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Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole
Breast Cancer | Last Active: 6 days ago | Replies (1931)Comment receiving replies
I started on anastrozole in November. Only side effects so far to EASE, is dry eyes. No headaches, but I have the bad joint pain in my hands, shoulders and toes; insomnia (my doctor recommended benadryl at bed time); hot flashes have gone down from 15 a day to about 4 a day; Exercise does seem to help overall. But I swear my hands hurt so much sometimes, I want to stop taking it. But I do not want cancer again. One study compared people who had surgery & took an AI, vs. people who had surgery & took no further treatment. The re-occurrence rate was 40% in the people who took no AI's. So I guess that keeps me from stopping the meds. Hang in there.
Replies to "I started on anastrozole in November. Only side effects so far to EASE, is dry eyes...."
Try getting plugs and prescription drugs for the dry eyes and cortisone shots may help your hands
@kathyomaha55
This may sound dumb, but I've been using Blue Emu cream on my hands which seems to help the joint pain somewhat. I also take turmeric capsules which help with pain as it's an anti-inflammatory. In addition, I do take magnesium glyconate which helps not only with constipation because it's a type of relaxant but may help with insomnia. I haven't had much trouble sleeping because I go to the bedroom about 9 p.m. and read with dimmed lights and then tend to fall asleep. I used to stay up watching TV and then had trouble sleeping. If you decide to trying any of the above though, check with your doctor first to be sure it's okay.
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Hang in there. It's a tough choice. I believe the rate of recurrence vs taking and not taking the AI's is based on the surgery, other treatments and stage and type of cancer.....so percentages vary by patient, but if you can tolerate the drugs you reduce recurrence.