Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Is Tomoxifen an option

I'm almost 64, in another 4 weeks. I thought that only worked for pre-menopausal women.

@kathyomaha55
Yes, normally tamoxifen is prescribed to pre-menopausal women, but upon occasion, when none of the AIs are patient-compatible, an oncologist may prescribe it. There are trade-offs, however, like increased risk of uterine cancer and blood clots. Your oncologist is the best source of information on all this.

The risk of blood clots and uterine cancer is minuscule. its prescribed a lot.

I will be 66 in August. I’m currently on a break from cancer meds., but will be going back on Tomoxifin in September. I couldn’t manage the side effects of Anastrozole. My oncologist has given me a break from meds. for a few months. I’m not looking forward to returning to taking it... But I do feel like being on Tomoxifin is better than the return of cancer. Having cancer, then meds. that have miserable side effects is no fun at all; but for me, the alternative of breast cancer returning is even worse! I’ve truly learned from all this what it means to ‘pick your battles’!

@lisman1408 Same thing I'm going through right now. I'm 65 was on Anastrozole for 6 months felt like I was 90 years old. Took a break on my own for 3 months Doctor gave me Tomixifen and I have cut the dosage. She prescribed 20mg and I cut it in half and take every other day. At this point after the horrible effects of Anastrozole I have decided to start slow. I intend to increase it but for now feel as if some medication is better than none. I have not checked with my doctor on any of this because I know my body and the effects of drugs on it. As you say pick your battles. Good luck to you!

How do you know if cutting the dosage still gives you the coverage you need so cancer does not come back?

I wrote last week or so that with my Oncologist's knowledge I am taking a 6 week break from Anastrozole. The side effects of that drug for me have been awful. I'm just doing this 6 week break as a test. I don't know what I'll do if I find that I feel much better at the end of the 6 weeks. My doctor said we would have a conference. Sunday the 21st is the end of my first week without Anastrozole, and so far I still have all the side effects, perhaps even more pronounced. I'll keep y'all posted.

@francine6829 I don't know if it will give me the coverage that I need. I do know that if the side effects are so severe and I stop taking it I have no coverage. I read a study that was done in Italy and it was about how the dosages have never really been adjusted and could women use less and be protected because they stayed on it. They had the women take 5mg per day for 3 years. That spoke to me. When I was on Anastrozole I asked my doctor why is it only one dosage. She had no good answer. Tamoxifen comes in 10mg & 20mg I was given 20mg. Had I known at the time there were different dosages I would have asked. For now I will continue the smaller dose I do intend to increase it to 10mg daily but for now I'm tolerating the 5mg. I just started taking it in June so far so good. We need to do what we feel is best for us. When I was on Anastrozole the pain was intolerable and had decided to stop it on my own I was done. My doctor offered Tamoxifen so I am giving it a try my way hopefully I know what I'm doing. If I have no quality of life I have no life!

Jeannie - would you please send me the link to that study in Italy about reduced dosages.