Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

This is such a difficult decision to make. I opted not to take Anastrozole due to side effects and due to the fact that I have had a spinal compression fracture and many dental issues. Now 4 years later I have a 100% positive estrogen and 100 % positive progesterone new tumor in my other breast.
So, did I make the right decision to not take the Anastrozole? All we can do is to try to make the best decision that we can based on our own individual circumstances.

Did brand eliminate side effects?

I had very little side effects while on anastrazole for five years. Thrilled I completed treatment. Some hair loss my biggest complaint stomache issues. Had warm issues. Otherwise worth the treatment

good luck. Walked every morning half hour to help any muscle ache that some complained about I had none I too was in tge Accord brand

@whr of course any decision anyone makes needs to be respected. But what we post in forums is read by many. I am very sensitive to meds and tried to get on osteoporosis meds for years, without success. The consequence of that is 7 spinal fractures which, believe me, affect my quality of life. Forteo and Tymlos do not affect dental health. Many dentists seem not to know that. Reclast, Fozamax, Prolia and to some extent Evenity do have the potential to cause jaw necrosis and other dental issues.

I customized Tymlos with its adjustable pen and my doc will do a 20% dose of Reclast, at least as a test dose, due to my sensitivities and health conditions.

Again, I respect everyone's choices but also encourage folks at risk of fracture to consider individualizing treatment to make it at least tolerable. My hips are still low density so I am going to buy hip pads- another way to go!

Getting back to aromatase inhibitors: I did letrozole (brand name Femara actually) for 5 years. Docs recommended 7-10 years but I did the Breast Cancer Index test that told me there was no further benefit. I got the paperwork myself off the Internet and gave to doc to sign. Now it is part of the NCCN guidelines. Again, individualize treatment if possible!

@anjalima I make a distinction between "side effects" and "reactions." Aromatase inhibitors will, I would imagine, have some level of longer term side effects due to estrogen deprivation. My "reactions" (neurological) to fillers are immediate and short term. I had no reactions to brand name and at the end of my treatment I found a generic that also did not cause reactions. Too bad after I spent all that money on brand name Femara!

I took Anastrozole for 18 months until the side effects were so incapacitating I quit. The only alternative that was offered was Tamoxifen, which I felt had more side effects. I don't metabolize meds very quickly so they build up and cause problems. Today is my four year anniversary since surgery. So far, so good but still have issues remaining from the medication. I didn't feel like the oncologist treated me like an individual but followed "protocols". I would never tell others what to do with their treatment, just what I had to do for me.

Thank you. I totally get what you mean regarding deprivation consequences . Going to try brand Anastrozole, Arimidex
, found at a decent price. Hoping this helps with some sleep issues.

Keep the faith you will get through this one. Easy peasy on anastrazole. My only issues was diahrea. I was on Metamucil fiber bar which helped. Always had a bad stomache anyway. Off it for six months back to myself. Stick with it. Blue skies ahead

I am also on Anastrozole and hair thinning with insomnia are my biggest issues. The drastically thinning hair is the hardest for me as well. Looking in the mirror is that constant reminder that I am not the same person I was before diagnosis in July 2022. I also have androgenic alopecia & frontal fibrosing Alopecia. This hair loss is all over my head. I do see my oncologist tomorrow and plan to ask if I can try another AI. Really discouraging, but then is this hair loss worth not being on an AI. For now my answer is no, but that could change if this hair loss doesn’t slow down.

I’m over 4 years on Anastrazole and have had no issues with it. I was post-menopausal however. I had ER+ PR+ breast cancer with lymph node involvement. My range of risk of recurrence is 17-38%. I look at it this way…use of an AI keeps me at the lower end of risk. Losing weight keeps me at the lower end of risk. Healthy eating ( upping protein, lowering carbs) keeps me at the lower end of risk. Hopefully you can take advantage of every possible thing that can lower your risk of recurrence. That way if one piece is truly impossible for you there will still be other actions in place to help reduce your risk of recurrence and keep you well. JMHO