Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

@francine6829 They also use tamoxifen for post-menopausal as it does stop estrogen production, but the pills of choice by most oncologists are aromatase inhibitors.

I didn't know that......thanks for correcting that on here. I thought it was only for post menopausal woman. It's good to know that is an option.

@elizm, thank you for your reply. Since my diagnosis of breast cancer in May, 2018, I've been non stop afraid and depressed. My gp has put me on anti anxiety pills once a day but doesn't seem to be working. Well, maybe a little. The panic attacks have lessened. I guess I thought once everything was done with. I'd be back to my old self. Not the case at all and I miss my old self :(. I will be starting telephone counselling next Wednesday so will see how that goes.

I was on arimidez for a study after breast cancer diagnoses and prior to surgery. The depression was terrible, but stayed on for 6 months. I stopped taking right before lumpectomy surgery and depression improved within days. After surgery had chemo and currently doing radiation. My oncologist wants me to take arimidez again when radiation is done and I will probably give it another try, but very concern about depression side effects.

Laurie

First time I heard about someone taking an AI prior to surgery

I didn't take it before surgery either. But I'm thinking that the depression I have started long before the arimidez. It started the day I found out I had bc.

AI prior to breast surgery was part of a research study, can read more at
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01953588
Based on biopsies done prior to AI and again 3 months after start of AI, the tumor was responding to AI.

Laurie

@karendb - Hi Karen, yes, depression is one of the many side effects I have. It's always difficult to determine what is a side effect and what is life happening!

Hi Sparklegram, it is hard to know if it's the drugs or the whole episode of bc. Are you currently on AI? I've been on arimidez for about a month now and the only real change I've noticed is a bit of insomnia, mild aches but the depression is all consuming.

@karendb
I'm so sorry that you struggling with this new journey. I was diagnosed a year earlier than you, and also thought that, once the surgery and chemo, etc. were done, I could return to my old life. It didn't work out that way for me. I've had more time than you to get philosophical about it all. My current mantra is "Whatever happens, love that." Sounds crazy, I know... but it allows me to make friends with the changes, although sometimes I attempt to go around them or affect them... but it's no longer a battle. Just sayin'....