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Foot pain with Anastrozole?

Posted by lhwoz @lhwoz, Oct 17, 2023

Hello all-
I have read on this topic from posts that were from 4-5 years ago but looking for your experience from more recently.

I am 56 and on month 6 of Anastrozole. I had ILC stage 1/2 with lumpectomy/re excision and a course of radiation.

I have alwasy been very active as a lifestyle, hiking, gym, Orangetheory etc. Hike all over zion/Bryce Canyon in early May when radiation done to celebrate and remind myself if who I am and will be.

Since Aug I have had some achilles tenderness but more debilitating is crazy foot/heel pain especially in the am or when I get up from sitting/non movement. I have been attributing it to achilles tendinitis(self diagnosis 🙁 ) but I am finally thinking this is the anastrozole? I literally walk /hobble when I am first out of bed. I have some hand pain also but it feels just more like arthritic/tightness and not as noticeable/not affecting daily activities or exercise. Knees also feel out of sorts but I've had that here and there prior to this.

Can anyone share their experience with the foot /heel situation? Should I try a different AI or will this subside?

Much love and support to you all!

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nanakathy1 | @nanakathy1 | Feb 8 3:50pm

I've had terrible side effects, so bad I couldn't stand them along with severe depression. Fist year was fine then it all hit. My left hand is like a claw. I call my oncologist, talked to him and just. plain. stopped. the drug. I will take my chances. At 77 I couldn't live like that anymore I Wish I knew when these side effects would stop It's been two months.
wish you all good health and feeling better.

REPLY
1 reply
frenchyblue | @frenchyblue | Feb 9 3:32pm

Hi, I wanted to share what I learned because I had to do a lot of my own research, since doctors don't like to tell you too many side effects - they're afraid to scare you off the treatments. But I would argue that not having all the information causes more damage especially when preparedness can help mitigate some of the issues. I did also have terrible joint pain & foot pain. The pain you get while taking AI's is known as the aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal syndrome (AIMSS). It's an actual diagnosis, but my doctors did not use that term. The treatments are, essentially, estrogen deprivation ("therapy"). There are research papers & articles you can look up for more details. Good luck to everyone and I hope the info is useful.

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nanakathy1 | @nanakathy1 | Feb 9 3:33pm
In reply to @nanakathy1 "I've had terrible side effects, so bad I couldn't stand them along with severe depression. Fist..." + (show)
@nanakathy1

I've had terrible side effects, so bad I couldn't stand them along with severe depression. Fist year was fine then it all hit. My left hand is like a claw. I call my oncologist, talked to him and just. plain. stopped. the drug. I will take my chances. At 77 I couldn't live like that anymore I Wish I knew when these side effects would stop It's been two months.
wish you all good health and feeling better.

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thank you.

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