Anastrozole Brain Fog

I disagree with the oncologist, while mine was surprised it didn't begin sooner, I was trying to be positive. Peripheral edema is when your legs, ankles and feet swell. That is gone now. The body aches, fatigue and insomnia were really making life miserable, could barely walk.

I have been off the Arimedex for four months, joint pain is gone, I am sleeping again, no peripheral edema and my blood pressure is coming down closer to normal. The osteoporosis is another issue. I realize that by stopping this medication my risk for recurrence jumps up, but for me it is a quality of life issue. There is no doubt that the pandemic has severely affected all of us, but especially if you live alone and are older without nearby family. Whatever you decide is what is right for you is what you should do. I had the oncologist check my hormone levels when I recently had blood work done and they are quite low, but since there wasn't a benchmark taken before I started the medication, not sure what that exactly means but will have it checked again in October. The biggest risk is during the first two years after surgery, I had lymph node involvement, didn't do radiation or chemo, but so far am doing fine, my two years is up in December. Since I was told it would be "preventative" as my PET scan was normal, I opted out. I guess we all have to weigh our decisions on a personal level. I have no interest in trying another drug, they all have the same side effects or worse. Your neck issue could be tension, arthritis, or a bad pillow, just kidding. I wish you well, I finally started doing virtual visits with a psychologist to have someone to talk to and it has really helped.

I was 1st diagnosed with ductal breast cancer in 2015. I had a lumpectomy and radiation. Excellent prognosis and chose not to take AI. 3 yrs later diagnosed with globular stage. 3A with lymph node involvement. I was first given verzenio and then I did double mastectomy, chemo and proton radiation. I've been on ai since Feb. 2020. Took Arimidex 14 mo. Now on Exemestane. Seems to be going better.

There are many things that have changed pretty drastically in the last years for me. One of those things has been a cognitive change. Not all drugs are equal in every person. Just like we developed individual cancers, we also have different responses to medications. Ask specifically to try a different one if this one really distresses you. I would also add, to be nice to yourself, you have been through a lot. If I cannot find the right the word, I verbalize that and then shrug and move on or let the other person fill in the blank. A couple of months have gone by, how are you doing now? Do you mind telling me more about your journey with breast cancer, any other treatments?

@sandyrob , I went on Anastrozole after my diagnosis of breast cancer at age 62 as part of Mayo study. Was on for 6 months prior to surgery and had problems with depression and cognitive function. I did not have joint pain that many suffer from. I stayed on meds because a biopsy half way thru study showed it was reducing the tumor. I stopped taking when I had surgery and stayed off while on chemo and radiation. Surgery was lumpectomy and removal of two cancerous lymph nodes. I then tried two different AIs with similar side effects as Anastrozole. After a year I discussed with my oncologist and reviewed chance of recurrence. For me, due to type of cancer and treatment I had received, the difference in percent of reoccurrence with and without AI was minimal. So I stopped taking and feel so much better.

It has been 3 years since first diagnosis. I have recheck appointments with oncologist every 6 months and mammograms and MRI every year. MRI are due to dense breast.

When I went off AIs, the oncologist did a bone density test to compare pre cancer test to post treatment. Luckily my bone density had not changed. While on AIs, I was having infusion Zometa to help with bone health. Now that I am off AIs, no longer need.

Oncologist did tell me at last appt if imaging test show any changes we might have to discuss AIs again.

I have sister just diagnosed with breast cancer, her's was caught early and only had lumpectomy, no chemo or radiation. Her situation is different, and her chance of reoccurrence is much higher without AIs. She is having problems with side effects, but still taking.

It is VERY important to discuss with your oncologist your side effects and options.

Good luck
Laurie

I am 74 and just completed 4 weeks on Arimedex (anastrozole) Have no energy, am not sleeping well and have an ache at the base of my neck. Not sure if it's the meds or anger/depression over the current Covid situation. (I realize I have no control over anything other than my own actions, but still, this is NOT the way I envisioned "the golden years") Was hoping by now it would be mostly behind us, and we have had to modify our lives again. I'm in a study at Mayo until the end of August and have a low risk for return of cancer so not sure what I will do when the study is done.

I was on arimidex for 18 months and while I didn't notice the brain fog the joint and muscle pain and insomnia were debilitating. I now have osteoporosis, arthritis and while I am not necessarily thrilled with my decision, I decided to stop taking it. It has been almost six weeks, I am sleeping much better but still have the joint and muscle pain, though less severe. My oncologist and I talked about other brands but they all have the same or worse side effects. I have never had high blood pressure but it shot up at my last visit to the doctor, I am 76, had a mastectomy in December, 2019. For me, my decision is based on quality of life and not number of years. I wish you well.

I am been treated with exemestane after a year with letrozole and worry about the "brain fog" spacially at the verbal level. Is there a supplement or therapy that can mitigate this side effect?

I have been back on arimidex a month and some brain fog is there for sure....and the hardest for me is saying a wrong word while thinking or sometimes talking. I know it right away and correct it, but still is disturbing. I call it wrong word retrieval.
I will say when I was off Arimidex for a month by week 4 I had way more energy, much less pain and fatigue, and 50% less cognitive issues.