Anastrazole and anxiety

Posted by momandrph048 @momandrph048, Jun 14, 2023

Has anyone else taking an aromatase inhibitor been dealing with crying very easily, and anxiety that comes out of nowhere?? It doesn’t seem to be related to anything, it just appears out of the blue.. My oncologist has me on Effexor, but it doesn’t seem to be doing that much and I really don’t want to increase my dose.. Can anyone share a similar story? Counseling isn’t really for me, I just need to deal with it on my own, and I really feel that the medication is the reason for it.. Mostly because my dr had me stop it for a couple weeks due to joint pain and everything got better.. Thanks for your input!

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@flowergal

Hi, I am the same age as you and started Anastrozole in December. I have some joint stiffness, but reading that you had fatigue interests me.
The last few weeks I just crash around 1:30 pm everyday. I didn't even think it could be connected to this drug. I've been trying to figure out how to do something to fight fatigue. I watch my grandchild a few days a week and a new baby just came so I need to be more awake! Any tips would be appreciated.

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I would try a different time when you take the medicine.
I take Anastrozole now for 1 1/2 years and deal with muscle pain fatigue and tiredness. I got extremely tired 8 hours after I took it - the time I had to drive home. Literally to the point where I could not keep my eyes open. I am taking it now 7-8 hours BEFORE I want to go to sleep and that made a great difference. I also walk every day in the afternoon - that helps with the muscle pain.

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@flowergal

Hi, I am the same age as you and started Anastrozole in December. I have some joint stiffness, but reading that you had fatigue interests me.
The last few weeks I just crash around 1:30 pm everyday. I didn't even think it could be connected to this drug. I've been trying to figure out how to do something to fight fatigue. I watch my grandchild a few days a week and a new baby just came so I need to be more awake! Any tips would be appreciated.

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I think this whole experience of having had breast cancer is so traumatic that fatigue is one part of processing the journey. Try taking some short walks as that might get the blood flowing and give you a bit of energy. The estrogen blockers can also cause insomnia so if you’re not sleeping well at night daytime fatigue happens. I use turmeric to help with the joint pain although I already had arthritis. One day at a time!

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@rosy54

I just stopped taking Anastrozole ( after 5 yrs) not needed after 5 yrs
The only symptoms I had was tiredness and brain fog ( so I was told)
This brings up the question Is brain fog really real or a symptom of chemotherapy?. My memory is has gotten bad to point is it really from Anastrozole, or at age 68 early dementia???
Guess it’s a question to ask under different category

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Hi, I am the same age as you and started Anastrozole in December. I have some joint stiffness, but reading that you had fatigue interests me.
The last few weeks I just crash around 1:30 pm everyday. I didn't even think it could be connected to this drug. I've been trying to figure out how to do something to fight fatigue. I watch my grandchild a few days a week and a new baby just came so I need to be more awake! Any tips would be appreciated.

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@celestebradham

What blood work are they ordering??

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Cancer bloodwork

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Thanks I appreciate your response. My plan is to finish either 5- 7 years whichever gives me the best outcome.

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@chickenmom10

What age were you when discovering you had breast cancer? And what is the outcome of taking anastrozole did it keep you cancer free? My 9 risk of recurrence is 17 percent. I’m hoping the data is wrong I’ve heard that anastrozole still works for 12 years after stopping. Hope this data is true.

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I took anastrazole for five years. I had stage 1 no lymph node involvement read it continues working for ten years. No brainer to finish treatment. Up to you oncologist

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@nanna1948

I took for five years oncologist made the decision I had stage 1 with no lymph node involvement. Oncologist makes the decision based on your bloodwork every six months no two are the same. You have to trust your oncologist good luck.

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What blood work are they ordering??

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@chickenmom10

My team of doctors have not ordered blood work. Guess I need to ask them. Thanks

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What age were you when discovering you had breast cancer? And what is the outcome of taking anastrozole did it keep you cancer free? My 9 risk of recurrence is 17 percent. I’m hoping the data is wrong I’ve heard that anastrozole still works for 12 years after stopping. Hope this data is true.

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@nanna1948

I took for five years oncologist made the decision I had stage 1 with no lymph node involvement. Oncologist makes the decision based on your bloodwork every six months no two are the same. You have to trust your oncologist good luck.

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My team of doctors have not ordered blood work. Guess I need to ask them. Thanks

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I took for five years oncologist made the decision I had stage 1 with no lymph node involvement. Oncologist makes the decision based on your bloodwork every six months no two are the same. You have to trust your oncologist good luck.

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