1. < Breast Cancer

Anastrozole experience: Any tips for managing side effects?

Posted by jessicanell @jessicanell, Sep 21, 2023

I’m about to start at 52. I don’t know if I’m in menopause bc I took hrt before being diagnosed w early stage bc. My labs say I am. And since stopping hrt no periods.

I hear about all the menopause symptoms it comes with including joint pain. Do any of you find it ok?

I heard Claritin can help w joint pain. Any other tips?

I’m getting a bone density scan before starting. Tell me your experiences please 🙏

Thank you

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jayne1959 | @jayne1959 | Jan 27, 2024
In reply to @jayne1959 "When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in April 2019, I had a Lumpectomy to my..." + (show)
@jayne1959

When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in April 2019, I had a Lumpectomy to my Left Breast and then 5 weeks of Radiation.
Then started on Femara which caused joint pain and my oncologist switched me to Arimidex.
I took it fatefully for 2 years and then I was having UTI’s one right after another and after I took medication for it. I mentioned this to my oncologist who laughed and said the Arimidex had nothing to do with it.
I decided to see if the UTI’s would stop after stopping the Arimidex and believe it or not, it did.
I did not appreciate my oncologist laughing at me for asking a question so I never started the Arimidex back and it’s been almost 3 years come July-August 2024.
I know the risks of it returning and some of the pathology reported Grade 2 & 3 and it read High Grade DCIS. My Ki-67 was 20.
Has anyone else had continuous UTI’s while taking Arimidex?

Jump to this post

I had read this as well and mentioned this to my Oncologist but he laughed and said it had nothing to do with it.
Thank you for your reply.

REPLY
1 reply
seabright2001 | @seabright2001 | Jan 27, 2024
In reply to @triciaot "This is good info from ACOG, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: “Why does estrogen loss..." + (show)
@triciaot

This is good info from ACOG, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:
“Why does estrogen loss cause UTIs? Estrogen helps tissues in your vagina and urethra stay elastic and moist. Estrogen loss can thin these tissues and cause dryness, irritation, and other changes that set the stage for UTIs.

For example, estrogen loss weakens the muscles of your urethra. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter your urethra and move up to your bladder.

Estrogen also raises the level of healthy bacteria that normally live in your vagina and bladder. Healthy bacteria help fight off infection-causing bacteria. After menopause, low estrogen means you have less healthy bacteria to help prevent infections.”

AIs leave us with no, or almost none, estrogen. It is very unfortunate when specialists only look at the top, highest frequency, side effects that are listed by the manufacturer.

Link to article:
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/utis-after-menopause-why-theyre-common-and-what-to-do-about-them#:~:text=Why%20does%20estrogen%20loss%20cause,the%20muscles%20of%20your%20urethra.

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I’m wondering if taking probiotics would help prevent these infections for those of us with low estrogen.

REPLY
2 replies
anjalima | @anjalima | Jan 27, 2024
In reply to @jayne1959 "When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in April 2019, I had a Lumpectomy to my..." + (show)
@jayne1959

When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in April 2019, I had a Lumpectomy to my Left Breast and then 5 weeks of Radiation.
Then started on Femara which caused joint pain and my oncologist switched me to Arimidex.
I took it fatefully for 2 years and then I was having UTI’s one right after another and after I took medication for it. I mentioned this to my oncologist who laughed and said the Arimidex had nothing to do with it.
I decided to see if the UTI’s would stop after stopping the Arimidex and believe it or not, it did.
I did not appreciate my oncologist laughing at me for asking a question so I never started the Arimidex back and it’s been almost 3 years come July-August 2024.
I know the risks of it returning and some of the pathology reported Grade 2 & 3 and it read High Grade DCIS. My Ki-67 was 20.
Has anyone else had continuous UTI’s while taking Arimidex?

Jump to this post

Did you use ARIMIDIX ( brand) or generics ? I had no UTI for 18 mos on generic but one since starting brand 2 mos ago. But the urine culture detected E. coli so I don’t think the medication was involved. All AI’s cause vaginal tissue thinning and drying so more susceptible to bacteria infiltration. I use a vaginal/vulvar moisturizer now.

I will continue to take the meds and I feel safer regarding possibility of recurrence.

Best to you.

REPLY
1 reply
jayne1959 | @jayne1959 | Jan 27, 2024
In reply to @anjalima "Did you use ARIMIDIX ( brand) or generics ? I had no UTI for 18 mos..." + (show)
@anjalima

Did you use ARIMIDIX ( brand) or generics ? I had no UTI for 18 mos on generic but one since starting brand 2 mos ago. But the urine culture detected E. coli so I don’t think the medication was involved. All AI’s cause vaginal tissue thinning and drying so more susceptible to bacteria infiltration. I use a vaginal/vulvar moisturizer now.

I will continue to take the meds and I feel safer regarding possibility of recurrence.

Best to you.

Jump to this post

I used the generic brand. I would take medication for my UTI’s and completed it and within a week or two, another UTI would start again.
It was never ending.

REPLY
jayne1959 | @jayne1959 | Jan 27, 2024
In reply to @seabright2001 "I’m wondering if taking probiotics would help prevent these infections for those of us with low..." + (show)
@seabright2001

I’m wondering if taking probiotics would help prevent these infections for those of us with low estrogen.

Jump to this post

Stopping the Arimidex, stopped the UTI’s and having my Oncologist laughing at me when I mentioned the constant UTI’s and made me feel like an idiot so I had to find out myself and stopped the Arimidex.
It was awful and trying to get someone to listen but no one ever would.

