Side Effects of Anastrozole - bone loss

I think it is important to take into consideration that everyone is in a different place with their treatment and personal situation. I also feel like some people don't believe that side effects from medications are real. In my personal situation it was explained to me that I metabolize medications very slowly so they stay in my body longer and hence I react differently than most. There is nothing I can do about that but I can make decisions for my care based on that fact. I have discussed with my oncologist my desires for treatment and she is respectful. When the medication severely alters my quality of life, and if the outcome is not a cure but to keep me alive for a period of months it isn't an option for me if I am sick the entire time. I try to take each day as it comes, after being off Anastrozole now for six months, I feel better than I have in the last year. My blood pressure is back to normal, joint pain is gone, I'm sleeping better, trigger fingers are no longer an issue, and I don't have the fatigue. For me it was the right decision and I will deal with what happens as it comes.

It sounds like an exact description of what I encountered though it occurred later in the treatment. It was in my right thumb and left pinkie, I would wake during the night and have to manually "open" them. I also have carpal tunnel which is aggravated when I sleep. I have been off the med for six months now and it has taken that long to get rid of the severe joint pain and what they call "trigger" finger. I am left with osteoporosis, and other issues but sleep so much better, I am 76 and know it is a risk to discontinue it but I was a mess. The days are brighter now.

It sounds like an exact description of what I encountered though it occurred later in the treatment. It was in my right thumb and left pinkie, I would wake during the night and have to manually "open" them. I also have carpal tunnel which is aggravated when I sleep. I have been off the med for six months now and it has taken that long to get rid of the severe joint pain and what they call "trigger" finger. I am left with osteoporosis, and other issues but sleep so much better, I am 76 and know it is a risk to discontinue it but I was a mess. The days are brighter now.

I am 77 years of age,. Prior to having a lumpectomy and several lymph nodes removed a year ago June, I took myself off anastrozole because of daily migraines with auras, extreme bone ache, and a life whereby I was confined to a chair. Nine months later, doctor told me the lumps were just scar tissue. Three weeks ago I had biopsies and received another cancer diagnosis. Surgeon demands a mastectomy and 5 years of anastrozole. I must make a decision by next week. Currently I am enjoying life, which includes walking my dogs 4-5 miles a day. I should have taken the user name "Confused".

I am 77 years of age,. Prior to having a lumpectomy and several lymph nodes removed a year ago June, I took myself off anastrozole because of daily migraines with auras, extreme bone ache, and a life whereby I was confined to a chair. Nine months later, doctor told me the lumps were just scar tissue. Three weeks ago I had biopsies and received another cancer diagnosis. Surgeon demands a mastectomy and 5 years of anastrozole. I must make a decision by next week. Currently I am enjoying life, which includes walking my dogs 4-5 miles a day. I should have taken the user name "Confused".

I am 77 years of age,. Prior to having a lumpectomy and several lymph nodes removed a year ago June, I took myself off anastrozole because of daily migraines with auras, extreme bone ache, and a life whereby I was confined to a chair. Nine months later, doctor told me the lumps were just scar tissue. Three weeks ago I had biopsies and received another cancer diagnosis. Surgeon demands a mastectomy and 5 years of anastrozole. I must make a decision by next week. Currently I am enjoying life, which includes walking my dogs 4-5 miles a day. I should have taken the user name "Confused".

@wpglea I had mastectomies and went "flat." I switched from generic anastrazole to brand name letrozole (Femara) and tolerated it quite well. That's just me. But it is an option to try different AI's and different manufacturers.

For bones they will offer Reclast during treatment. I have recently been offered a test dose of 20%, 1 mg vs the full 5mg. If I tolerate that, I can do a half dose, which is supposed to be just as effective. Good luck!