1. < Breast Cancer

Anastrozole experience: Any tips for managing side effects?

Posted by jessicanell @jessicanell, Sep 21, 2023

I’m about to start at 52. I don’t know if I’m in menopause bc I took hrt before being diagnosed w early stage bc. My labs say I am. And since stopping hrt no periods.

I hear about all the menopause symptoms it comes with including joint pain. Do any of you find it ok?

I heard Claritin can help w joint pain. Any other tips?

I’m getting a bone density scan before starting. Tell me your experiences please 🙏

Thank you

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

chickenmom10 | @chickenmom10 | Sep 26, 2023
In reply to @nanna1948 "The only side I had was thinning of my hair. Diahrea was the most annoying one...." + (show)
@nanna1948

The only side I had was thinning of my hair. Diahrea was the most annoying one. Otherwise weight gain and internal hot flashes. Finished five years. Thrilled I stuck with it. Dude effects with any med. does a good job to keep cancer away. They say it keeps fighting several years after stopping. Good luck. Try to stay positive goes fast

Jump to this post

I just noticed my face hair on my upper lip. Had to use my tweezers to pull them out. I don’t want to start waxing then I will have to do it all time. Ugh.
Curious what kind of cancer did you have?
I had estrogen positive her2 negative early Brest cancer. I started anastrozole Aug of 22 Nice to hear it keeps working after the treatment plan.

REPLY
lwdsspruce | @lwdsspruce | Sep 26, 2023

I have been on anastrozole five or six months. The first few months the hot flashes and night sweats were miserable but taking it at night helped and I’ve adjusted. Hardly any noticeable side effects now. I have a lot of years ahead of me of anastrozole but want to stay cancer free so it’s worth it. Good luck to everyone.

REPLY
1 reply
rosa1935 | @rosa1935 | Sep 27, 2023
In reply to @jsk "Love auto correct that should be anastrozole and not astrodome.lol" + (show)
@jsk

Love auto correct that should be anastrozole and not astrodome.lol

Jump to this post

Anastrozole reduces the oestrogen in body. My breast cancer was oestrogen positive. I really don’t understand why you didn’t have any treatment and then you were out on Anastrozole. I think you need to find out why. A very good friend of mine here in UK had breast cancer 17 years ago and didn’t have any form of treatment, meds, radiotherapy or chemo. This time last year she discovered she had cancer in her spine. Now I don’t know fir sure, and I doubt if any doctor would either, that this was secondary cancer as it could b a new cancer completely, but it’s a bit of a coincidence, to me, that she didn’t have any treatment and then gets a shock like this. I’m not saying this to frighten you, as we are all in the same boat, but I think you should have a second opinion. Xx

REPLY
karenvh | @karenvh | Nov 5, 2023

I have been on Anastrozole for 6 months. I have been experiencing lower abdominal pain - burning above my pubic bone, discomfort/pressure feeling through rectal/vaginal area generally only at night. I am awakened by the burning discomfort. Not every night and every other function is normal. Can this be the medication? Thank you.

REPLY
2 replies
LisaY1 | @lisay1 | Nov 8, 2023
In reply to @karenvh "I have been on Anastrozole for 6 months. I have been experiencing lower abdominal pain -..." + (show)
@karenvh

I have been on Anastrozole for 6 months. I have been experiencing lower abdominal pain - burning above my pubic bone, discomfort/pressure feeling through rectal/vaginal area generally only at night. I am awakened by the burning discomfort. Not every night and every other function is normal. Can this be the medication? Thank you.

Jump to this post

I have been on Anastrazole .since 2021. The only side effect I have noticed is the hot flashes. Our bodies are all different so I would not be overly concerned but I would talk to your Oncologist. Wishing you the best! 🌺

REPLY
bjohnson511 | @bjohnson511 | Nov 9, 2023
In reply to @karenvh "I have been on Anastrozole for 6 months. I have been experiencing lower abdominal pain -..." + (show)
@karenvh

I have been on Anastrozole for 6 months. I have been experiencing lower abdominal pain - burning above my pubic bone, discomfort/pressure feeling through rectal/vaginal area generally only at night. I am awakened by the burning discomfort. Not every night and every other function is normal. Can this be the medication? Thank you.

Jump to this post

Thank you for the advice. They took me off of horror moans before my surgery in August and I have plenty of hot flashes right now, but if that’s the only side effect, I be glad to take it!

REPLY
nanna1948 | @nanna1948 | Nov 11, 2023
In reply to @lwdsspruce "I have been on anastrozole five or six months. The first few months the hot flashes..." + (show)
@lwdsspruce

I have been on anastrozole five or six months. The first few months the hot flashes and night sweats were miserable but taking it at night helped and I’ve adjusted. Hardly any noticeable side effects now. I have a lot of years ahead of me of anastrozole but want to stay cancer free so it’s worth it. Good luck to everyone.

Jump to this post

My experience after five years had few side effects. I had hair loss mildly. My internal temperature in warm weather was hotter than most. Living in Florida made it uncomfortable. However, I did very well. Good luck. Not terrible at all

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.