Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I have been an active member of this discussion for quite a while and so I thought I'd share here a new complication I am experiencing with my breast cancer 'recovery'. First, yesterday was my four year anniversary of my bi lateral mastectomy and I'll have my check up in December and hope that I am four years cancer free.....that's the good news! Unfortunately a little over two weeks ago I got cellulitis in my left hand (from a tiny, itty bitty cut) and I went into sepsis. I was hospitalized for 6 days on IV antibiotics and released on a long term IV antibiotic. I am allergic to antibiotics, so it's been a huge challenge. Every oral antibiotic they add to help my recovery (which is slow at best to kill the infection) has sent me to the ER with an allergic reaction.
The cellulitis is in the left arm that had some very mild lymphodema (that the doctors were very slow to acknowledge due to the fact that only one lymph node was removed during surgery). I thought I had the lymphodema in decent control after a scar revision surgery 3 years ago, but I think maybe not.
Anyone experience cellulitis or sepsis from lymphodema or? I'm finding it hard to get more information or support (and the doctors are of course focused on killing the infection and struggling somewhat). Looking for input wherever I might find it. Thanks!

@kathyomaha55
I am 68 now and went off anastrozole after a short periods of time and letrozole due to the severe bone pain. My doctor let me take a break and then started me on exemestane...what a difference. I can now walk without severe pain in feet and ankle, elbows, hands, etc. I have recently switched from taking it at night and now take it in the morning. I was having insomnia after sleeping 2-3 hours. Now that I am taking it in the morning, I sleep 7-8 hours a night...hoping that will keep up! I also go to therapeutic water exercise twice weekly and find this helps with arthritic pain.

Hi Trixie, I've posted several times about my bad experience with Anastrozole. I then went on Exemestane and had some negative side effects. Currently I'm taking a break from all the AIs and am scheduled to start Tamoxifen in January. I'm 75 and I'm very worried about blood clots with that drug, though. Does anyone have experience with Tamoxifen or have any credible information about the possible side effects?

I just started Exemestane like 6 weeks ago. What were the side effects you had - if you don't mind me asking. I was on Anastrozole previously like for 11 months. My hands hurt so much it was unbearable.

@kathyomaha55
Kathy - I don't know if this will help. A cousin is on anastrozole and purchased some sort of "copper" gloves that she wears at bedtime and says that helps with the hand pain. I never tried that while on anastrozole because my heels, elbows, hands, spine, etc., were so greatly affected so I went off that as well as having horrendous headaches. I next tried letrozole - no headaches but the bone pain was bad. Have been on exemestane now for 3 months and can say it is not so bad, just some bone aches although not like with the other two types of pills and manageable - when it gets too bad then I take some ibuprofen. I was taking the pill at night to avoid any side effects but wound up with insomnia and now that I have switched to taking in the morning, not really having that problem. I do have some hot flashes, but they are not too bad - I just try to dress in layers and that works for me.

I could not take any stomp tase inhibitors. The pain and side effects were too intense and I was too close to going to the er. Mayo recommended galoshes, which is a monthly injection - one shot in each buttock. The only side effect is the day I receive the shot I am very fatigued and sleep in the afternoon. My body seems to be doing well on this. It is different for everyone, but worth asking about

@dianamiracle, wow it looks like auto-correct made some interesting changes to some of the words in your text.
stomp tase inhibitors, obvious was supposed to be aromatase inhibitors, but "galoshes?" Is that supposed to be goserelin (Zoladex) perhaps? Or a new Minnesota winter phenomenon? 😉