No to hand tremors and foot numbness. Yes to trigger finger. It first started on my ring finger. It does not get stuck but there's numbness and loss of strength. A little bit of pain. I did 2 months of occupational therapy (hand massage, ultrasound machine massage). It worked for a while then everything came back, it is even worse now. Then I had pain in my thumb. I went to an orthopedist and she injected a cortisone shot to my thumb, which is still working (~6 months). I will see her again for my ring finger next week.
No hand tremors or numbness but I do have trigger finger in my right pinky and arthritis in my right wrist which is possibly carpet tunnel. I see my plastic surgeon for in a few weeks. I did however make the decision to stop Arimidex. My other symptoms of memory loss, 13% bone loss, anxiety , depression affected my quality of life to the point I needed to find an alternative, I am now seeing an MD/Naturopath who is part of the same Sutter Health organization my allopathic oncologist is part of. I just recently had my 3 estrogen levels checked which I don't have results for yet but these figures will determine our course of action. Am taking a myriad of natural AI supplements now. Stopped Arimidex on June 6ths and my mood is lifting and feel like I can actually fight this disease better because I have more energy for exercise, etc. Even brisk walking an hour a day 4xweek lowers bad estrogen by 19%. I believe our brains, bones, heart, muscles, etc need estrogen (the good kind which is not contributing to our cancers).
Also, wanted to ask if anyone on here has or is experiencing mood disturbances or anger issues related to depression around their hormone blocker. This has been the most insidious side effect which my family has noticed. The depression is just below the surface. I'm hoping it goes away now that I have stopped the med.
No hand tremors or numbness but I do have trigger finger in my right pinky and arthritis in my right wrist which is possibly carpet tunnel. I see my plastic surgeon for in a few weeks. I did however make the decision to stop Arimidex. My other symptoms of memory loss, 13% bone loss, anxiety , depression affected my quality of life to the point I needed to find an alternative, I am now seeing an MD/Naturopath who is part of the same Sutter Health organization my allopathic oncologist is part of. I just recently had my 3 estrogen levels checked which I don't have results for yet but these figures will determine our course of action. Am taking a myriad of natural AI supplements now. Stopped Arimidex on June 6ths and my mood is lifting and feel like I can actually fight this disease better because I have more energy for exercise, etc. Even brisk walking an hour a day 4xweek lowers bad estrogen by 19%. I believe our brains, bones, heart, muscles, etc need estrogen (the good kind which is not contributing to our cancers).
Not everyone has such side effects. I’m on this for 15 mos. And I have mild ( sometimes moderate) joint discomfort which IS alleviated with walking and yoga style stretching, and hand exercises and massaging. An occasional Tylenol has been used too.
I’m 72 and I just biked 20 miles ( not unusual for me) walked about 5-6 miles daily while in Italy , I played an hour of tennis yesterday ( in 90 degrees) etc etc
In other words … it is sometimes uncomfortable but not life changing FOR ME. I am lucky that my body can mitigate . I usually react poorly to meds and I was terrified to start Anastrozole especially as I am 98 & 99% ER + ( two foci) My heart goes out to those who have major difficulties; some cannot tolerate the extreme side effects they may get. But many many can and some have no side effects.
My user friendly advice is to try it out if your oncologist feels it will benefit you. It’s a once a day med. if you can’t tolerate it you will know and you can find alternatives… or stop.
Maybe give it a try and see if your body is ok with it. My fears were unfounded.
Also, wanted to ask if anyone on here has or is experiencing mood disturbances or anger issues related to depression around their hormone blocker. This has been the most insidious side effect which my family has noticed. The depression is just below the surface. I'm hoping it goes away now that I have stopped the med.
I would encourage trying it. I am almost 48 and have been on it for about 15 months. The first six months were the most challenging, but even then, it was only mild to moderate pain, particularly in the morning. As my doctor encouraged, exercise is really the antidote. Movement alleviated the pain. Also, there are studies that show side effects often peak at about six months. That was the case for me. Now, I have some stiffness in my hands, and some hot flashes occasionally in the evenings and night, but that’s about it. I have not had mood changes or brain fog.
Does the brain fog /memory issues subside after 6 mo's also or is that permanent? I was on Tamoxiphen for my first DCIS 14 yrs ago and it caused permanent memory issues and word retrieval issues. I'm terrified of the Anastrozole I've been on for the past 2 months with my recent new cancer in the contralateral breast.... And wondering why my Oncologist didn't recommend a double mastectomy vs the lumpectomy, radiation and Anastrozole... Has anyones memory improved once they completed the Anastrozole??
Not everyone has such side effects. I’m on this for 15 mos. And I have mild ( sometimes moderate) joint discomfort which IS alleviated with walking and yoga style stretching, and hand exercises and massaging. An occasional Tylenol has been used too.
I’m 72 and I just biked 20 miles ( not unusual for me) walked about 5-6 miles daily while in Italy , I played an hour of tennis yesterday ( in 90 degrees) etc etc
In other words … it is sometimes uncomfortable but not life changing FOR ME. I am lucky that my body can mitigate . I usually react poorly to meds and I was terrified to start Anastrozole especially as I am 98 & 99% ER + ( two foci) My heart goes out to those who have major difficulties; some cannot tolerate the extreme side effects they may get. But many many can and some have no side effects.
