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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huey | @huey | Feb 2, 2019
In reply to @maureenkarras "I have taken all of the aromatase inhibitors including tamoxifen. My understanding, from every expert I..." + (show)
@maureenkarras

I have taken all of the aromatase inhibitors including tamoxifen. My understanding, from every expert I have talked with, is that these drugs, including the one you have been Prescribed, are a critical part of your treatment. There are side effects and everyone reacts differently. For me it was joint pain and skin issues - I'm still struggling with both. The thing you have to weigh is the cancer. I'm assuming that you want to do everything possible to prevent reoccurance. I felt like I couldn't manage the skin issues without getting off the drugs. I started, stopped, switched and tried again - repeatedly. I never completed the entire recommended 5 years. But, I wish I could have. For me the fear of reoccurance seems to still loom large. I had a scare and biopsy last spring. I guess if you trust your oncologist I would listen carefully to his/her recommendation. Wishing you the best and a future cancer free. Maureen

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I have 2 friends who stopped anastrozole because of side effects. Both are suffering with metastatic desease

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gwinter | @gwinter | Feb 2, 2019
In reply to @kat9606 "I've been on Anastrozole (Arimidex) for 3 mos, the first pain was in my knees but..." + (show)
@kat9606

I've been on Anastrozole (Arimidex) for 3 mos, the first pain was in my knees but it wasn't significant or there all the time - I'd never had knee pain before. In the past 2 mos my hip and back pain (aching and stiffness) is pretty significant. Saw my oncology nutritionist a few days ago who added calcium, vit D and Glucosamine/Chrondroitin to my daily Alive Women 50+ Vitamin. She looked at all the dosage amounts, some I take in the AM others in PM. Will try this for a month and if symptoms don't subside might try a different AI. I also get a lot of calf cramps at night that can keep me from sleeping. I do Pilates 3x a week which helps on so many levels. I'm 53 so I wasn't used to aches and pains until diagnosis 14 mos ago. Diagnosed IDC, PR & ER +, HER2-, nothing in lymph nodes, stage 1. Did lumpectomy, radiation and full hysterectomy (minus the ovaries), no chemo luckily.

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I know this is from 2017, but just wondering how you r doing?
I am 64 and pr /er positive, HER2 -. HAVING hysterectomy next week.
I have tried arimidex twice and did not fare well.
See oncologist also this week for first yearly since surgery and diagnosis last April.
So as you see we r pretty close...I would really like to know how you r doing now!
Thank you!
Gaye

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huey | @huey | Feb 2, 2019
In reply to @huey "I have 2 friends who stopped anastrozole because of side effects. Both are suffering with metastatic..." + (show)
@huey

I have 2 friends who stopped anastrozole because of side effects. Both are suffering with metastatic desease

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I’m taking my anastrozole and doing well. Walking every day

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1 reply
karendb | @karendb | Feb 2, 2019
In reply to @huey "I’m taking my anastrozole and doing well. Walking every day" + (show)
@huey

I’m taking my anastrozole and doing well. Walking every day

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I'm so glad to hear someone doing well on this med. my oncologist has prescribed for me the same drug after my radiation treatments. I've been very scared about taking it from hearing some of the awful side effects people have had.

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sandrajo | @sandrajo | Feb 2, 2019

Have been on arimedex For the past seven months. Except for feeling tired at midday, I have no complaints. Some thinning of hair But I have not noticed any other adverse effects.

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marybe | @marybe | Feb 3, 2019
In reply to @lisman1408 "Did you have side effects from the Anastrozole? If so, what were they?" + (show)
@lisman1408

Did you have side effects from the Anastrozole? If so, what were they?

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I had many side effects, some mild but the worst was the mood swings and moodiness/depression. It was like being 16 again with PMS. I also experienced fatigue, sleeping 12 hours a night with a 2 hour midday nap, hot flashes, stomach upset, muscle ache etc. Being off it I know is temporary but I’m dreading going back on it

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1 reply
kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Feb 3, 2019
In reply to @marybe "I had many side effects, some mild but the worst was the mood swings and moodiness/depression...." + (show)
@marybe

I had many side effects, some mild but the worst was the mood swings and moodiness/depression. It was like being 16 again with PMS. I also experienced fatigue, sleeping 12 hours a night with a 2 hour midday nap, hot flashes, stomach upset, muscle ache etc. Being off it I know is temporary but I’m dreading going back on it

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I also am having fatigue. Sleeping 12 hrs a night and needing a nap too. They told me the fatigue from radiation can take up to a year to resolve. My radiation was over in October (21 treatments) - so not sure if I can blame the AI for that. I have my first 3 months check up with the oncologist on 2/.8. I will be sure to ask her about this. Hot flashes have been a constant since surgery in July. I only started taking anastrozole in November.

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batm | @batm | Feb 4, 2019
In reply to @lisman1408 "Did you have side effects from the Anastrozole? If so, what were they?" + (show)
@lisman1408

Did you have side effects from the Anastrozole? If so, what were they?

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I lasted a month on arimidex, I had all the side effects. Insomnia, loss of appetite, fatigue, headaches, bone/joint pain, nausea/vomiting, mood swings, irritability, loss of focus. Just miserable. My oncologist had told me I’d feel much, much worse on this med and he was right. I’ll see him tomorrow for recommendations. But for quality of life issues I can’t continue on this med.

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kwanless | @kwanless | Feb 4, 2019

I totally agree. I see my oncologist at the end of the month so will talk to her as well. But I doubt I will do meds anytime soon. Kathy

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appaloosagal | @appaloosagal | Mar 5, 2019

I have been on Anastrozole for a year now. I am thinking of taking a break. The side effects are killing me. I have already been on Tamoxifen and Letrazole. The Tamoxifen caused liver damage. The letrazole side effects were so bad I could hardly walk. Now, with the Anastrozole the insomnia is terrible. Not to mention fatigue and headaches. I also have bad indigestion all the time. Has anyone else had hives or rashes on their radiated skin? I have had hives, bumps and itching just on the radiated breast side. For a year now.

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