Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I have been on letrozole for 4 years. Is my neuropathy and sometimes joint pain part of it? We all have such different body effects. One effect i noticed when i finished the med was Lynparza. The metal taste in my mouth vanished. I had brca2/her2+ and ER+. For today AIs help. The future? Maybe they prove not so helpful.
Ultimately our body, our choice.

@qtblue
Hi been on exemestane since the end of march feeling pretty good. A few bad nights with night sweats. Take Propel with electrolytes that has been a game changer. But, I want to stop in about 1.5 years to 2? What about recurrence?> Quality of life and just peace!

I took that & one other (forgot the name). All made me so sick I was bedridden. I've been on exemestane for about 2 1/2 yrs. Just TOLD my oncologist I'm stoppingvas I discovered it's tge culprit in my extreme exhaustion, pain, in addition to the full body arthritis I suffer from. Feeling better since stopping.

@aubreybill Yes! I like the idea of talking to my oncologist. Hopefully she will listen well. I am 80. I would like my final years to be peaceful. These drugs & this disease are not compatible with the concept of “peaceful”!

Two years taking Anastrozole - age 73 taking this AI for return of breast cancer after 20 years after surgery and radiation. I declined chemo due to my age. I was also concerned about hair loss but maybe just a little extra shedding but no major loss. Biggest issues sleep disruption, vagina dryness and overall joint soreness that during my first year was managed with exercise - this 2nd year had my oncologist prescribe acupuncture = had my first treatment and after a little extra pain after treatment subsided and feeling fantastic - after pain is not usual since getting extra blood flood to areas for healing. Also helping with my sleep. The vagina dryness was resolved with the estrogen ring which is a god sent. Talk to your oncologist about how long you need to remain on a AI - overall reports of heart disease, dementia. bone breakage issues - our bodies need estrogen for our overall health - I had a friend that stayed on this AI for over 7 years and she came down with heart disease. Talk to your oncologist about limiting the time on the AI - managing your overall health with regular check ups to be proactive and prevent "other health issues". Good luck!

I have those issues as well. Each drug has so many side effects. And several contra-indications as well.
To my several docs: discuss those with me. But in the end, the decisions are mine alone. You can go home at night and perhaps give it some further thought. I on the other hand, live with the effects of my decision 24/7. I'm capable of living and dying with my own decision.

The problem I have is the difficulty in exercising because of the pain from these drugs! Ironically I was someone to whom a five mile walk was ‘just a bit of a stroll’ , but two years on AI have left me with days when I’m struggling to get up/ down stairs. I try to keep moving and fit but it’s an ongoing battle.

@colleenyoung Exercise. Yes! The issue (for me) is the long list of negative side effects that come with these drugs!

@sandii28 I’m so sorry for your pain. I often try to not comment on posts about AIs, because I’m on tamoxifen, but I’ve done a lot of research on them because I needed to choose which hormone therapy I wanted to take.
It is so sad when doctor’s don’t use the knowledge that they have to support their patients. Letrozole and Anastrozole cause a large drop in estrogen. It is what they do, block estrogen. It is a well known fact that lupus flares are affected by hormone fluctuations. Doctors know that women have difficulty with lupus flares during perimenopause, menopause, and childbirth hormone changes.
Many women do have joint pain with AIs alone but the change in estrogen would seem to be a likely cause for a lupus flare.

@grandma41 it was the opposite for me I started on Letrolzole first and it made my joints hurt so bad then they switched me to Anastrozole and I hurt also can’t say if it’s less or not but the pain is trouble. I also have lupus so they don’t know if it’s a lupus flare up or the medicine, I have my right breast removed and I did radiation..,. Nothing compared to the pain I have with these pills