure out how long it will be before the side affects go away! Kathy

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I am impressed you did that long!
My stats are 3-12 with the meds, but having hysterectomy next week which is to bring it down to 7%.
I tried same med twice for only 3 weeks each time! First time I quit when I started thinking about suicide...I appeased the oncologist and tried one more time for 3 weeks and gave up because like you I could not bend my fingers or even get out of bed!
I think we all have to also think of quality of life!
I am 64 have 4 young grandsons. I love to fish and kayak and play with the boys....I will not be bedridden.
Hugs to all of you!

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kwanless | @kwanless | Feb 2, 2019

Thinking of you on your surgery! I agree about the quality of life! I have been so lethargic and depressed! Once I decided this was what I was going to do a sense of peace came over me! I had s 2 month old granddaughter and one due next week, I need my hands to hold these babies! Good luck with your surgery! Kathy

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Molly MIller | @mollymiller | Feb 2, 2019
In reply to @karendb "Hi there. I had a lumpectomy for bc, then 16 weeks of chemo, now am done..." + (show)
@karendb

Hi there. I had a lumpectomy for bc, then 16 weeks of chemo, now am done week 2 of 5 of radiation. Next are the meds for me too. It's been nothing but hell for me up to now. Now I'm dealing with such terrible weakness and neuropathy in hands and feet. I hear ya girl when you say you are so done. I truly feel your pain.

Jump to this post

Prayers and loving thoughts coming your way.

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