Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Elizm, it's so nice to hear somebody seems to have a grip on this. I'm so hoping I can be more positive and not have the fear always ready to spring. I'm starting telephone counselling next week so I hope this will help/teach me how to be more positive. Thank you again for replying.

I had to stop after 3 months due to quality of my life . Also no pain for me till
The anastrozole. After being off for 3 months I am still having joint muscle and bone pain . Other symptoms subsided. Good luck I could not function . I have joined a fitness program at the ymca to get my strengths back

Still joint pain after 3 months off of the pill? That is not good

I also had insomnia, which I mentioned to the Oncologist at my 3 month check up. She said it was not a common side effect. Suggested Tylenol PM. Glad to hear I am not the only one. I was already on an anti-depressant, even before my diagnosis. Have you talked to her about trying one?

I started Anastrozole, generic form of Arimidex, last October following radiation. The first side effect I noticed was brain fog and some memory loss. When I checked on-line for side effects of Anastrozole, brain fog and mild memory problems were side effects listed. I also started to have some depression and anxiety around Thanksgiving. I kept taking the Anastrozole through the first part of the year, but in February I started breaking out in hives. Hives are another rare side effect. I treated the hives with over the counter medication, but couldn’t stand the itching and called my oncologist. She switched me to tamoxifen. The hives didn’t get much better on the tamoxifen. In late February, I couldn’t stand the itching any longer and went to an InstaCare office. The doctor there said it’s possible that my cancer meds. we’re the cause and prescribed a week course of prednisone. That cleared up the itching and I haven’t had hives for a little over a month. I did start my tomoxifin again when I finished the cortisone. I’m not sure the hives were from either the Anastrozole, or the tamoxifen, but it’s possible and since I wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary, I suspect the cancer meds were the culprit. I did make an appointment with an allergist and seeing her next week. I’m hoping she can determine the cause of the hives. I see my oncologist in a few weeks for a follow up visit and will talk to her about ALL of these issues, the brain fog/memory issues, depression, anxiety, and the dreadful hives! Having breast cancer is bad enough without having all these other issues from the medications that are supposed to help prevent a reccurance! Cancer sucks!!!!

@francine6829 @cancersucks
For me, I only walked on the treadmill (about a mile/day) during chemo and afterwards. Nine months after chemo (when I finally came out of the chemo fog), my muscles and tendons had lost their flexibility, the the neuropathy from the chemo was mixing signals. I added a strenuous balance/coordination class, tai chi, started seeing a physical therapist, and then a chiropractor who practices soft-tissue therapy... all because I hadn't been doing the right exercises during that fateful year. The aches and pains were not all attributable to the anastrozole -- many were due to not exercising my overall body. I wish that my oncologist had counseled me on the dangers of lack of proper muscle/tendon use, but he seems to be focused elsewhere (which is understandable). In the meantime, I work slavishly at trying to retrain my brain and body and regain lost use at age 71. (Not how I planned to spend my Golden Years!) It all would be worse, I fear, if I had done no exercise during this time.

Other than the hives, any other side effects from Tamoxifen?

@elizm Thank you talking about your acceptance. That has been my attitude as well once the shock was over. Also, I joined an 8-week Mindfulness Meditation class which has helped me not only accept this, but looking at my cancer as a gift - sounds crazy, right? But for the first time in my life, I have slowed down and can enjoy being in the moment. Plus, I like my new curly hairdo!

@berit - what was the something you found that worked better

@francine6829 Yes, side effects on tamoxifen are very similar to those I experienced on Anastrozole; but I think I tolerate tomoxifin a little better so for now I plan to continue with it. I went to an emergency clinic and the doctor there prescribed a 7 day course of cortisone to clear up the hives and itching. I also am seeing an allergist this coming week for some further investigation of any allergies that may have developed that could cause the hives. I’d have liked to get in to the allergist sooner, but each one I called was booked out for several weeks. I truly think the hives are reaction/side effect to my cancer meds. because I stopped the Anastrozole for about a week, the hives cleared up on their own. That’s when I contacted my oncologist and she switched me from Anastrozole to Tomoxifin, but the hives returned when I started taking the tomoxifin.

The hives are/were miserable, but for me, the worst with either of these drugs, is the brain fog and memory loss. I am able to function pretty well, but the mental sharpness that I had previously just isn’t there anymore. My husband hasn’t been very kind about it either and makes fun of me because I forget things so easily. I’ve learned I need to use some coping skills to help me like writing important things down and making lists. I very grateful for technology that I can keep those lists on my tablet, and I take it everywhere with me. I’m able to continue to work part time, and my co-workers are wonderfully understanding, so that’s a great way to help keep my self esteem up.