I asked my oncologist this same question regarding effective dosage. I’ve been taking Anastrozole for almost 2 years. 1mg for everyone does not seem right. I had never had my estrogen level tested, so how do doctors know if Anastrozole is working. I’m 68 snd ‘maybe’ my estrogen was fairly low when I had my surgery. There was not a baseline to compare to now. My oncologist said ‘he takes it for granted’ that it is working. I requested estrogen test and had test June 24th. Waiting on results. I’ll post when I get results. Good luck.
I do not have an answer for this, and I am not sure if there is a protocol for this but I waited two days and no one answered this so I am going to tag my fearless leader who has her finger on the pulse of what I swear is an unending number of conversations. @colleenyoung . I wish I could just reach out and give you a hug. I know this is a blow to anyone, I can only imagine how I would react. Is this your first recurrence? What is your doctor recommending?
Cerwin, I believe @elizm@gwinter@buckimom and @trese5524 have fibromyalgia and are or have been taking an aromatase inhibitor. They may be able to share the side effects they experience or symptoms of fibro that may have been intensified.
In reply to Crazy Daisy:
Each of the medications recommended to breast cancer patients following treatment to prevent recurrence lowers our estrogen if the cancer was estrogen driven. Anastrozole was the first drug I was prescribed and it awful for me! I had horrible memory issues and couldn’t think straight! Then, my doctor prescribed tamoxifen-the brain fog got better but I broke out in miserable itchy hives. It seems I was allergic to something in the tomoxifin. Then my oncologist prescribed Exemestane. So far, that’s been the one with the least amount of side effects for me. I do have some joint pain, but what I do have is relieved by my chiropractor. For most of us here on this web site, it’s been a trial and error process to find what gives the least side effects for us individually. I have learned though…that even the side effects are much more tolerable than breast cancer recurrence. Talk to your oncologist about trying another drug that may be better for you. I’ve learned to just put up with ‘tolerable’ side effects as best I can. Keep trying other options until you find something that works fairly well for you. Best of luck and keep us posted to how you are doing!
I gained 30 pounds. Catch 22, because the joint pain it causes and the weight gain are strike 2. Took me a year to get it off. after I quit the drugs altogether.
Did you take anastrozole for the full five years or did you quit early. Just wondering because I have only been on the drug three months and have gained 15 pounds.
I gained 30 pounds. Catch 22, because the joint pain it causes and the weight gain are strike 2. Took me a year to get it off. after I quit the drugs altogether.
I started on Anastrozole 1mg several months ago. I am in a research project through Dr Sideras about effective dosages of Anastrozole. I would contact Dr Sideras’s office and ask about it.
I have severe fibromyalgia and this Rx has intensified my insomnia, chronic muscle/joint pain, fatigue and it’s caused an increase in mood changes (anxiety,depression) on top of those I experienced with fibro each day. 😞
Waiting for results of blood testing of estrogen levels. Praying Anastrozole is working.
Thinking of changing to Letrozole which research shows as causing less side effects.
Anyone out there with fibromyalgia and taking an aromatase inhibitor? What side effects are you experiencing?
I asked my oncologist this same question regarding effective dosage. I’ve been taking Anastrozole for almost 2 years. 1mg for everyone does not seem right. I had never had my estrogen level tested, so how do doctors know if Anastrozole is working. I’m 68 snd ‘maybe’ my estrogen was fairly low when I had my surgery. There was not a baseline to compare to now. My oncologist said ‘he takes it for granted’ that it is working. I requested estrogen test and had test June 24th. Waiting on results. I’ll post when I get results. Good luck.
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That’s great snd my estrogen bloodwork came back <10, which I was told that is low.
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1 ReactionMy results came back showing the 1mg dose works great for me. So thankful.
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1 ReactionI do not have an answer for this, and I am not sure if there is a protocol for this but I waited two days and no one answered this so I am going to tag my fearless leader who has her finger on the pulse of what I swear is an unending number of conversations. @colleenyoung . I wish I could just reach out and give you a hug. I know this is a blow to anyone, I can only imagine how I would react. Is this your first recurrence? What is your doctor recommending?
Thank you!
In reply to Crazy Daisy:
Each of the medications recommended to breast cancer patients following treatment to prevent recurrence lowers our estrogen if the cancer was estrogen driven. Anastrozole was the first drug I was prescribed and it awful for me! I had horrible memory issues and couldn’t think straight! Then, my doctor prescribed tamoxifen-the brain fog got better but I broke out in miserable itchy hives. It seems I was allergic to something in the tomoxifin. Then my oncologist prescribed Exemestane. So far, that’s been the one with the least amount of side effects for me. I do have some joint pain, but what I do have is relieved by my chiropractor. For most of us here on this web site, it’s been a trial and error process to find what gives the least side effects for us individually. I have learned though…that even the side effects are much more tolerable than breast cancer recurrence. Talk to your oncologist about trying another drug that may be better for you. I’ve learned to just put up with ‘tolerable’ side effects as best I can. Keep trying other options until you find something that works fairly well for you. Best of luck and keep us posted to how you are doing!
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1 ReactionDid you take anastrozole for the full five years or did you quit early. Just wondering because I have only been on the drug three months and have gained 15 pounds.
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1 ReactionHas anyone had Her2 breast cancer that metastisized ti the liver? If yes, what treatment did you use?
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1 ReactionHow long were you on Anastrozole before you quite? I started two months ago and have gained 15 pounds.
I gained 30 pounds. Catch 22, because the joint pain it causes and the weight gain are strike 2. Took me a year to get it off. after I quit the drugs altogether.
I asked my oncologist this same question regarding effective dosage. I’ve been taking Anastrozole for almost 2 years. 1mg for everyone does not seem right. I had never had my estrogen level tested, so how do doctors know if Anastrozole is working. I’m 68 snd ‘maybe’ my estrogen was fairly low when I had my surgery. There was not a baseline to compare to now. My oncologist said ‘he takes it for granted’ that it is working. I requested estrogen test and had test June 24th. Waiting on results. I’ll post when I get results. Good luck.
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