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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momandrph048 | @momandrph048 | Jun 14, 2023

In reply to @auntieoakley "Welcome @momandrph048 , when I started on endocrine therapy I went from zero to 100 mg..." + (show)

I have actually talked with my oncologist about it.. she wants me to increase my Effexor, but I’m hesitant because I know it can be a tough drug to discontinue , when the time comes.. I’m also pretty sensitive to side effects of my meds , so I didn’t really want to increase the dose if I could manage another way..
She tells me anxiety is common with these drugs, but that sure doesn’t make it easy!!

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Jun 14, 2023

Welcome @momandrph048 , when I started on endocrine therapy I went from zero to 100 mg Zoloft. Like @lynnokok that seemed to keep me off of the ledge. I am still on it 19 years later, and thankfully it still works.
I found that walking mitigated almost all of my side effects. Made my joints feel better, cleared my head and helped with anxiety too. It did not really help with the hot flashes. Lol🥵
Have you talked to one of your doctors about this yet?

lynnokok | @lynnokok | Jun 14, 2023

I began Anastrazole last Nov 2022. By January 2023, I had to increase my Zoloft dose from 100 to 150 for depression. I'm feeling great now!

My final oncologist appt is next week. My breast w/lumpectomy from last August is now pink with dryness and toughness which is not located by the incision.! I'm petrified that something else has gone wrong.

I hope you can cheer up and enjoy your summer. The Anastrazole is one drug that has bad side affects. I don't like!! Joints, tough getting to sleep, sleeping too much, joint ache, depression ugh!!