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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@rosa1935

A bit off the point maybe, but I can say with the utmost certainty, that Anastrozole is tge cause if my back pain!! I had MRI on 13 July and got results this morning. No secondary cancer, which was my biggest fear, no arthritis. I have age related, I’m 71, wear and tare!! Thus woukd not account for my back and joint pain to the extent the amount that I’m suffering. I spoke to my breast care nurse in Magnolia clinic this morning- much better than going through my gp surgery, and she read out the results of my MRI and explained it to me. She also read out a letter from my oncologist who said ‘ there is no point changing me from Anastrozole to exemestane ad I woukd have the same side effects!! I can’t write down here what I said by suffice to say a medication change is in the making. I was so angry to hear this arrow man tell me he knew all about the side effects of Anastrozole!! Had great been taking it for nearly 2 years!!’ 🤣🤣The relief of my good results outweighed this man for about 5 mins. I sent email to my GP saying I wanted nothing more to do with this arrogant man- he is obviously an expert in womens bodies🤬. The cheek of him!! They saying goes like this - walk a mile in my shoes and then tell me you know how I feel!! The wine is opened and I’m going to relax and have a lovely lunch. The fear in me over the last few weeks, in fact the last year is indescribable. I know you ladies in here know what I mean. Slainte and love from s very happy Irish ☘️ woman ❤️❤️❤️

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So happy you are back in control with good news. Stay in touch! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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@ginip

So happy you are back in control with good news. Stay in touch! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Absolutely ❤️

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Anastrozole caused so much brain fog for me that I’ve never gotten over it. All of the drugs to lower estrogen caused me a lot of grief from the side effects. I’m now 4 years out from breast cancer and have completely stopped any estrogen lowering medication. I feel much better physically, but my memory/brain fog will never be the same. I suppose that’s better than dying from cancer…

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@sequoia

@ginip your post has great info. How long have you been on Anastrozole? I was on for 2 1/2 yrs. I had taken vacations from the med several times for a month and then 2 months I believe. The relief from hip pain & fog (looking back I was not myself, I describe as a fog over me) wasn’t really improved. After deciding to stop Anastrozole, it took at least 6 months for me to be back to myself. The hip pain was very bad. I could not hardly get in or out of the car or walk.
Have that discussion w/ your oncologist. It would be good to keep a daily log of how you feel each day. It’s difficult to separate out everyday ‘how I feel’ from ‘how I feel being off med’. Blessings to you.

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On Anastrazole for 6.5 years. Severe hip joint pain and brain fog. Stopped 7/5/23 and have gotten relief from the worst of it. Wanted to do the full 7 years, but couldn't. Doctors have not been at all helpful.

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@lisman1408

Anastrozole caused so much brain fog for me that I’ve never gotten over it. All of the drugs to lower estrogen caused me a lot of grief from the side effects. I’m now 4 years out from breast cancer and have completely stopped any estrogen lowering medication. I feel much better physically, but my memory/brain fog will never be the same. I suppose that’s better than dying from cancer…

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I too was on Anastrozole for 5 yrs and blame my memory loss on this drug. I’m told Im getting dementia early

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@lorettalu

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.

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Update: I’ve now been on Exemestane for about 5 weeks. The first 2 weeks were great, but I gradually started feeling worse. Now I am very tired most of the day, and generally just don’t feel well, and having frequent severe hot flashes. I see the doc next week, maybe try letrozole next.

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