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.

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I am very tired and feel lazy after stopping anastrazole. Took for five years and I am working against letting the tiredness get to me already hair loss and dry hair It is worth in the end feeling sorry for myself counter productive. This too shall pass. Lucky to have anastrazole to save my life and see my grandchildren to grow up

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@islandelder

I've been on it for about 5 months now. I had a little dizziness when I first started--and crying jags! But it seems to have settled down now and if there are any side effects they're minimal enough to be confused with something else. Hang in there!

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One day at a time you can do it. I too struggle. Now I have finished my five year treatment. Life ahead and is looking good

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@ycnan

I just finished taking Anastrazole after having been on it 10 years. I too am experiencing extreme fatigue. How long does it take to to work through the withdrawal process?

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I am off anastrazole after five years first and second week exhaustion. Now third eeek. Much better. Hang in there. Yeah no diahrea

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I cannot give you advice on this, but I do know that the Arimidex drug is extremely strong, and your body has adjusted as best as it can over the years taking it. So, your body is now telling you something and no nurse or doctor can categorically claim something they don't know about - your body! It's beyond my comprehension how the medical profession just blithely tells you it's 'all in your head' as they tend to do. We are all different and have different reactions. This is my own opinion, but when you have been taking a very strong pill for many years, you should come off it slowly. Take it 6 days a week, then 5 days a week and so on. This helps your body to go off the medicine gradually, so you don't have too many side effects. What people don't realize is, you have side effects taking the drug, so it makes sense that going off the drug also causes side effects. I'm not a medical professional, this is just what I call 'common sense'? I hope you will be fine - drinks lots of water and have plenty of rest. Blessings!

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@nanna1948

I am off anastrazole after five years first and second week exhaustion. Now third eeek. Much better. Hang in there. Yeah no diahrea

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That is good! I am in week 4 and feeling worse--nausea, weakness, extreme exhaustion, and I even fainted once. I hope I get to feeling better soon!

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@peaches2

I too just finished taking Anastrazole after years and having incredible fatigue. Is it related to stopping?

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I am in week 4 and still feel terrible! I definitely think it is related.

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I took anastrozole.fpr 5 years and just stopped a couple weeks ago. I am experiencing menstrual type bloating along with mild cramps. I never had any problems while on the drug. I sincerely hope this is temporary.

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After five years, I just stopped taking anastrozole. I didn’t realize it when I was taking it because I didn’t think I had any negative reaction to it but I am feeling more clearheaded. I am questioning if it affected my mental abilities. I’m not making as many mistakes as I did, my mood seems to be better Thinking back on it now I was actually wondering if I was headed towards senility… I am in my 70s. I am going to think I am feeling more mentally like I did before this whole disaster. Has anyone else had this feeling of being more aware and on the ball?

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@sandyjr

After five years, I just stopped taking anastrozole. I didn’t realize it when I was taking it because I didn’t think I had any negative reaction to it but I am feeling more clearheaded. I am questioning if it affected my mental abilities. I’m not making as many mistakes as I did, my mood seems to be better Thinking back on it now I was actually wondering if I was headed towards senility… I am in my 70s. I am going to think I am feeling more mentally like I did before this whole disaster. Has anyone else had this feeling of being more aware and on the ball?

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Yes my mind is clearer. I am not as tired. I am 75 so I didn’t realize how many side effects were age related. No more diahrea is the best post anastrazole relief. Good luck.

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@muzikmom66

I took anastrozole.fpr 5 years and just stopped a couple weeks ago. I am experiencing menstrual type bloating along with mild cramps. I never had any problems while on the drug. I sincerely hope this is temporary.

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Hi @muzikmom66, sounds like you should talk to your doctor about the bloating and cramping. It could very well be your body adjusting, but I say it is better to be safe than sorry.

Have you noticed the bloating and cramping lessening these past few days? Any other changes?

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