Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I started out on Tamoxifen. I was on it for 2 years. It damaged my Liver. So my Dr. put me on
Letrazole. The pain in my joints was terrible. I am now on Anastrozole. The insomnia and fatigue and constipation has been bad. Not sleeping has been the hardest for me. I am taking a break from it for a couple of months. I have been on it for over a year.

@gwinter I drink 3-4 bottles of water daily, 16.9 oz each. I'm not overly dry anywhere else. So I don't think it is dehydration.

@kwanless - I also had terrible leg pain and at times could not climb stairs unless I pulled myself up by the bannister. In addition to fatigue and getting depressed because I felt awful. I stopped my pills after 6 months and saw my oncologist yesterday, I have been off of the pills for a week and started to notice the difference after 5 days. My doctor could not believe that I have been suffering and told me I should have let her know and stopped the pills when the pain kicked in. She has instructed me to take a break for 1 month to get it all out of my system and wait until I feel like my old self. I was on anastrozole and she is going to change me to letrozole. She said if that does not work we will just try different drugs until one works and if none agree with me we will figure my next step which may be no drugs. My point is please do not suffer I had no quality of life and was starting to feel very depressed. Quality of life is very important I get having some off days but every day was off and that's not living it's existing. Please talk to your oncologist and if you get no results consider getting a new oncologist that listens to you. Sending good thoughts your way!

My lips have been extremely dry for the past few weeks. They feel like they are burning and have become a size too small! I have tried Chapstick, Vaseline ( which has always worked for me before cancer) and Blixtex. Nothing seems to comfort my poor lips. I'm taking Anastrozle. Could that be the source of my discomfort?

My lips have been extremely dry for the past few weeks. They feel like they are burning and have become a size too small! I have tried Chapstick, Vaseline ( which has always worked for me before cancer) and Blixtex. Nothing seems to comfort my poor lips. I'm taking Anastrozle. Could that be the source of my discomfort?

I hope so Jeannie. I have such a negative attitude about these drugs, even knowing it will help me survive longer.

I hope so Jeannie. I have such a negative attitude about these drugs, even knowing it will help me survive longer.

@francine6829 Thank you Francine. My oncologist told me that the effects are not as dire as made out to be. I appreciate you letting me know that not smoking and past history should be weighed in. I have never smoked and no history of blood clots. As I said I have a friend who tolerated it very well she was on Tamoxifen for 5 years and is 6 years out cancer free. This is a very bumpy road and we are all trying to get to the same place hopefully things will smooth out for all of us.