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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dmgweiss | @dmgweiss | Jul 21, 2019

Oh my gosh, this just adds insult to injury! I am sorry to hear about this additional challenge. Thank you for sharing the hard stuff. I wish you the very best. We are not alone on this challenging journey. That sure helps me when I get down. Thank you.

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2 replies
guntherbear | @guntherbear | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @dmgweiss "Oh my gosh, this just adds insult to injury! I am sorry to hear about this..." + (show)
@dmgweiss

Oh my gosh, this just adds insult to injury! I am sorry to hear about this additional challenge. Thank you for sharing the hard stuff. I wish you the very best. We are not alone on this challenging journey. That sure helps me when I get down. Thank you.

Jump to this post

I am 3 years into this and I was wondering if anyone had any ankle/foot pain in the morning. When I get out of bed I have to stand there for at least 2 minutes to get circulation moving (I think). All I know is I keep saying if there is a fire I am screwed because I cannot hop out of bed and walk. I am 55 years old and my body feels 80 😔 Does anyone have this problem and is there any relief of this. It also happens if I am watching tv for a while or sitting at my desk at work. It takes me a while to get moving.

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4 replies
baker1 | @baker1 | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @elizm "@baker1 Since starting anastrozole in January 2018, I've had a number of side effects, but the..." + (show)
@elizm

@baker1
Since starting anastrozole in January 2018, I've had a number of side effects, but the one which I didn't expect was losing a bit over a pound each month. (I have a friend who reacted similarly, so I don't think it's too unusual.) The joint and bone pains have stopped now, or at least for the time being. I do a 20-minute mile each afternoon to overcome the insomnia. The one side effect which I truly hate is what it has done to my skin... and apparently it's just something I must learn to live with....

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What happened to your skin? From March till the end of May this year, my lips were so painfully dry and at times swollen. Nothing seemed to help. The doctor said it wasn't an effect of the Anastrozol. He suggested I try Burt's Bees lip balm. It mostly cleared up the next day. I still get dry but it's very mild.

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1 reply
baker1 | @baker1 | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @trixie1313 "@baker1 That's great - keep up the good work!" + (show)
@trixie1313

@baker1 That's great - keep up the good work!

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Thanks! So far so good. It has only been since November of 2018 so I have a long way to go with the Anastrozol.

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sparklegram | @sparklegram | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @dmgweiss "Oh my gosh, this just adds insult to injury! I am sorry to hear about this..." + (show)
@dmgweiss

Oh my gosh, this just adds insult to injury! I am sorry to hear about this additional challenge. Thank you for sharing the hard stuff. I wish you the very best. We are not alone on this challenging journey. That sure helps me when I get down. Thank you.

Jump to this post

@dmgweiss- Yes, I've been taking Anastrozole for a year and a half. I'm 74 and had wrinkles before, but this drug has fast forwarded everything!

REPLY
dmgweiss | @dmgweiss | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @guntherbear "I am 3 years into this and I was wondering if anyone had any ankle/foot pain..." + (show)
@guntherbear

I am 3 years into this and I was wondering if anyone had any ankle/foot pain in the morning. When I get out of bed I have to stand there for at least 2 minutes to get circulation moving (I think). All I know is I keep saying if there is a fire I am screwed because I cannot hop out of bed and walk. I am 55 years old and my body feels 80 😔 Does anyone have this problem and is there any relief of this. It also happens if I am watching tv for a while or sitting at my desk at work. It takes me a while to get moving.

Jump to this post

Sorry to hear about your feet. I have more aches in my hands. I am hoping we will both get relief after the five year mark. Hang in there!

REPLY
1 reply
sparklegram | @sparklegram | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @guntherbear "I am 3 years into this and I was wondering if anyone had any ankle/foot pain..." + (show)
@guntherbear

I am 3 years into this and I was wondering if anyone had any ankle/foot pain in the morning. When I get out of bed I have to stand there for at least 2 minutes to get circulation moving (I think). All I know is I keep saying if there is a fire I am screwed because I cannot hop out of bed and walk. I am 55 years old and my body feels 80 😔 Does anyone have this problem and is there any relief of this. It also happens if I am watching tv for a while or sitting at my desk at work. It takes me a while to get moving.

Jump to this post

@guntherbear, (love your name!) Yes, ankle and foot pain definitely one of my many symptoms, especially when getting up in the morning and after sitting.

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sparklegram | @sparklegram | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @dmgweiss "Sorry to hear about your feet. I have more aches in my hands. I am hoping..." + (show)
@dmgweiss

Sorry to hear about your feet. I have more aches in my hands. I am hoping we will both get relief after the five year mark. Hang in there!

Jump to this post

@dmgweiss_ How about knees? Does anyone have knee pain?

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dottieh | @dottieh | Jul 21, 2019

Knee, foot, ankle pain and heel numbness the worst for me along with the fatigue. Have been on Anastrozole for 15 months now. Keep getting told to give it another 3 months and maybe it will improve. As you all do as well trying my best!

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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Jul 21, 2019

Try Tamoxifen. Much less joint pain

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