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?

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Thank you and I wish you the best in your health.

REPLY
exk | @exk | Jan 28, 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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Prior to my lumpectomy, I was using Estradiol every couple of days because i have a history of frequent UTIs. The Estradiol was applied externally every couple of nights before bed. My oncologist directed me to stop using it, obviously because it contained estrogen. That was May 2022 when I started on anastrozole and I was good for awhile but late last year, had a couple of utis right in a row. In response to my concern about not being able to use it, my PA recommended coconut oil. I now use it every night and although one uti did sneak in, I’ve been good otherwise. You can google and see that coconut oil does offer protection..

REPLY
1 reply
dyevooshka | @dyevooshka | Jan 28, 2024
In reply to @anjalima "Try non estrogen vaginal moisturizers and if that doesn’t help ask the oncologist if a VERY..." + (show)
@anjalima

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.

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Yes to the low dose vaginal tablet. Cancer research finally agreed that since any vaginal use stays LOCALIZED and poses no risks. Anything taken by mouth would be SYSTEMIC, traveling throughout your body, and would increase risks for anyone taking aromatase inhibitors to treat ER+ breast cancer.(I will look up this research source and get back to you!) ♥

REPLY
4 replies
dyevooshka | @dyevooshka | Jan 28, 2024
In reply to @dyevooshka "Yes to the low dose vaginal tablet. Cancer research finally agreed that since any vaginal use..." + (show)
@dyevooshka

Yes to the low dose vaginal tablet. Cancer research finally agreed that since any vaginal use stays LOCALIZED and poses no risks. Anything taken by mouth would be SYSTEMIC, traveling throughout your body, and would increase risks for anyone taking aromatase inhibitors to treat ER+ breast cancer.(I will look up this research source and get back to you!) ♥

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Breastcancer.org posted that article on localized vaginal estrogen.

REPLY
anjalima | @anjalima | Jan 28, 2024
In reply to @dyevooshka "Yes to the low dose vaginal tablet. Cancer research finally agreed that since any vaginal use..." + (show)
@dyevooshka

Yes to the low dose vaginal tablet. Cancer research finally agreed that since any vaginal use stays LOCALIZED and poses no risks. Anything taken by mouth would be SYSTEMIC, traveling throughout your body, and would increase risks for anyone taking aromatase inhibitors to treat ER+ breast cancer.(I will look up this research source and get back to you!) ♥

Jump to this post

There are good vaginal moisturizer creams as well. Not familiar with a “tablet”.

REPLY
bjohnson511 | @bjohnson511 | Jan 28, 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.

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I think they’re all immune by now to these complications with these drugs. I’m on anastrozole and tired all the time bone aches headaches every day. It’s something different. But no UTIs. I loved my hormones but now with zero left I get cranky a lot easier and don’t sleep well. Hugs to you.

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celestebradham | @celestebradham | Jan 28, 2024
In reply to @exk "Prior to my lumpectomy, I was using Estradiol every couple of days because i have a..." + (show)
@exk

Prior to my lumpectomy, I was using Estradiol every couple of days because i have a history of frequent UTIs. The Estradiol was applied externally every couple of nights before bed. My oncologist directed me to stop using it, obviously because it contained estrogen. That was May 2022 when I started on anastrozole and I was good for awhile but late last year, had a couple of utis right in a row. In response to my concern about not being able to use it, my PA recommended coconut oil. I now use it every night and although one uti did sneak in, I’ve been good otherwise. You can google and see that coconut oil does offer protection..

Jump to this post

I use coconut oil- but not because of UTIs - for moisturizer - seems to help.

REPLY
1 reply
jayne1959 | @jayne1959 | Jan 28, 2024
In reply to @dyevooshka "Yes to the low dose vaginal tablet. Cancer research finally agreed that since any vaginal use..." + (show)
@dyevooshka

Yes to the low dose vaginal tablet. Cancer research finally agreed that since any vaginal use stays LOCALIZED and poses no risks. Anything taken by mouth would be SYSTEMIC, traveling throughout your body, and would increase risks for anyone taking aromatase inhibitors to treat ER+ breast cancer.(I will look up this research source and get back to you!) ♥

Jump to this post

Thank you. I would greatly appreciate that.

REPLY
dyevooshka | @dyevooshka | Jan 28, 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 was prescribed 10 mcg Estradiol vaginal insert tablet 2x weekly. This After my doctor saying, dryness is not usually a side effect (!)

REPLY
1 reply
dyevooshka | @dyevooshka | Jan 28, 2024
In reply to @dyevooshka "Yes to the low dose vaginal tablet. Cancer research finally agreed that since any vaginal use..." + (show)
@dyevooshka

Yes to the low dose vaginal tablet. Cancer research finally agreed that since any vaginal use stays LOCALIZED and poses no risks. Anything taken by mouth would be SYSTEMIC, traveling throughout your body, and would increase risks for anyone taking aromatase inhibitors to treat ER+ breast cancer.(I will look up this research source and get back to you!) ♥

Jump to this post

Breastcancer.org had research. My doctor prescribed 10mcg Estradiol vaginal insert tablet 2x a week.

REPLY
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