← Return to Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Discussion

Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Breast Cancer | Last Active: Nov 21 7:48am | Replies (1935)

Comment receiving replies
@windyshores

@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!

Jump to this post


Replies to "@whr of course any decision anyone makes needs to be respected. But what we post in..."

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.