Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

What stage was your tumor - if you don't mind me asking. I'm getting 6 month check ups - but only for 3 years. I was stage 1 IDC.

@kathyomaha55 I was stage 1 IDC
2 lymph nodes out and clear, marginal tissue clear, Er and Pr positive, HERS negative, and had a hysterectomy because my tumor was oncotyped and found to have a RAD51C (I think) mutation.

Mine was all the same except I had 5 lymph nodes taken. NO hysterectomy. My onco type score was 22. No chemo , just radiation. You should ask why the checkups will go past 3 yrs? BTW I did not get a repeat MRI. Just Mammogram at 1 year. I go to University of Nebraska Medical Center.

@kathyomaha55
First tumor, Stage 2B metastatic ductal carcinoma, 3 out of 7 lymph nodes positive and 1 lymph node eroding into lymphatics. Second tumor, Stage 3 with neuroendocrine differentiation found on MRI breast in same breast as first tumor but opposite location. I will require PET scans every 6 months to be sure there is no spread of tumor to any organs or bone. Mammograms every 6 months as some activity on the latest and hoping it will just be fat necrosis from radiation effect.

@kathyomaha55 I did 20 radiation only, my score was 19. Because we had so much breast cancer in family (all 5 maternal great aunts had but in their later years) and the mutation and I am NOT taking any cancer meds (terrible side effects), I believe my oncologist is playing it safe? I just changed oncologist from Sanford Sioux Falls, he called me morbidly obese and weak and I think he was upset I did not want to be a part of his research study. So, my new oncologist is so different and open. He even said my cancer was so close to stage 0. I am going through Avera cancer center

Wow - what a jerk! I'd get a new oncologist too. I'm sticking with the anastrozole for now - not sure if I can last the full 5 years. I had 21 radiation treatments. Well hang in there - you are not alone. I'm obese - but am working on that. Joined the YMCA. Small steps.

@kathyomaha55 I start the at the wellness center this week..
I was surprised when he laid in to me about my weight because he had told me 6 months before I would gain with the hysterectomy plus I had started walking and wearing a fit bit; so I was doing 5,000 to 15,000 steps a day!
Good luck on the meds! I could not stand the cloudiness, the aches, the high BP.
We all stand together for support!

@gwinter The Taxol chemo made me gain weight and then the second AI (letrozole) made me gain weight. I'm under 5 feet and now weigh 178 lbs....yes, I am morbidly obese per the BMI charts. However, I walk 3 miles every other day and also go to therapeutic water exercise twice weekly. Had to have total hysterectomy in my 40s so no ovaries and am low thyroid. Just keep moving. I'm trying to eat less and move more, but it's a battle!

Trixie, as I've mentioned several times here, I'm taking Arimidex and the side effects are not good! I took an 8 week leave from them (with my Oncologist's OK) and saw relief) i began taking them again on Sept. 9th, hoping they wouldn't return but they have. I have an email into my doctor to see if I can take another test break, returning to the state of health I had BEFORE Arimidex and then try a different drug. Trixie, how long have you been on Exemestane, and how are you feeling? i just read a pretty reassuring article about that drug. https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/research/exemestane-reduces-risk

Sparklegram, I was on Anastrozole for about 6 months and had some awful side effects. The worst being problems with cognitive function and memory loss. I was very fearful that I was starting to slip into dementia. My doctor switched me to Tomoxifin and the cognitive problems were better, but not relieved. She then gave me several months of no meds at all to see if those cognitive issues world get better. Sure enough, after just a month or so of being off meds., my cognitive abilities were fine again. Yes, Anastrozole and other estrogen medications can cause memory issues. At my most recent appointment, about a month ago, my oncologist switched me to Exemestane. So far it’s been ok, with few side effects. Hoping it stays that way for me! Best of luck to you in finding just the right treatment/meds for you. I surely is a challenge!