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Anyone on an aromatase inhibitor dealing with anxiety, cry easily?

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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danielleboily | @danielleboily | Nov 19, 2024

Thank you,
I will be seeing a n oncologist In december,I'm from Quebec and healt care is often slow.
I'm 81trs old without a personal doctor.

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Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Nov 19, 2024
In reply to @danielleboily "I've been on anastrazole for over 1 month and I just stop taking because of my..." + (show)
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I've been on anastrazole for over 1 month and I just stop taking because of my swollen ankles among othe effets.

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@danielleboily

I see your new member to Mayo Connect, welcome. Similar to you, I could not tolerate anastrozole, but it was due to other side effects.

Have you talked to your your oncologist about alternatives? There are other options.

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danielleboily | @danielleboily | Nov 19, 2024
In reply to @zeppy "I am 79, on Anastrozole for a little over 2 years, I didn’t realize how much..." + (show)
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I am 79, on Anastrozole for a little over 2 years, I didn’t realize how much these drugs can affect your quality of life. I stopped because of recurrent UTIs, anxiety and aches and pains. I have only been off for one month, so we shall see.

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I've been on anastrazole for over 1 month and I just stop taking because of my swollen ankles among othe effets.

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Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Nov 18, 2024
In reply to @zeppy "I am 79, on Anastrozole for a little over 2 years, I didn’t realize how much..." + (show)
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I am 79, on Anastrozole for a little over 2 years, I didn’t realize how much these drugs can affect your quality of life. I stopped because of recurrent UTIs, anxiety and aches and pains. I have only been off for one month, so we shall see.

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They can definitely affect our quality of life. I wish there was another way to reduce our risks of relapse, sadly this is what we have now. I still believe it is better than what was available in the past, my grandmother just had to cross her fingers. Sometimes people do better on one drug than another, even a different manufacturer of the same drug will make a difference.
Did you talk to your doctor about possibly try a different endocrine therapy?

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zeppy | @zeppy | Nov 18, 2024
In reply to @mjeang "Hello Rosa, i hope you continue to improve! I feel better evevyday after stopping Anastrazole, i..." + (show)
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Hello Rosa, i hope you continue to improve! I feel better evevyday after stopping Anastrazole, i had 3 years remaining on this medication and just knew i couldnt bare the aches and pains any longer.. the best of luck

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I am 79, on Anastrozole for a little over 2 years, I didn’t realize how much these drugs can affect your quality of life. I stopped because of recurrent UTIs, anxiety and aches and pains. I have only been off for one month, so we shall see.

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reflector75 | @reflector75 | Nov 17, 2024
In reply to @colleenyoung "@reflector75, I'm so glad that you found the posts helpful as you recommence treatment. How are..." + (show)
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@reflector75, I'm so glad that you found the posts helpful as you recommence treatment. How are you doing?

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Yes - sticking with it a and going forward - thank you for your support xx

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 17, 2024
In reply to @reflector75 "I find this post helpful - began Anastrozole end Feb 24. This describes my emotional symptoms..." + (show)
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I find this post helpful - began Anastrozole end Feb 24. This describes my emotional symptoms exactly - now feel I’m not alone or going mad. Due to very severe back /hip pain had break from it from mid July - mid Sept, now recommenced but symptoms not so severe ( or not yet!) weepiness etc not quite so hard to control as previously but still an unpredictable factor. Thank you for this post - gives me hope!

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@reflector75, I'm so glad that you found the posts helpful as you recommence treatment. How are you doing?

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mjeang | @mjeang | Nov 12, 2024
In reply to @rosa1935 "I Eason Anastrozole for 2 years and it has done untold damage to my back and..." + (show)
Profile picture for rosa1935 @rosa1935

I Eason Anastrozole for 2 years and it has done untold damage to my back and joints, but particularly my back. I was put on exemestane a year ago, july 2023, and stopped taking it a few weeks ago. I’ve felt so well as I do, now. I can walk without loosing g my breath. I still need to sit down for a minute when I’m walking but I’m in such a better place. I only recently discovered that exemestane causes heart problems.. hence my shortness of breath. I’m not saying you or anyone on here shoukd do what I’ve done but my quality of life on these meds, was literally, no life. Best of Irish luck. 🇮🇪🇮🇪

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Hello Rosa, i hope you continue to improve! I feel better evevyday after stopping Anastrazole, i had 3 years remaining on this medication and just knew i couldnt bare the aches and pains any longer.. the best of luck

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sally484 | @sally484 | Nov 11, 2024
In reply to @kimogi57 "We are close to the same age. I'm 68 next May. I do have to say..." + (show)
Profile picture for kimogi57 @kimogi57

We are close to the same age. I'm 68 next May. I do have to say that during my times off from both, my memory came back. I felt like my old self. I feel exactly as you about being embarrassed because I'm so forgetful, emotional, and for me, mean. I see my oncologist in 8 days! Hugs

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I'm so glad you started getting your memory back! I don't think I'll be off these AI's anytime soon. I'm scared to just stop taking them as I try to do what the Dr. says. We'll see what they say at my next appointment. Big hugs to you!!!

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katrii | @katrii | Nov 10, 2024

Reading everyone’s emotional, memory, and bone/joint symptoms is so reassuring. I’ve experienced everything I’ve read, and it’s so hard at age 70 to suddenly change so much. I’ve given Lexotrole and Anastrozole chances of about 6 weeks each. No way will I ever take those again. My joint pain was out of control. Just stated Exemestane, but every other day. This is 7 months post-lumpectomy and radiation, and I’m hoping this works. I find a glass of wine (or 2) really helps me relax. I don’t think it’s advised, but for me it helps me chill out and deal with all the life stressors of everyday life.

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