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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gwinter | @gwinter | Mar 28, 2019

In reply to @francine6829 "I understand the exercise, vitamin D and Fosomax. but what impact does this on your teeth?..." + (show)

@francine6829 I am not sure, totally but the oncologist said it was hard on jaws.
Plus, I do have osteoporosis

francine6829 | @francine6829 | Mar 28, 2019

I am going to take it in pill form- megafood brand

kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Mar 28, 2019

In reply to @gwinter "@francine6829 I am not sure, totally but the oncologist said it was hard on jaws. Plus,..." + (show)

They wanted a recent bone scan - before I started on it. And mine was very good. I assume the teeth is from it affecting the bones - but not sure. For joint pain she told me to EXERCISE.

sparklegram | @sparklegram | Mar 28, 2019

In reply to @francine6829 "I have been on the medication for 7 weeks. My oncologist just told me to stop..." + (show)

@francine6829 - I'm seeing my oncologist on the 18th. I'll ask her the same questions about trying stopping for 2 weeks. Meanwhile as I posted earlier, I'm seeing my spine doctor on the 18th because my MRI showed changes in my spinal stenosis and degenerative changes. I've been on Arimidex for 14 months.

kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Mar 28, 2019

In reply to @sparklegram "@francine6829 - I'm seeing my oncologist on the 18th. I'll ask her the same questions about..." + (show)

Let us know if the Dr. thinks it from the drugs you are taking. I think we're all interested in the answer. I've been on anastrozole for 5 months now.

sparklegram | @sparklegram | Mar 28, 2019

@kathyomaha55 - I will do that. I worry because spine doctors see spinal issues and Oncologists see cancer related issues.

francine6829 | @francine6829 | Mar 28, 2019

In reply to @kathyomaha55 "They wanted a recent bone scan - before I started on it. And mine was very..." + (show)

Agree on exercise

francine6829 | @francine6829 | Mar 28, 2019

In reply to @sparklegram "@francine6829 - I'm seeing my oncologist on the 18th. I'll ask her the same questions about..." + (show)

After everything I have heard about arimidex, I would not go on that one

cindylb | @cindylb | Mar 28, 2019

Estrogen is especially bone protective, so as we age we start to have issues with bones because that estrogen (and possibly progesterone) protect our bones. The AI drugs given for breast cancer eliminate not only the diminished estrogen one might have after menopause but ALL the estrogen essentially. That's what causes the bone pain, the actual degeneration of bone due to the drugs. For people who may also tend toward losing bone mass......it can be especially hard.
I have bones of steal and no osteoporosis in my family but I even had bone pain in my wrists, hips and jaw............so..........(I was unable to take the AI's due to more severe side effects).........but did a lot of research and unfortunately bone pain and loss is a pretty common side effect of the AI's.
Hugs all..............

jeannie53 | @jeannie53 | Mar 28, 2019

In reply to @elizm "@jeannie53 @francine 6829 Yesterday was my monthly luncheon with my cancer support group. I inquired of..." + (show)

@elizm @francine6829

I bought tumeric tablets have not kept up on taking them. I have been adding tumeric to my food such as stews and soups it's actually pretty good I leave it on the kitchen counter so I remember to add it to my cooking. Guess I need to do it EVERY day.