Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Thanks! Glad chemo and radiation are behind you!

Thanks for all the ideas!!
First I have not taken my arimedex since September, I think. The side effects were horrendous.
First time I tried my blood pressure went sky high, hot flash that was 36 hours long, and suicidal thought (never in my life have I ever had). I reported to Dr and he said quit for a few weeks and try again...so I played that game and did. Side effects were all joint soreness and high blood pressure, but Dr wanted me to continue. He would start me on blood pressure pills and vitamin C and depression. Come on!!
I am off..next appt was Feb 5 and he gave me aromasin, but I had a hysterectomy the next day and wasn't about to add pill to that mess.
My pharmacist was pleased with this next one and suggested start every other day. I will begin in a few weeks.
Watch your blood pressure is my only suggestion and again quality of life has to take front seat here, too! I am only 64 and not ready to give in!

@kwanless - I also had terrible leg pain and at times could not climb stairs unless I pulled myself up by the bannister. In addition to fatigue and getting depressed because I felt awful. I stopped my pills after 6 months and saw my oncologist yesterday, I have been off of the pills for a week and started to notice the difference after 5 days. My doctor could not believe that I have been suffering and told me I should have let her know and stopped the pills when the pain kicked in. She has instructed me to take a break for 1 month to get it all out of my system and wait until I feel like my old self. I was on anastrozole and she is going to change me to letrozole. She said if that does not work we will just try different drugs until one works and if none agree with me we will figure my next step which may be no drugs. My point is please do not suffer I had no quality of life and was starting to feel very depressed. Quality of life is very important I get having some off days but every day was off and that's not living it's existing. Please talk to your oncologist and if you get no results consider getting a new oncologist that listens to you. Sending good thoughts your way!

gwinter- I too am going to try aromasin but I am not optimistic. Is the doc allowing you a few weeks to heal from your hysterectomy before you start? That is interesting the advice from your pharmacist to take it every other day. I wonder what your oncologist will think about that AND does that impact its effectiveness?

jeannie53 - Letrozole is stronger than anastrozole and I took it for 7 weeks and then stopped. All the leg pain you mentioned was exactly why I went off. And the pain kept me up every night. I give you credit for staying on it 6 months. I will try Aromasin but I really want to go on Tamoxifen (even tho its not one of the newer fancy drugs), because it does not have the bone pain side effects.

@francine6829 - Hi Francine, My doctor explained that Tamoxifen is the drug that has been around the longest that is usually a drug that I would want. My concerns for myself about Tamoxifen are the warnings about blood clots and uterine cancer. I have a friend that did quite well on it with no effects. As for me when we get to that decision I just may opt out. As you had reactions on Letrozole I'm also leery of any of the drugs and will give them all a try and see how it goes. Good luck with Aromasin hopefully you will do better with it.

Jeannie53- I asked my breast surgeon about those tamoxifen side effects you mentioned. He said unless I smoke, which I don’t or have a history of blood clots, those side effects are very very unlikely. He thinks Tomixifen is a good choice. I have not convinced my oncologist yet

I tried Aspercreme with lidocaine - that helped as well on my hands. Exercise has also really helped with the muscle/joint pain. Any one else had problems with Acne?? On top of everything else - It's like I'm 15 again. LOL

@francine6829 my oncologist said to ask my gynecologist oncologist when to take. She said when I felt ready to! It has been 8 weeks so I'm going to start in a couple. Pharmacist said it might add an extra year of taking if I go every other day. But I was going to start every other day for a month then try every day!
I might be changing oncologist anyway. He is a numbers man, too. So he now has me at 20% recurrence even with the surgery! Aarrgghh
Let me know how you do!! I will, too.
This one must be newer so good luck!
I have decided it's about quality of life even more.

Kathy- which AI are you taking?