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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karendb | @karendb | Apr 3, 2019
In reply to @kathyomaha55 "It is a gene test of your particular tumor. It has a score of 1 to..." + (show)
@kathyomaha55

It is a gene test of your particular tumor. It has a score of 1 to 50. if your score is low 26 then you do need chemo, in the middle was a "grey" area. I was a 22, IN June of 2017, they released a 10 year study of 8,000 women. Based on that study the Middle range, doing chemo for them, did not improve their survival rates. Since I was in the middle at 22, my oncologist said I did not need chemo. Previous to the study, I would have under gone Chemo. Since you had chemo already, I guess either you had the test or your doctor just decided you should take it. Anastrozole is a Form of chemo - by suppressing Hormones, it reduces the chance your tumor will re-occur. I agree more information helps us all.

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Thank you kathyomaha55.

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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 3, 2019

All, If you had to choose between Aromasin or Arimidex, which would you choose and why (focusing on side effects)?

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karendb | @karendb | Apr 3, 2019

@francine6829, I've been on arimidex for about a month now and have just noticed a few aches and a bit of insomnia. I hope this is as bad as it'll be cause 5 years seems like such a long time to have to take it.

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kwanless | @kwanless | Apr 3, 2019
In reply to @karendb "@francine6829, I've been on arimidex for about a month now and have just noticed a few..." + (show)
@karendb

@francine6829, I've been on arimidex for about a month now and have just noticed a few aches and a bit of insomnia. I hope this is as bad as it'll be cause 5 years seems like such a long time to have to take it.

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I have been on anastrozole which is generic for Aridimex for a year and a half. I have aches and joint pain every where. I have trick fingers and fingers that lock. I have insomnia. I have gotten deep wrinkles overnight. I have no moisture in any parts of my body including my lady parts. I’m 60 and feel like 90. I hate feeling like this!

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2 replies
francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 3, 2019
In reply to @kwanless "I have been on anastrozole which is generic for Aridimex for a year and a half...." + (show)
@kwanless

I have been on anastrozole which is generic for Aridimex for a year and a half. I have aches and joint pain every where. I have trick fingers and fingers that lock. I have insomnia. I have gotten deep wrinkles overnight. I have no moisture in any parts of my body including my lady parts. I’m 60 and feel like 90. I hate feeling like this!

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Have you asked your oncologist to switch you to another Pill?

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1 reply
kwanless | @kwanless | Apr 3, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "Have you asked your oncologist to switch you to another Pill?" + (show)
@francine6829

Have you asked your oncologist to switch you to another Pill?

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Yes but she said this is the best there is for someone my age. Instead she talked to me about dealing with side effects.

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trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Apr 3, 2019
In reply to @kwanless "I have been on anastrozole which is generic for Aridimex for a year and a half...." + (show)
@kwanless

I have been on anastrozole which is generic for Aridimex for a year and a half. I have aches and joint pain every where. I have trick fingers and fingers that lock. I have insomnia. I have gotten deep wrinkles overnight. I have no moisture in any parts of my body including my lady parts. I’m 60 and feel like 90. I hate feeling like this!

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@kwanless
I rub some extra-strength blue emu cream on my hands before bedtime and try to bend my fingers a little. If I keep them straight, then it's difficult to start moving them. The gynecologist suggested using olive oil or coconut oil in my "lady parts" area and this helps somewhat to keep a little moisture there. This stuff is brutal! I find the headaches are one of my worst complaints over all the other stuff as well as my vision is a bit blurry.

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2 replies
kwanless | @kwanless | Apr 3, 2019
In reply to @trixie1313 "@kwanless I rub some extra-strength blue emu cream on my hands before bedtime and try to..." + (show)
@trixie1313

@kwanless
I rub some extra-strength blue emu cream on my hands before bedtime and try to bend my fingers a little. If I keep them straight, then it's difficult to start moving them. The gynecologist suggested using olive oil or coconut oil in my "lady parts" area and this helps somewhat to keep a little moisture there. This stuff is brutal! I find the headaches are one of my worst complaints over all the other stuff as well as my vision is a bit blurry.

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Thanks! I have tried the coconut oil. I will try the blue emu cream. Mornings are so bad with the stiffness in my fingers

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karendb | @karendb | Apr 3, 2019

Hi again. Yes I've had the dryness everywhere too. But I'm just so glad all the chemo and radiation is done, that I'm trying not to complain too much cause I figure I've gotta be on this lousy drug for five years, make the best of it. I actually had the strength to bake cookies today. Haven't baked anything in a year! Kwanless, I hope things start getting easier for you. Hang in there. You can do this.

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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 3, 2019

I did not mind the lumpectomy or radiation. The Femura has been the worse part of this treatment. Being off of it for 2 weeks has been a blessing. I dread going back to and trying another AI. From what I am reading Arimidex side effects sound worse than aromasin

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