Anastazole for breast cancer and memory loss?

Posted by rosy54 @rosy54, Mar 3, 2023

Recently, my doctor stopped my Anastrozole after 5 yrs on it for breast cancer.
Since then, my memory is poor and having hard time remembering. I fear I’m developing dementia (68 yrs old) My lack of memory seems worse after stopping Anastrozole. Anyone else have similar problem?

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nanna1948 | @nanna1948 | Jul 22, 2023

In reply to @rosy54 "5 yrs on Anastrozole I think that’s limit on it 3 yrs usually the amount of..." + (show)

My oncologist had me on anastrazole five years. Off now one month doing fine Not as tired and no more weight gain

rosy54 | @rosy54 | Jul 22, 2023

In reply to @ginip "Would you share how long you were taking Anastrozole?" + (show)

5 yrs I was on anastrozole. I really never noticed memory problems while taking it. It’s now 8 yrs later and having memory issues

rosy54 | @rosy54 | Jul 22, 2023

In reply to @lisman1408 "After about 6 months of taking Anastrozole, I couldn’t stand the memory loss any more. My..." + (show)

I often get “ you just asked me that” or I just told you!”
I get defensive at his remarks, he not getting it I have memory issues!

Gini Pariseau | @ginip | Jul 23, 2023

I researched “brain fog” and “muscle and joint” side effects. I was curious what else besides estrogen being blocked from the breast to help prevent breast cancer where else was being blocked from estrogen

It turns out that the benefits of Anastrozole which I was taking actually robbed estrogen from my brain and joints/muscles.

It explained so much to me re my muscle and joint issues. I was denying my muscles and joints of something they vitally needed - estrogen!

The Brain Fog was more subtle to me until I read my research further. My basic personality had changed and I thought it was depression from my continuing and progressive joint pain. It was more than that. Realizing how the brain needed estrogen gave me additional very important considerations as I entered a 3 month hiatus from Anastrozole sanctioned by my oncologist.

The results have given me my life back on some very consequential levels. I have another month on my hiatus and will then have a much more knowledgeable conversation with my oncologist.

Bottom line here is (in my opinion) Anastrozole (that I have been taking) doesn’t CAUSE brain issues and muscle/joint issues - it INVITES them. I was told continuously that it wasn’t Anastrozole that caused the pain I was experiencing - it was arthritis.
When researched it provided the more accurate explanation -
The lack of estrogen from Anastrozole was INVITING arthritis! My knee has come back to normal and my brain to appreciate the value of focus once again.

dyevooshka | @dyevooshka | Jul 23, 2023

In reply to @reneejean "Hi Dyevooshka, thank you for your reply. I think it is important for us to let..." + (show)

So true. PS, after a full 2 months on Anastrozole, I seem to be joining the "short term memory loss" group. Frustrating for me and annoying to my husband.(sad 😔)

dyevooshka | @dyevooshka | Jul 23, 2023

In reply to @rosy54 "I often get “ you just asked me that” or I just told you!” I get..." + (show)

You are not alone. I have joined you on Anastrozole and scattered memory.

rosa1935 | @rosa1935 | Jul 24, 2023

In reply to @ginip "I researched “brain fog” and “muscle and joint” side effects. I was curious what else besides..." + (show)

I’m waiting for results of MRI to find out once and for all what is causing my back pain. Hopefully it won’t b anything suspicious but the I’m in no man’s land at tge mo - is it side effects to Anastrozole and rivaroxaban, arthritis, or something else. I WILL change my meds irrespective of my result. I now have Breadt Cancer Nurses in Magnolia Clunic in York, on my side instead of depending on my gp surgery. So fingers crossed…. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻Nothing suspicious will b found x

Gini Pariseau | @ginip | Jul 24, 2023

In reply to @rosa1935 "I’m waiting for results of MRI to find out once and for all what is causing..." + (show)

I have my figures crossed for you too. You are doing good things for yourself!!

lorettalu | @lorettalu | Jul 24, 2023

In reply to @rosa1935 "Hi. I have been on Anastrozole fir nearly 2 years now. I do find I’m a..." + (show)

I took anastrazole for 6 weeks. It made me not feel well, always very tired, and a puffy bloated feeling in the morning. My doc had me try Exemestane. OMG! I’ve been on it for 9 days and I feel better than ever. I’m 67, have arthritis and for the last 30 years would get very tired after exercise, so did not overdo it or I’d sleep for 3 days. Yesterday I both lifted weights and did cardio, and no nap needed. No extra joint pain yet. This seems too good to be true, so the effects may change. But you might want to try it.