Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole
I completed all treatments for breast cancer but now I am supposed to take hormone blocker, named anastrozole. im concerned about the side effects. Has anyone here taken it and did anyone have hair loss?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.
Update: I was originally going to ask the surgeon for the name of someone for a 2nd opinion, but held off on it because it didn’t feel like the right person to ask. Yesterday I saw my primary for an upper respiratory thing and stated my concern and he gave me a name of someone totally outside the group. Anyway, I am now in the process of getting all the pathology reports together so that the appointment can be scheduled. I might not get a different answer but I’m really going to ask the doctor to drill down the risk/benefit of taking the AI. I’ll keep you posted.
@francine6829 Good luck to you please keep me posted if you don't mind. I think I'll start it in June and see how it goes.
@sparklegram
That is great..I'm so happy for you...you go girl!
Yes, I walk and take 2000 units of vitamin D daily. Hanging in there on Arimidex.
I had a lot of joint pain on the anastrozole, but vitamin D and walking helped me with that. lI am hopeful, but realistic!
On Femura, I had terrible debilitating joint pain starting at 3 weeks. At 6 weeks my oncologist took me off. I hope it works for you
@jeannie53
I was on anastrozole for 1 month with all-day splitting headaches and then wound up with diverticulitis! Oncologist gave me a few weeks off and am just now starting on letrozole (Femara). Hot flashes and sweats I can take, but hopig NO headaches!
Hi jeannie53. I've been on anastrozole for about 3 months now and have very few side effects. I have a few aches in the knees but I don't even need a pain killer. I noticed my equilibrium is a little off (almost fell off the deck). But all in all, not bad at all. Takes me awhile to fall asleep too. But considering the alternative, I will keep taking it. I would rather live with a few aches and pains than not! Good luck to you.
@jeannie53,- I completely understand. I'm 74 (as I keep stating here!) and I keep wondering if it's worth it to have all these side effects from Anastrozole. I look and feel 174. Then, I chicken out and keep taking it.
jeannie - I've been on it for 2 days - so far so good. If it doesn't work, you can stop anytime. I hated the other drugs too.