REPLY
3 replies
anjalima | @anjalima | Jan 27, 2024
In reply to @jayne1959 "Stopping the Arimidex, stopped the UTI’s and having my Oncologist laughing at me when I mentioned..." + (show)
@jayne1959

Stopping the Arimidex, stopped the UTI’s and having my Oncologist laughing at me when I mentioned the constant UTI’s and made me feel like an idiot so I had to find out myself and stopped the Arimidex.
It was awful and trying to get someone to listen but no one ever would.

Jump to this post

Try non estrogen vaginal moisturizers and if that doesn’t help ask the oncologist if a VERY LOW estrogen vaginal cream might be ok for you. It generally stays local I’m told.

REPLY
1 reply
bloncape | @bloncape | Jan 27, 2024
In reply to @jayne1959 "When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in April 2019, I had a Lumpectomy to my..." + (show)
@jayne1959

When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in April 2019, I had a Lumpectomy to my Left Breast and then 5 weeks of Radiation.
Then started on Femara which caused joint pain and my oncologist switched me to Arimidex.
I took it fatefully for 2 years and then I was having UTI’s one right after another and after I took medication for it. I mentioned this to my oncologist who laughed and said the Arimidex had nothing to do with it.
I decided to see if the UTI’s would stop after stopping the Arimidex and believe it or not, it did.
I did not appreciate my oncologist laughing at me for asking a question so I never started the Arimidex back and it’s been almost 3 years come July-August 2024.
I know the risks of it returning and some of the pathology reported Grade 2 & 3 and it read High Grade DCIS. My Ki-67 was 20.
Has anyone else had continuous UTI’s while taking Arimidex?

Jump to this post

I am so sorry to hear of your awful experience with your doctor. Having an oncologist who laughs at your side effects from Arimidex is unfeeling, infuriating and highly unprofessional. Never let a doctor make you feel like an idiot. You know your body better than anyone else. Many studies have shown that lack of estrogen can cause UTIs.
I had MANY side effects from anastrozole causing a very poor quality of life. My oncologist only acknowledged 2 of them, one of which was severe depression. She said they were pre-existing conditions and not caused by the aromatase inhibitor. Interestingly, all of my side effects, including the depression, went away after stopping anastrozole. Needless to say, I am now seeing an oncologist who does not deny known side effects. He also listens and responds with insight and compassion. Breast cancer has taught me to get a second opinion and never stay with a doctor who dismisses my concerns.
I wish you well. 💕

REPLY
jayne1959 | @jayne1959 | Jan 27, 2024
In reply to @jayne1959 "When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in April 2019, I had a Lumpectomy to my..." + (show)
@jayne1959

When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in April 2019, I had a Lumpectomy to my Left Breast and then 5 weeks of Radiation.
Then started on Femara which caused joint pain and my oncologist switched me to Arimidex.
I took it fatefully for 2 years and then I was having UTI’s one right after another and after I took medication for it. I mentioned this to my oncologist who laughed and said the Arimidex had nothing to do with it.
I decided to see if the UTI’s would stop after stopping the Arimidex and believe it or not, it did.
I did not appreciate my oncologist laughing at me for asking a question so I never started the Arimidex back and it’s been almost 3 years come July-August 2024.
I know the risks of it returning and some of the pathology reported Grade 2 & 3 and it read High Grade DCIS. My Ki-67 was 20.
Has anyone else had continuous UTI’s while taking Arimidex?

Jump to this post

Thank you much.
Hopefully this will be my last year seeing this Oncologist.
If it reoccurs, I will be switching to an oncologist that has a professional and caring heart.

REPLY
Rubyslippers | @triciaot | Jan 27, 2024
In reply to @seabright2001 "I’m wondering if taking probiotics would help prevent these infections for those of us with low..." + (show)
@seabright2001

I’m wondering if taking probiotics would help prevent these infections for those of us with low estrogen.

Jump to this post

It will be interesting to see what comes of newer more extensive research on probiotics. When our microbiome is healthier, our bodies function better.
I would probably depend more on using Replens to balance the vaginal ph, and maybe vaginal grade hydraulic acid to help moisturizing.
I have not had any UTIs although I was very low estrogen before cancer diagnosis and now on Tamoxifen. The tamoxifen must be acting as an agonist in my vaginal area as all atrophy and dryness that I had been having since menopause, at least 15 years of progressively worsening issues, are now all gone. It reminds me about how powerful a drug tamoxifen is.

REPLY
Young@65 | @happyat65 | Jan 27, 2024
In reply to @jayne1959 "Stopping the Arimidex, stopped the UTI’s and having my Oncologist laughing at me when I mentioned..." + (show)
@jayne1959

Stopping the Arimidex, stopped the UTI’s and having my Oncologist laughing at me when I mentioned the constant UTI’s and made me feel like an idiot so I had to find out myself and stopped the Arimidex.
It was awful and trying to get someone to listen but no one ever would.

Jump to this post

I had a small ischemic stroke while on my AI and my oncologist said that can happen. She wanted me to continue the AI I now have a new oncologist. I never went back to her.
My oncologist and I decided it was not worth the risk of another stroke. I stopped the AI after 2 and half years.
I feel so much better. But I wish I could have taken them for the added protection.
I have lost weight, no alcohol and I walk 10,000 daily. Hopefully this will help protect me.

REPLY
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