Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I was switched to anastrozole. I was premenopausal prior to chemo. Chemo put me into menopause but they were not sure if it would be permanent so started me on Tamoxifen. I took that for three years and now have been switched to the AI because they are sure I am i permanent menopause and there are some studies that show it may be more effective for post menopausal women.

@kathyomaha55
I don't know. My situation is that I am unable to tolerate gabapentin, venlafaxine, and other such drugs... they all give me brain fog (worse than chemo did). I had to search for something natural, with no side effects, and came upon PEA which has been a godsend. Before it, I also had relief from a Chinese herbal pill called Zhi Bai Du Huang Wan which I got from my acupuncturist. From what I read, no one seems to know why some people evolve out of CIPN and others don't.

Something which you may want to explore: on the Mayo website, an employee tried the Calmare Strambler Therapy. She had had CIPN for ten years, and found relief after one treatment; a pain specialist at Johns Hopkins also has had some success with it. See http://calmarett.com/ for doctors who provide this treatment. It is not covered by insurance, however. I tried it anyway... (unsuccessfully).

When I first got PN - My neurologist gave me Gabapentin (generic Lyrica) which is for nerve pain. It does work, I take it before bedtime (200 mg). I was wondering if this PEA will work to remove it long term. I've struggled with this for like 9 years.

sadfeet - you switched from Tamoxifen to another pill? Which one? and why did you switch from Tamoxifen?

@kathyomaha55 @sadfeet
What I've been buying comes in 400mg capsules (ultramicronized PEA from The Netherlands). On good days, I take two, 12-hours apart. On bad days, sometimes up to four. I noticed that one study used up to 2000 mg/day for people with CIPN, and another used 600 mg/day. [I also take Alpha Lipoic Acid twice a day which is reportedly good for nerve health, but alone, it did nothing for the pain.]

What dosage do you use? I have PN - got it before I had cancer. Not from Diabetes.

@sadfeet
I, too, have CIPN... it's a bear, isn't it? I have found remarkable relief (from the burning and electrical shocks) with an all natural fatty acid amide called Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) -- no side effects, AND, you can buy it on Amazon. Look for the unadulterated kind (without B vitamins and such). It normally takes about 3 weeks to notice a considerable difference.

Just switched to it two days ago from Tamoxifen. We'll see how it goes. I am already suffering from CIPN in my feet ( feels like electricity 24 hours a day) so I hope no more pain with this med!

I also have insomnia. When mentioned to my doctor - she said it was an unusual side effect. She suggested taking a benadryl before bedtime. Yes - it does suck all the water out of you - I seem to drink water all day long, like 6 to 8 bottles. I also had the constipation - starting taking like 4 dried prunes a day - I buy the ones packaged singly. That really helped with that problem. I think the fatigue has lessened - but I starting going to the gym regularly, as my Dr. said EXERCISE. And I do feel much better. I'm on anastrozole - Starting my 6th month on it.

I so agree.