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Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jul 28 9:25am | Replies (1934)Comment receiving replies
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.
Replies to "I have been on Anastrozole for a year now. I am thinking of taking a break...."
I have been suffering from hives from the medications following breast cancer treatment. I was on Anastrozole for about 3 months when I started breaking out in hives. My whole body was covered. My oncologist switched me to tamoxifen, and it’s slightly better, but not much. This past weekend I was so miserable from the itching I ended up at an emergency clinic. The doctor there says it’s an allergic reaction to the cancer meds. He put me on a 7 day course of prednisone and told me to see an allergist. I can’t get an appt. to see the allergist until next month... and my next appt. with my oncologist isn’t until April 16. Sometimes I think it would have been easier to have had surgery to remove the cancer, followed up with radiation and forget taking these damn pills to prevent recurrence! Its been nearly a year of one thing after another since I was diagnosed with stage 2A!
@appaloosagal
So sorry to hear that you continue to struggle with radiation dermatitis. It is a common side effect and can even return much later (called radiation recall)... ugh. Firstly, keep that area free of cologne, anti-bacterial soap, soap in general (ask your pharmacy to order Aquanil Cleanser or Lotion, or CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash), and use clothes detergents which are free of scents and other additives (look for or order Tide Free & Pure or All Free Clear.) Also, keep the area moisturized with something which has no chemical additives.
As for the anastrozole... I agree, it's a bummer. I opted to take just half a dose and I still experience aching joints and bones (and I don't have osteoarthritis!). It worries my oncologist (the half-dose), but I remind him that recurrence also increases after taking an AI... it really is a no-win situation in my view. We each have to pick our way through the therapeutic brambles. I wish you the best outcome and, at least, calmer skin.
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I also have insomnia - my oncologist recommended Tylenol PM. That helps with my joint pain too. My hands hurt SO much, this never happened before the Anastrozole (I've been on it for almost 5 months). I started exercise too - that has helped with the fatigue. I had no skin problems, I had 21 treatments, maybe you had more?