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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@francine6829

I understand the exercise, vitamin D and Fosomax. but what impact does this on your teeth? Did you ask him that?

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

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

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@gwinter

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

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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.

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@francine6829

I have been on the medication for 7 weeks. My oncologist just told me to stop taking the medication for 2 weeks and let me body adjust. We will then see the next step and what other Ai might work better or perhaps a smaller dose. What works for my knee pain is exercise and yoga. I do it everyday. When I sit too much is when my knee pain kicks in. Being off the pill for 2 weeks will show me whether the AI is exacerbating my arthritic knees.

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@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.

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@sparklegram

@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.

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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.

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

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@kathyomaha55

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.

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Agree on exercise

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@sparklegram

@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.

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

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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..............

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@elizm

@jeannie53 @francine 6829
Yesterday was my monthly luncheon with my cancer support group. I inquired of the woman next to me how she was dealing with the anastrozole. She indicated that her oncologist recommended taking turmeric... and for her, it has worked wonders. Soooo, I'm going to give it a try as well and see if it doesn't quiet down the bones and joints in my hands and legs.

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@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.

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