Anastrozole Brain Fog

Hello everyone. I'm 59. I've been on Anastrazole since July of 2023. The hot flashes are nowhere near as bad as they were. I've been noticing that I'm more and more that I have no self confidence now. I can learn new things fast like I used to, I feel as if my co workers are smarter, learn faster and have no real use for me in my position. I have always been someone in the workplace that learned fast, was a trainer to other, a supervisor and now. I feel useless almost in everything I do. I've been going through menopause for a while and then diagnosed in 23 with breast cancer. I can't think straight, can't make decisions, over analyze everything. My Oconogist told me being on Anastrazole is like Menopause in overdrive. Can anyone relate?

This is so helpful. It’s frightening experiencing brain fog and groping for words. My optholmolgists older mother was also experiencing this and thought she was going through dementia. Sharing your experiences certainly help. When she understood I was also having these issues, she felt so much better.

I had horrible brain fog from all the breast cancer medications. Exemestaine was the one with the least brain fog. I believe our brains need estrogen to function properly. Many women have these symptoms while going through menopause; and these breast cancer drugs lower our estrogen levels very similarly to the changes of menopause-and often even worse! It’s awful! I felt like such a fool when I first started on Anastrozole! My family made fun of me often, and I thought I was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s! I was terrified! I kept my mouth shut most of the time and refrained from joining conversations for fear I’d say something wrong and make a fool of myself. Unfortunately, I made mistakes at work also due to my forgetfulness.

Talk to your doctor, there are other medications you can try to see if they are any better for you. Most of all… Hang in there! Many of us on this website have been through what you are experiencing. Though we may not have a solution, we Totally understand! The support on this website made a big difference in helping me feel better emotionally, and realize that I wasn’t crazy because they had similar symptoms too.

I have recently seen an improvement in my brain fog and energy levels by following a keto type eating plan. After a recent vacation I had a few lbs to lose so I decided to go keto light (I still eat a small amount healthy carbs). It is working great and the added bonus is improved brain fog and energy levels. I was worried about my LDL levels but my research suggests that people need to worry more about blood sugar levels which is not an issue for me. It takes a lot of will power but the results on the scale and how I feel make it worth it. I’ve been on Anastrozole since March 2022.

That must be challenging to work a demanding job with brain fog. I'm not aware of any supplement or medication that helps. Have things improved at all with exemestane? How are you doing?

This is a great chat - just joining now. I'm 50 and I had breast cancer/lumpectomy/chemo/radiation. I was on Tamoxifen until I was fully menopausal (brought on by chemo) then Anatrazole, and now exemestane. It's only been a month on the exemestane but I don't see a real change. Very bad joint pain, serious brain fog, weight gain (strange protruding bloating) and the hot flashes. The brain fog is my biggest issue because I work full-time supporting my family at a fairly demanding job. I see the studies - taking an AI is important but I was curious if anyone is having any luck with a supplement or medication to help with the brain fog. Thank you in advance and good luck to you all!

I will consider it.

Maybe you should start a thread about this topic. There seems to be some interest in it. I know there are multiple studies about this and the estrogen component. It is a distinct topic of its own. Given the sensitivity to it, please remember to be kind.💕

Hi @katieread2023 and welcome. What type of breast cancer did you have? What tips do you have about coping with brain fog long term?

I also have brain fog and my cancer was in 2005. I think it never goes away completely.