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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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Mar 13, 2019
In reply to @colleenyoung "A number of people have mentioned biotin, also known as vitamin B7, to help promote hair..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

A number of people have mentioned biotin, also known as vitamin B7, to help promote hair growth. Recently, I came across these articles:
- Biotin, marketed for hair and nails, could skew some medical test results, researchers warn https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/biotin-can-interfere-with-lab-tests-study-says-1.5051992
- The FDA Warns that Biotin May Interfere with Lab Tests: FDA Safety Communication https://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/safety/alertsandnotices/ucm586505.htm

Here are some key points from the first article:
"It is known that biotin supplements can interfere with lab tests, resulting in false positive and false negative results on a wide range of clinically important tests."
"Health agencies, including the U.S. National Institutes of Health (https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-Consumer/), say there isn't enough evidence to support the claims that biotin improves hair, nails and skin, and that more research is required before it should be recommended for that purpose."

@elizm, did your doctor tell you about biotin possibly interfering with lab tests?

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For hair thinning - my doctor said to use Rogaine shampoo if it bothered me.

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elizm | @elizm | Mar 13, 2019
In reply to @colleenyoung "A number of people have mentioned biotin, also known as vitamin B7, to help promote hair..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

A number of people have mentioned biotin, also known as vitamin B7, to help promote hair growth. Recently, I came across these articles:
- Biotin, marketed for hair and nails, could skew some medical test results, researchers warn https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/biotin-can-interfere-with-lab-tests-study-says-1.5051992
- The FDA Warns that Biotin May Interfere with Lab Tests: FDA Safety Communication https://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/safety/alertsandnotices/ucm586505.htm

Here are some key points from the first article:
"It is known that biotin supplements can interfere with lab tests, resulting in false positive and false negative results on a wide range of clinically important tests."
"Health agencies, including the U.S. National Institutes of Health (https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-Consumer/), say there isn't enough evidence to support the claims that biotin improves hair, nails and skin, and that more research is required before it should be recommended for that purpose."

@elizm, did your doctor tell you about biotin possibly interfering with lab tests?

Jump to this post

@colleenyoung
Unfortunately, my oncologist did not warn me. I had gone to a neurologist for my CIPN who wanted to do a raft of tests to see if something else might be contributing to the neuropathy. One was for a thyroid test which came back as hyperthyroid. I marched off to my GP who referred me to an endocrinologist and for a thyroid ultrasound. Both doctors knew how much biotin I was taking.

I personally was unconvinced that I was hyperthyroid and started researching the condition online. That is where I found that, up until something like 2016, endocrinologists had been treating patients for hyperthyroidism when in fact it was biotin which was changing the test assay. Sooo, I passed along the news to my GP who allowed me to drop the biotin for a week and then re-take the thyroid test which subsequently was quite normal.

The lessen taught me to stop all supplements about 48 hours or so before every blood test in order to get a more accurate reading on my health. Regrettably, doctors in my area don't instruct patients accordingly.

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marannolson | @marannolson | Mar 16, 2019
In reply to @grandma41 "I took that drug, it made my knees and joints hurt so bad that I could..." + (show)
@grandma41

I took that drug, it made my knees and joints hurt so bad that I could not walk, I had to change drugs, I am now on Letrolzole, it has side effects too but so far nothing like the anastrozole. I lost my hair, it's not coming back very well, my last treatment was in April 2015.

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I have been on arimidex for 2 years. My hair has thinned some. Mostly my feet and heels hurt. Wondering has anyone tried Good Feet ?

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1 reply
susiebeard | @susiebeard | Mar 16, 2019
In reply to @marannolson "I have been on arimidex for 2 years. My hair has thinned some. Mostly my feet..." + (show)
@marannolson

I have been on arimidex for 2 years. My hair has thinned some. Mostly my feet and heels hurt. Wondering has anyone tried Good Feet ?

Jump to this post

I have been on Arimidex for 3 years and my feet hurt constantly. Mostly the top and side of my left foot. What is Good Feet?

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Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Mar 16, 2019

Good Feet is a store located in MN and one in Wi that sells arch supports - https://www.goodfeet.com/

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susiebeard | @susiebeard | Mar 16, 2019

I do have arch supports which help some. Just wish it were more!

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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Mar 16, 2019

Have any of you comsidered switching to Femara ? The docs said the side effects are less

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trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Mar 16, 2019

After much trepidation upon reading all about the side effects of anastrozole, I listened to those that suggested taking this in the evening. First night I woke up at 2 a.m. with drenching sweats and horrific headache. The headache continued through the next day and I was exhausted. Took it the next night before going to sleep and next day I was tired, but didn't get a headache until that evening but it was a small one. The following 3 days have not been bad at all. I do get tired in the afternoon but find I am listening to my body and sit down in the afternoon. I find I am able to get a lot done in the mornings, relax in the afternoon, and then have more energy in the evenings. My hands do tend to hurt and are stiff, but shall take one day at a time and hoping things go okay.

REPLY
3 replies
kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Mar 16, 2019
In reply to @trixie1313 "After much trepidation upon reading all about the side effects of anastrozole, I listened to those..." + (show)
@trixie1313

After much trepidation upon reading all about the side effects of anastrozole, I listened to those that suggested taking this in the evening. First night I woke up at 2 a.m. with drenching sweats and horrific headache. The headache continued through the next day and I was exhausted. Took it the next night before going to sleep and next day I was tired, but didn't get a headache until that evening but it was a small one. The following 3 days have not been bad at all. I do get tired in the afternoon but find I am listening to my body and sit down in the afternoon. I find I am able to get a lot done in the mornings, relax in the afternoon, and then have more energy in the evenings. My hands do tend to hurt and are stiff, but shall take one day at a time and hoping things go okay.

Jump to this post

My hands hurt too - but it started after about 4 months on it. I bought some Aspercreme with lidocaine. It seems to help my hands when they get really bad. You can use it 3 times a day. I take mine before bed. My doctor said it didn't matter when I take it - but be consistent. I started have the bad hot flashes after surgery - so it's been 9 months, and they are reducing in intensity & frequency. But everyone is different. Hang in there! 🙂

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