My user friendly advice is to try it out if your oncologist feels it will benefit you. It’s a once a day med. if you can’t tolerate it you will know and you can find alternatives… or stop.
Maybe give it a try and see if your body is ok with it. My fears were unfounded.
Is there a medical reason or statistics around that suggest 98-99% estrogen positive cancer would have greater side effects to AI's due to the high percentage? I'm also 98-99% ER+ and 97% Progesterone +.
My breast cancer is 1A, DCIS. I have been on arimdex and six months in experienced terrible joint pain and the seizing of my hands with thumb, tall finger and ring finger triggering. Only other side effect has been weight gain of 30 lbs. Anyone else experience this?
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No to hand tremors and foot numbness. Yes to trigger finger. It first started on my ring finger. It does not get stuck but there's numbness and loss of strength. A little bit of pain. I did 2 months of occupational therapy (hand massage, ultrasound machine massage). It worked for a while then everything came back, it is even worse now. Then I had pain in my thumb. I went to an orthopedist and she injected a cortisone shot to my thumb, which is still working (~6 months). I will see her again for my ring finger next week.
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1 ReactionNo hand tremors or numbness but I do have trigger finger in my right pinky and arthritis in my right wrist which is possibly carpet tunnel. I see my plastic surgeon for in a few weeks. I did however make the decision to stop Arimidex. My other symptoms of memory loss, 13% bone loss, anxiety , depression affected my quality of life to the point I needed to find an alternative, I am now seeing an MD/Naturopath who is part of the same Sutter Health organization my allopathic oncologist is part of. I just recently had my 3 estrogen levels checked which I don't have results for yet but these figures will determine our course of action. Am taking a myriad of natural AI supplements now. Stopped Arimidex on June 6ths and my mood is lifting and feel like I can actually fight this disease better because I have more energy for exercise, etc. Even brisk walking an hour a day 4xweek lowers bad estrogen by 19%. I believe our brains, bones, heart, muscles, etc need estrogen (the good kind which is not contributing to our cancers).
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6 ReactionsAlso, wanted to ask if anyone on here has or is experiencing mood disturbances or anger issues related to depression around their hormone blocker. This has been the most insidious side effect which my family has noticed. The depression is just below the surface. I'm hoping it goes away now that I have stopped the med.
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4 ReactionsI am terrified of taking any of these blockers after my surgery so thank you for this information.
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3 ReactionsNot everyone has such side effects. I’m on this for 15 mos. And I have mild ( sometimes moderate) joint discomfort which IS alleviated with walking and yoga style stretching, and hand exercises and massaging. An occasional Tylenol has been used too.
I’m 72 and I just biked 20 miles ( not unusual for me) walked about 5-6 miles daily while in Italy , I played an hour of tennis yesterday ( in 90 degrees) etc etc
In other words … it is sometimes uncomfortable but not life changing FOR ME. I am lucky that my body can mitigate . I usually react poorly to meds and I was terrified to start Anastrozole especially as I am 98 & 99% ER + ( two foci) My heart goes out to those who have major difficulties; some cannot tolerate the extreme side effects they may get. But many many can and some have no side effects.
My user friendly advice is to try it out if your oncologist feels it will benefit you. It’s a once a day med. if you can’t tolerate it you will know and you can find alternatives… or stop.
Maybe give it a try and see if your body is ok with it. My fears were unfounded.
-
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Helpful -
Hug
8 ReactionsYes, along with all the other side effects I've mentioned mood disturbance (particularly anger) would strike at weird times.
I would encourage trying it. I am almost 48 and have been on it for about 15 months. The first six months were the most challenging, but even then, it was only mild to moderate pain, particularly in the morning. As my doctor encouraged, exercise is really the antidote. Movement alleviated the pain. Also, there are studies that show side effects often peak at about six months. That was the case for me. Now, I have some stiffness in my hands, and some hot flashes occasionally in the evenings and night, but that’s about it. I have not had mood changes or brain fog.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsDoes the brain fog /memory issues subside after 6 mo's also or is that permanent? I was on Tamoxiphen for my first DCIS 14 yrs ago and it caused permanent memory issues and word retrieval issues. I'm terrified of the Anastrozole I've been on for the past 2 months with my recent new cancer in the contralateral breast.... And wondering why my Oncologist didn't recommend a double mastectomy vs the lumpectomy, radiation and Anastrozole... Has anyones memory improved once they completed the Anastrozole??
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionIs there a medical reason or statistics around that suggest 98-99% estrogen positive cancer would have greater side effects to AI's due to the high percentage? I'm also 98-99% ER+ and 97% Progesterone +.
My breast cancer is 1A, DCIS. I have been on arimdex and six months in experienced terrible joint pain and the seizing of my hands with thumb, tall finger and ring finger triggering. Only other side effect has been weight gain of 30 lbs. Anyone else experience this?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction