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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trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | 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.

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@guntherbear I, too, have the ankle pain plus hand pain. My physical therapist advised me to do stretches for my hands and circles, etc., for my feet before I get up to lube up the joints. It seems to help a bit. Once I'm up, I can move easier but the first few steps I go slow so I don't tip over.

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trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @baker1 "What happened to your skin? From March till the end of May this year, my lips..." + (show)
@baker1

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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@baker1 My lips and skin dried out a lot following chemo and since then I've been using Aquaphor for lips before I go to bed and CeraVe daily for skin and face which seems to help.

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oilermama | @oilermama | Jul 21, 2019

I had horrible hand pain... and it got so bad it hurt to put my hands in my pockets. The doctor prescribed Diclofenac Sodium cream (commercial name Volataren) and it has helped a bunch. I also had shots in the palms of both hands and those made an amazing difference. Anything to help with quality of life.

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baker1 | @baker1 | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @trixie1313 "@baker1 My lips and skin dried out a lot following chemo and since then I've been..." + (show)
@trixie1313

@baker1 My lips and skin dried out a lot following chemo and since then I've been using Aquaphor for lips before I go to bed and CeraVe daily for skin and face which seems to help.

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I was told that Aquaphor dries the lips and not to use it. Burt'sBee balm has done the trick for me.

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trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @baker1 "I was told that Aquaphor dries the lips and not to use it. Burt'sBee balm has..." + (show)
@baker1

I was told that Aquaphor dries the lips and not to use it. Burt'sBee balm has done the trick for me.

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@baker1 I was given that (Aquaphor healing ointment in tube) as well as CeraVe by another breast cancer patient before I started chemo. I have always had trouble with cold sores on my lips as well as cracking lips. This got me through chemo and radiation. Everyone is individual and sometimes we get advice that works for some and not for others. I'm glad the Burt's Bee balm has helped you.

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tammyp | @tammyp | Jul 21, 2019

I'm on Letrazole. Every joint in my body has pain. I had a steroid shot in my hand to relieve the excruciating hand pain. I have received great relief with it and the Diclofenac Sodium. I have also been rubbing little on my knees and seeing relief as well.

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tammyp | @tammyp | Jul 21, 2019

As for the Aquaphor, I use it on my entire body. My Radiation Oncologist highly recommended it. It works on my lips, too.

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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @trixie1313 "@baker1 I was given that (Aquaphor healing ointment in tube) as well as CeraVe by another..." + (show)
@trixie1313

@baker1 I was given that (Aquaphor healing ointment in tube) as well as CeraVe by another breast cancer patient before I started chemo. I have always had trouble with cold sores on my lips as well as cracking lips. This got me through chemo and radiation. Everyone is individual and sometimes we get advice that works for some and not for others. I'm glad the Burt's Bee balm has helped you.

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What do you use for cold sores that help either prevent or reduce the outbreaks

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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Jul 21, 2019
In reply to @tammyp "I'm on Letrazole. Every joint in my body has pain. I had a steroid shot in..." + (show)
@tammyp

I'm on Letrazole. Every joint in my body has pain. I had a steroid shot in my hand to relieve the excruciating hand pain. I have received great relief with it and the Diclofenac Sodium. I have also been rubbing little on my knees and seeing relief as well.

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It was the same for me. Then my oncologist put me on Tomoxifen -much better

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oilermama | @oilermama | Jul 21, 2019

over the counter meds. We get it at Walgreens... I also use Clinique's lip cream; it is expensive but the only thing that I have found that works.

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