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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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @gwinter "@francine6829 my oncologist said to ask my gynecologist oncologist when to take. She said when I..." + (show)
@gwinter

@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.

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Gwinter. The newest one is Femura and that is the one I went on and had horrible bone and joint pain

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kwanless | @kwanless | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "Kathy- which AI are you taking?" + (show)
@francine6829

Kathy- which AI are you taking?

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Anastrozole

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kwanless | @kwanless | Apr 4, 2019

Yes to acne! I thought I wouldn’t have any since there were no hormones. It’s ridiculous!

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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "Kathy- which AI are you taking?" + (show)
@francine6829

Kathy- which AI are you taking?

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Anastrozole - yes, it takes all the moisture out of everything - which is why the acne seemed strange.

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jeannie53 | @jeannie53 | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "Jeannie53- I asked my breast surgeon about those tamoxifen side effects you mentioned. He said unless..." + (show)
@francine6829

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

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@francine6829 Thank you Francine. My oncologist told me that the effects are not as dire as made out to be. I appreciate you letting me know that not smoking and past history should be weighed in. I have never smoked and no history of blood clots. As I said I have a friend who tolerated it very well she was on Tamoxifen for 5 years and is 6 years out cancer free. This is a very bumpy road and we are all trying to get to the same place hopefully things will smooth out for all of us.

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1 reply
francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @jeannie53 "@francine6829 Thank you Francine. My oncologist told me that the effects are not as dire as..." + (show)
@jeannie53

@francine6829 Thank you Francine. My oncologist told me that the effects are not as dire as made out to be. I appreciate you letting me know that not smoking and past history should be weighed in. I have never smoked and no history of blood clots. As I said I have a friend who tolerated it very well she was on Tamoxifen for 5 years and is 6 years out cancer free. This is a very bumpy road and we are all trying to get to the same place hopefully things will smooth out for all of us.

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I hope so Jeannie. I have such a negative attitude about these drugs, even knowing it will help me survive longer.

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2 replies
kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "I hope so Jeannie. I have such a negative attitude about these drugs, even knowing it..." + (show)
@francine6829

I hope so Jeannie. I have such a negative attitude about these drugs, even knowing it will help me survive longer.

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Also keep in mind there are 75% of people with NO side effects - or they are not bad enough that they stop the medicine. People with no side effects - they do not post stuff. 🙂

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jeannie53 | @jeannie53 | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "I hope so Jeannie. I have such a negative attitude about these drugs, even knowing it..." + (show)
@francine6829

I hope so Jeannie. I have such a negative attitude about these drugs, even knowing it will help me survive longer.

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@francine6829 I agree with you 100%

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baker1 | @baker1 | Apr 4, 2019

My lips have been extremely dry for the past few weeks. They feel like they are burning and have become a size too small! I have tried Chapstick, Vaseline ( which has always worked for me before cancer) and Blixtex. Nothing seems to comfort my poor lips. I'm taking Anastrozle. Could that be the source of my discomfort?

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2 replies
gwinter | @gwinter | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @baker1 "My lips have been extremely dry for the past few weeks. They feel like they are..." + (show)
@baker1

My lips have been extremely dry for the past few weeks. They feel like they are burning and have become a size too small! I have tried Chapstick, Vaseline ( which has always worked for me before cancer) and Blixtex. Nothing seems to comfort my poor lips. I'm taking Anastrozle. Could that be the source of my discomfort?

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@baker1 could be dehydration! Hard to keep ahead of these meds, too!

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