Foot pain with Anastrozole?

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.

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.

thank you.

OMG these comments have been so helpful for me! I'm going on month 5 of Anastrozole after my mastectomy and can hardly walk! My feet are killing me! Like others said it seems to radiate from the heels or from the side of my feet. I was expecting joint pain but not like this. I can barely stand in the morning and it's only getting worse. I had a little stiffness first thing in the morning before starting the blocker (I just turned 60), but now I also have it after sitting for only 15 minutes or so. It's crazy and bad and I feel like I'm pulling tendons or something everytime I get up. Tumeric/ginger has helped me in the past so I started doubling my daily intake to see if that will help. I'll also ask about Bioflex when I see my oncologist this month. I'm an active walker/hiker and also do pilates 3-4 times a week so this is a really debilitating development. Foot stretches on the reformer seem to help too. Praying it gets better at the 6-month mark but sounds like that won't necessarily be the case. I will be sure to update everyone if my oncologist has any helpful suggestions!

I have been meaning to Juno back in here to update. I, too, had crazy debilitating pain in my feet in the am or after sitting etc. Was hard to explain to my hub but literally felt like my bones were broken.everyone kept wanting to discuss Plantar Faciitis (which I had many years ago) to which I finally would just stop them mid sentence and firmly say Its Not That. I also had what I would call arthritis feelings in my hands in the am?

Last year, after a year on anastrozole, I switched to Letrozole. No major difference in the first perhaps 8 months. Low and behold some time in the last 3 months these painful experiences are GONE. It's is *crazy* and I have no idea how why. No more walking like a drunk sailor across my room in the morning!!! I didn't even mention to my hub at first bc I didn't want to jinx myself.

I have been exercising all along, amd now even back doing some Treadmill running along with hiking, lots of walking and weights. I do have strange cramping in my feet (not like the usual arch cramp) but more the mini muscles of the feet and toes ???and generally only at night when I am sitting or feet up on ottoman.

Anyways-2 years on meds, breast MRI all clear and feeling a tiny bit like my old self.

Sending everyone 💗💗💗

Just started my anastrozol a week and a half ago. I have thigh pain in my legs, but only at night when I sleep. Of course it wakes me up. Does anyone have that pain?

Yes and it gets worse, I started to feel like you, but my body was hurting like if my bones were breaking after taking anastrozole for 2 months. It’s hard to explain the pain to your loved ones so they can understand.

I have been on anastrozol for 5 months and at first had thigh pain/ restless legs when I would go to bed. It is finally subsiding. I took Tylenol to get to sleep. Doctor said body needs time to adjust to the medication.