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Anastrozole...has anyone had an increase in glucose or cholesterol

Posted by sandyjr @sandyjr, Jul 22, 2019

Since I started taking anastrozole....June 2018....my glucose and cholesterol readings seem to be increasing...enough for me to be concerned as I do not want to be put on any more medicine...especially for these issues. Has anyone had this problem? I always get copies of my test reports so that I will know what is happening and so that I will not be blindsided at a Dr appointment. Most of the complaints about anastrozole have been about physical discomfort...what about changes in blood tests?

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briarrose | @briarrose | Jun 5 6:35am
In reply to @7cindy7 "@netty214 My glucose has gone up continually since I started taking anestrozole 22 months ago. It..." + (show)
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@netty214
My glucose has gone up continually since I started taking anestrozole 22 months ago. It is very frustrating. I also have osteoporosis from the anastrozole and have to go for infusions of zolendronic acid (zometa) every 6 months for the osteoporosis. My oncologist says that you can live fine with osteoporosis and there are remedies for that and for the high glucose. She said the anastrozole is the heavy hitter in the breast cancer fight, even more so than the chemo or radiation was. Without it, the cancer could return and I might not be so lucky the next time. I will stick with it, but I am not happy about it.

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@7cindy7 Yes, add me to the list of elevated glucose levels since starting the AIs last year.
I am due for a Hg. A1C (funny though, I am the only one thinking I need this blood test).
My cardiologist mentioned starting Metformin...yikes! another drug added to my laundry list.
I told him it's the exemestane but he didn't even comment on it.
That's off the table for now...I want to see what my Hg. A1C looks like first- that's the gold standard test. My last one was 5.3 or so before BC - but definitely below 6.
So, within my circle of medical/oncology providers I will get "someone" to order it.
Another "to-do" on my list. And don't we all have such lists?
We must always advocate for ourselves...that's for sure.
Wishing everyone only the best in their cancer "fights" 🙂

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jayne1953 | @jayne1953 | 5 hours ago
In reply to @myoga "Hi, after a few months on Anastrozole my cholesterol, A1C, and blood pressure went up (in..." + (show)
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Hi, after a few months on Anastrozole my cholesterol, A1C, and blood pressure went up (in addition to other side effects such as weight gain, finger stiffness, etc.) I don't eat dairy products, red meat, or greasy foods. I exercise at least 4 days/week. Still can't get my cholesterol down. I'm on Exemestane now, but I don't expect the side effects to get better due to low estrogen. Love the idea of getting older. Wish you all well. Hugs.

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@myoga Mine just recently went up, I have been on anastrozole for 4 years!! So now I will be diabetic too! OMG!!

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myoga | @myoga | 4 hours ago
In reply to @jayne1953 "@myoga Mine just recently went up, I have been on anastrozole for 4 years!! So now..." + (show)
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@myoga Mine just recently went up, I have been on anastrozole for 4 years!! So now I will be diabetic too! OMG!!

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@jayne1953
Such a powerful drug. I’m on exemestane now for a different reason. The cholesterol and blood sugar get better. I tolerate exemestane better, but recently I experience aura headaches after a year and a half on exemestane. I guess if we keep beating our bodies with such powerful drugs, it will give in in the end. Keep fighting though. You only have one year to go!

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jayne1953 | @jayne1953 | 2 hours ago
In reply to @myoga "@jayne1953 Such a powerful drug. I’m on exemestane now for a different reason. The cholesterol and..." + (show)
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@jayne1953
Such a powerful drug. I’m on exemestane now for a different reason. The cholesterol and blood sugar get better. I tolerate exemestane better, but recently I experience aura headaches after a year and a half on exemestane. I guess if we keep beating our bodies with such powerful drugs, it will give in in the end. Keep fighting though. You only have one year to go!

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@myoga Thank you! It is an awful drug to be on! ugh. I just don't want to be a diabetic now :(.

Good luck to you, I wish you the best.

Jayne

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