Completed 5 years of anastrozole. Withdrawal symptoms? Side effects?

Posted by christinej @christinej, Jul 24, 2018

Monday, July 23rd, after consulting with Dr. Loprinzi, we decided to have me stop taking anastrozole. (Arimidex). It has been 5 years since I started the drug after breast cancer surgery and radiation. Has anyone stopped this drug and had any withdrawal symptoms? The nurse from Blue Group sent me an email today saying that there are no withdrawal symptoms after stopping this drug. Soooooooooooooo, is this all in my head? Definitely having some type of withdrawal.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

@colleenyoung

@nanna1948, I moved your message to this existing, active discussion:
- Completed 5 years of anastrozole. Withdrawal symptoms? Side effects? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stopping-anastrozole-after-5-years-withdrawal-symptoms/

I did this so you can easily connect with others who have completed their course of anastrazole.

Nanna, how long has it been since you finished your 5 years of AI treatment?

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Thanks for doing this. It has been only three weeks since I stopped. One cup of regular coffee early afternoon is helping. Otherwise doing fine Sleeping like a baby at night and no more diahrea

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Wow! If you follow this platform of sharing experiences you realize that the variations are amazing.

Anastrozole is a one size fits all remedy that is prescribed for any who have the words Breast Cancer associated with their diagnosis. It’s intent can’t be challenged and invites anyone taking Anestrozole or its equivalent to be aware of side effects.
The side effects that are the first you are made aware of are so main stream that I angrily say you can find them on the back of a ketchup bottle. The levels after that if you decide to research further do require your attention because they are more specific and more debilitating.
All knowledge and decisions based on that are so individual they run the risk never really wholly connecting with anyone specifically.
Unlike most men, women seek out this connection anyway. Women are looking for that lost ingredient in their situation that allows them to determine whether they can evaluate, understand and decide what is best for them on all the levels that they require and can deal with on a day-to-day basis.

I will say that my process has involved knowledgeable well-intentioned medical staff, friends and forums such as this.

At times I have felt like a hypochondriac as I have received the ‘Tylenol and Bengay’ prescription.
I have gone through the ‘Suck it up’ phase and finally realized decision-making is something we women have all evolved towards and cherish.
Make the medical profession understand the specifics of what YOU are experiencing. Appreciate their input and then decide what you think is best for you. You have something no one else can comprehend or give you. Your experience in this.
Research, listen and endure as much as YOU can and make your decision in the moment you are in as wisely as you can.

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I have been taking Anastrozole for a little over a year now, following breast cancer surgery and radiation. As mentioned the side effects vary. I have experienced joint pain, carpal tunnel and trigger finger pain. I also have some gastrointestinal issues on Anastrozole. In addition I have insomnia at times. For me, I will tolerate these side effects because I feel safer from my cancer recurring.

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@francine6829

https://www.answersbeyond5.com/what-is-bci - this appears to be to determine if you should continue estrogen therapy beyond five years. Am I reading this correctly?

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Hi….. I was on anastrozole for 5 years for breast cancer. My doctor told me to stop taking it after 5 years there’s no value to continue.
I’m suffering from memory problems and worried I’m developing dementia because of it. I’ve often wonder if there’s a connection with taking anastrozole for too many years and now suffering with memory loss issues. I’m worried at 68 yrs if my memory will get worse😢

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@jc1926

I have been taking Anastrozole for a little over a year now, following breast cancer surgery and radiation. As mentioned the side effects vary. I have experienced joint pain, carpal tunnel and trigger finger pain. I also have some gastrointestinal issues on Anastrozole. In addition I have insomnia at times. For me, I will tolerate these side effects because I feel safer from my cancer recurring.

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I too had gastro side effects. I am off three weeks and already my gastro situation is much better. I am still tired but I push it through I am 75 years old Cup of regular coffee early afternoon does help .

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@nanna1948

I too had gastro side effects. I am off three weeks and already my gastro situation is much better. I am still tired but I push it through I am 75 years old Cup of regular coffee early afternoon does help .

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Oh yes. I forgot to mention the tiredness I feel after returning home from work. I’m completely drained of all energy. Even during the work day, I’m noticing exhaustion that I never felt before taking Anastrozole. And I agree 100% that coffee helps! Thanks for your validation. I wish you the very best.

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@ginip

Wow! If you follow this platform of sharing experiences you realize that the variations are amazing.

Anastrozole is a one size fits all remedy that is prescribed for any who have the words Breast Cancer associated with their diagnosis. It’s intent can’t be challenged and invites anyone taking Anestrozole or its equivalent to be aware of side effects.
The side effects that are the first you are made aware of are so main stream that I angrily say you can find them on the back of a ketchup bottle. The levels after that if you decide to research further do require your attention because they are more specific and more debilitating.
All knowledge and decisions based on that are so individual they run the risk never really wholly connecting with anyone specifically.
Unlike most men, women seek out this connection anyway. Women are looking for that lost ingredient in their situation that allows them to determine whether they can evaluate, understand and decide what is best for them on all the levels that they require and can deal with on a day-to-day basis.

I will say that my process has involved knowledgeable well-intentioned medical staff, friends and forums such as this.

At times I have felt like a hypochondriac as I have received the ‘Tylenol and Bengay’ prescription.
I have gone through the ‘Suck it up’ phase and finally realized decision-making is something we women have all evolved towards and cherish.
Make the medical profession understand the specifics of what YOU are experiencing. Appreciate their input and then decide what you think is best for you. You have something no one else can comprehend or give you. Your experience in this.
Research, listen and endure as much as YOU can and make your decision in the moment you are in as wisely as you can.

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Excellent points! Thanks

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@elinorg

Excellent points! Thanks

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Appreciate that so much!!

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@ginip

Seems from reading @chris2024 that might be the 5 year goal prescribed when she start taking the drug.

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Very tired and constipated. Trying drinking water

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@dabhaugen

Actually my fatigue seems to be worse after stopping anastrazole. It’s challenging. Others too?!

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I agree. I am working through it

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