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

sparklegram @baker1
I pay $5 for a 3-month supply with Kaiser insurance and their senior advantage.

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I’m with KY retired teachers insurance through Anthem.

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@cfacarol

I think you are correct about why exemestane is so expensive. Does anyone know anything about the those online discount coupons for prescription drugs? I’ve been taking Femara (letrozole) for 2 months and although the side effects are not intolerable, I don’t feel great. The anecdotal comments about Aromasin (exemestane) sound promising. I have Medicare with the AARP/UHC supplement so cost will be prohibitive unless those coupons are valid. There is 0 cost for the Femara.

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Several years back, there was no generic for something which I was prescribed. The cost, even with my very good drug plan, was outrageous. I decided to explore online coupons. I found one from the manufacturer of the pill which I could use at a retail pharmacy which was fine with me (it saved me a gzillion dollars). About the time it expired, a generic came out which my drug plan was happy to provide.

In the case of exemestane (Aromasin), you might want to start with Pfiser and see what it is willing to do. If it is a question of negotiation, be armed with other coupons and ask if they are willing to match them.

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@cfacarol

I think you are correct about why exemestane is so expensive. Does anyone know anything about the those online discount coupons for prescription drugs? I’ve been taking Femara (letrozole) for 2 months and although the side effects are not intolerable, I don’t feel great. The anecdotal comments about Aromasin (exemestane) sound promising. I have Medicare with the AARP/UHC supplement so cost will be prohibitive unless those coupons are valid. There is 0 cost for the Femara.

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When I started Letrazole it was going to be over $1100 for 3 months! I used the GOODRX coupon and it was $57 for 3 months. Isn't that crazy?
I am now on Anastrozole and with the GOODRX coupon I get 3 months for $26 at Wal-Mart.
Look them up. Different pharmacies are different prices.

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Yes ive been on arimidex for 3mo my hair has gotten thin but but started biotin and its coming back but its very fine. Its thd extrene exhaustion thats gettibg me down as wrlk as muscle weakness. I was extremely active before and at 70 all my dr. Say i dont act that old nor look that old. Well now i feel like 90 and i have 4.5 years to go. I had hrp1 grade 1 non aggressive all lymph node clean cancer was smaller than a cheerio no chemo no radiation. I wonder if this is realky necessary. All kinds of female issues i didnt have before. Maybe you will be among wonen who have no side affects

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@bressie

Yes ive been on arimidex for 3mo my hair has gotten thin but but started biotin and its coming back but its very fine. Its thd extrene exhaustion thats gettibg me down as wrlk as muscle weakness. I was extremely active before and at 70 all my dr. Say i dont act that old nor look that old. Well now i feel like 90 and i have 4.5 years to go. I had hrp1 grade 1 non aggressive all lymph node clean cancer was smaller than a cheerio no chemo no radiation. I wonder if this is realky necessary. All kinds of female issues i didnt have before. Maybe you will be among wonen who have no side affects

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bressie, i was on Arimidex for almost 2 years. I quit a week ago because I simply can't take the side effects. My doctor has prescribed Exemestane. I'm hoping I can tolerate it better than the other. Like you, I'm in my 70's (I just turned 75) and quality of life is important! I will continue taking the meds for the 5 years. i don't want a recurrence, so...fingers crossed!

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@bressie

Yes ive been on arimidex for 3mo my hair has gotten thin but but started biotin and its coming back but its very fine. Its thd extrene exhaustion thats gettibg me down as wrlk as muscle weakness. I was extremely active before and at 70 all my dr. Say i dont act that old nor look that old. Well now i feel like 90 and i have 4.5 years to go. I had hrp1 grade 1 non aggressive all lymph node clean cancer was smaller than a cheerio no chemo no radiation. I wonder if this is realky necessary. All kinds of female issues i didnt have before. Maybe you will be among wonen who have no side affects

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Why don’t you try Tamoxifen - less side effects

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@sparklegram

bressie, i was on Arimidex for almost 2 years. I quit a week ago because I simply can't take the side effects. My doctor has prescribed Exemestane. I'm hoping I can tolerate it better than the other. Like you, I'm in my 70's (I just turned 75) and quality of life is important! I will continue taking the meds for the 5 years. i don't want a recurrence, so...fingers crossed!

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Did you doc offer up Tomoxifen ?

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@bressie

Yes ive been on arimidex for 3mo my hair has gotten thin but but started biotin and its coming back but its very fine. Its thd extrene exhaustion thats gettibg me down as wrlk as muscle weakness. I was extremely active before and at 70 all my dr. Say i dont act that old nor look that old. Well now i feel like 90 and i have 4.5 years to go. I had hrp1 grade 1 non aggressive all lymph node clean cancer was smaller than a cheerio no chemo no radiation. I wonder if this is realky necessary. All kinds of female issues i didnt have before. Maybe you will be among wonen who have no side affects

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@bressie I am 65 and tried 2 different meds and decided with 4 grandsons and a life of moving around I could not handle that kinda quality of life!
My BC was 1A hers negative, pro+, er+ 2 lymph nodes nothing in them or marginal tissue, 20 radiation treatments, and a hysterectomy
You can do it!!
Decide what you want to feel like and the quality of life!!!

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