Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I have been taking exemestane along with zoladex and I have fatigue, brain fog, and pretty severe joint pain. I'm not sure which drug is causing the side effects.

I agree. I’m struggling so bad. Joint pain. Hair loss. Hurt all over. Brain fog is horrible. Emotions. I don’t even recognize who I am anymore. They switched me to letrizole and I am not seeing much different at all. It’s horrible to have to just live this way.

With all respect to those you know that had no problems, those of us, including myself have had horrible side effects. I was not the same person, joints hurt all the time, no sleep etc.
I am off Anastrozole for two weeks and then we will try another one..... I wish everyone the best but some have a hard journey with AI's.

@traci999 alternate days was immediately offered to me by my oncologist and is apparently quite common. I am still not sure why side effects would be better if it works to suppress estrogen, but my doc did suggest it. I stayed with the full dose but it was always an option to skip a day between pills.

I meet with my oncologist next Friday to discuss my options. I never thought of that so thanks I will ask.

Can you ask for a lower dose? The half life is 50 hours. Maybe every other c day?

With all respect to those you know that had no problems, those of us, including myself have had horrible side effects. I was not the same person, joints hurt all the time, no sleep etc.
I am off Anastrozole for two weeks and then we will try another one..... I wish everyone the best but some have a hard journey with AI's.

Hi @tinalove, welcome to Connect.
You'll notice that I moved your message into the Breast Cancer group.

Anastrozole belongs to a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. You can find out more about them and what to expect here http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hormone-therapy-for-breast-cancer/basics/what-you-can-expect/prc-20015050 On the list of side effects of anastozole, hair loss is listed as an uncommon side effect.

It would be nice to get a first-hand experience for someone who has taken hormone therapy. I'm tagging @luladavis @maureenkarras and @lecase to see if they will join this discussion.

Maureen wrote a while back about side effects of exemestane, one of the other aromatase inhibitors and Lecase asked about the pros and cons of anastrozole and tamoxifen. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/can-anyone-speak-to-the-proscons-of-arimidex-vs-tomoxifen-ive-been-on/

Tina, what kind of breast cancer did you have and what treatments? How are you doing?

I’m ER 100% and PR 60%. I’m upset that women get the same dosage of medicine without blood work being done to 1) determine your baseline Estradiol level and 2) periodically check Estradiol levels after being on an AI. Seriously, isn’t monitoring numbers all about research? My Estradiol level is already the lowest in range at < 5, why should I take a full dose of any AI? Women need to question this theory. We are all different and should be treated like individuals … not treated with standard meds. That’s not fair to anyone.

@vkroger what was your ER score from pathology, and your PR score?

These meds reduce estradiol below detectable levels, by eliminating estradiol produced in the adrenals.

The drug insert for Femara (letrozole) states that a 20% dose achieves that undetectable level. However I am not sure what difference the dose makes and would love to see studies. To me, either estradiol/aromatase is suppressed or it isn't. Even with a 20% dose, if effective, we would have the same symptoms since the symptoms are from estrogen deprivation, right?

That said, try switching manufacturers or switching to a different AI. I ended up taking brand name Femara though at the end I found one generic I could tolerate.