Anastazole for breast cancer and memory loss?

I TOTALLY understand what you are experiencing. I have gone back and forth like a drunken ant and finally made what I call my Sophie’s Choice decision. Anastrozole did not offer me a quality of life that I could move forward with and experience. Prescribers challenged my thinking - I had a hiatus for 2 weeks and I am currently on a 3 month hiatus. Some side effects have ebbed considerably and others such as joint and specifically knees seems more challenging. If I had researched this drug in more detail I believe I would never have taken it. But no one other than the person taking it and experiencing these side effects can possibly realize where we are at this moment - not even myself to begin with. I have now researched how long I should have to deal with side effects once I have stopped taking Anastrozole. It seems that joint and muscle issues can take months. I just worry that while Anastrozole might block estrogen/hormones re Breast Cancer, it’s deprivation of hormones/estrogen in other areas that are deprived of estrogen/hormones aka arthritis in knees, back etc might invite issues. .
I have always been diligent my entire adult life in getting mammos. I of course will continue that diligence. I have an appointment today with a physical therapy group. I have a follow up manmo in September. I will continue to follow all new and exciting efforts to help me keep moving on in the OVERALL both mental and physical way possible. We are women who deserve to carry on through our earned definition of what quality of life means to us. Ever onward!!

Thank u for replying. I have decided today, 7/6/23, to stop taking Anastrozole fir a month to see how my body reacts. I’ve been on it for 18 months and side effects are getting worse not better. I have done a lot of research and exemestane could b the answer. I’m 71 and I’ve no real quality of life with Anastrozole so it will b interesting to see how I will feel. X

Thank u for replying. I have decided today, 7/6/23, to stop taking Anastrozole fir a month to see how my body reacts. I’ve been on it for 18 months and side effects are getting worse not better. I have done a lot of research and exemestane could b the answer. I’m 71 and I’ve no real quality of life with Anastrozole so it will b interesting to see how I will feel. X

I TOTALLY understand what you are experiencing. I have gone back and forth like a drunken ant and finally made what I call my Sophie’s Choice decision. Anastrozole did not offer me a quality of life that I could move forward with and experience. Prescribers challenged my thinking - I had a hiatus for 2 weeks and I am currently on a 3 month hiatus. Some side effects have ebbed considerably and others such as joint and specifically knees seems more challenging. If I had researched this drug in more detail I believe I would never have taken it. But no one other than the person taking it and experiencing these side effects can possibly realize where we are at this moment - not even myself to begin with. I have now researched how long I should have to deal with side effects once I have stopped taking Anastrozole. It seems that joint and muscle issues can take months. I just worry that while Anastrozole might block estrogen/hormones re Breast Cancer, it’s deprivation of hormones/estrogen in other areas that are deprived of estrogen/hormones aka arthritis in knees, back etc might invite issues. .
I have always been diligent my entire adult life in getting mammos. I of course will continue that diligence. I have an appointment today with a physical therapy group. I have a follow up manmo in September. I will continue to follow all new and exciting efforts to help me keep moving on in the OVERALL both mental and physical way possible. We are women who deserve to carry on through our earned definition of what quality of life means to us. Ever onward!!

Did u have any other symptoms on Anastrozole? Like back pain?

Hi ladies, I believe it is different for everyone. Initially, I had severe joint pain and tried, tamoxifen, and letrozole and then ended up staying on anastrozole. After a few months, I no longer had side effects. There are concerns about AI's decreasing bone density and raising cholesterol. I went off the medication in December after taking it for 5 years. I had hormone-receptive invasive ductal carcinoma with no lymph node involvement. I had a lumpectomy and radiation. My cholesterol still reads the same as it always has and I get a twice-annual injection of Prolia for bone loss. I had a bone density scan and some areas have improved and others have stayed the same. But no worse! I don't have any side effects from the Prolia. I don't feel much different after going off the anastrozole. I took magnesium, calcium, Vitamin D-3, celery root, cherry juice, zinc, and St. Johns Wort throughout the 5 years and continue to take them. I also practice yoga, and meditation daily, light weights, walking, and cycling. Movement is super important for joint pain. It really helps! Especially when you don't feel like it. The aromatase inhibitors really help. They give you protection and "put to sleep" any remaining cancer cells that are hiding. There was a 1.5 per cent difference if I kept taking the medication for 2 more years. I opted not to. 5 years was enough for me. Some treatment is extended to 7-10 years if you had lymph node involvement. I feel good about taking it and they say if you don't have a recurrence after 5 years you are probably okay. Although there's always a chance. Many women have lived for many more years after breast cancer and treatment. I hope we are in that group. Love and blessings to you all. It's a roll of the dice... The oncologists know best. My advice is to take their advice.