1. < Breast Cancer

Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Posted by tinalove @tinalove, Jan 31, 2016

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?

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jeannie53 | @jeannie53 | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "Jeannie53- I asked my breast surgeon about those tamoxifen side effects you mentioned. He said unless..." + (show)
@francine6829

Jeannie53- I asked my breast surgeon about those tamoxifen side effects you mentioned. He said unless I smoke, which I don’t or have a history of blood clots, those side effects are very very unlikely. He thinks Tomixifen is a good choice. I have not convinced my oncologist yet

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@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.

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1 reply
kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "Kathy- which AI are you taking?" + (show)
@francine6829

Kathy- which AI are you taking?

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Anastrozole - yes, it takes all the moisture out of everything - which is why the acne seemed strange.

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kwanless | @kwanless | Apr 4, 2019

Yes to acne! I thought I wouldn’t have any since there were no hormones. It’s ridiculous!

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kwanless | @kwanless | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "Kathy- which AI are you taking?" + (show)
@francine6829

Kathy- which AI are you taking?

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Anastrozole

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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @gwinter "@francine6829 my oncologist said to ask my gynecologist oncologist when to take. She said when I..." + (show)
@gwinter

@francine6829 my oncologist said to ask my gynecologist oncologist when to take. She said when I felt ready to! It has been 8 weeks so I'm going to start in a couple. Pharmacist said it might add an extra year of taking if I go every other day. But I was going to start every other day for a month then try every day!
I might be changing oncologist anyway. He is a numbers man, too. So he now has me at 20% recurrence even with the surgery! Aarrgghh
Let me know how you do!! I will, too.
This one must be newer so good luck!
I have decided it's about quality of life even more.

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Gwinter. The newest one is Femura and that is the one I went on and had horrible bone and joint pain

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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 4, 2019

Kathy- which AI are you taking?

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2 replies
gwinter | @gwinter | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "gwinter- I too am going to try aromasin but I am not optimistic. Is the doc..." + (show)
@francine6829

gwinter- I too am going to try aromasin but I am not optimistic. Is the doc allowing you a few weeks to heal from your hysterectomy before you start? That is interesting the advice from your pharmacist to take it every other day. I wonder what your oncologist will think about that AND does that impact its effectiveness?

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@francine6829 my oncologist said to ask my gynecologist oncologist when to take. She said when I felt ready to! It has been 8 weeks so I'm going to start in a couple. Pharmacist said it might add an extra year of taking if I go every other day. But I was going to start every other day for a month then try every day!
I might be changing oncologist anyway. He is a numbers man, too. So he now has me at 20% recurrence even with the surgery! Aarrgghh
Let me know how you do!! I will, too.
This one must be newer so good luck!
I have decided it's about quality of life even more.

REPLY
1 reply
kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @trixie1313 "@kwanless I rub some extra-strength blue emu cream on my hands before bedtime and try to..." + (show)
@trixie1313

@kwanless
I rub some extra-strength blue emu cream on my hands before bedtime and try to bend my fingers a little. If I keep them straight, then it's difficult to start moving them. The gynecologist suggested using olive oil or coconut oil in my "lady parts" area and this helps somewhat to keep a little moisture there. This stuff is brutal! I find the headaches are one of my worst complaints over all the other stuff as well as my vision is a bit blurry.

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I tried Aspercreme with lidocaine - that helped as well on my hands. Exercise has also really helped with the muscle/joint pain. Any one else had problems with Acne?? On top of everything else - It's like I'm 15 again. LOL

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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @jeannie53 "@francine6829 - Hi Francine, My doctor explained that Tamoxifen is the drug that has been around..." + (show)
@jeannie53

@francine6829 - Hi Francine, My doctor explained that Tamoxifen is the drug that has been around the longest that is usually a drug that I would want. My concerns for myself about Tamoxifen are the warnings about blood clots and uterine cancer. I have a friend that did quite well on it with no effects. As for me when we get to that decision I just may opt out. As you had reactions on Letrozole I'm also leery of any of the drugs and will give them all a try and see how it goes. Good luck with Aromasin hopefully you will do better with it.

Jump to this post

Jeannie53- I asked my breast surgeon about those tamoxifen side effects you mentioned. He said unless I smoke, which I don’t or have a history of blood clots, those side effects are very very unlikely. He thinks Tomixifen is a good choice. I have not convinced my oncologist yet

REPLY
1 reply
jeannie53 | @jeannie53 | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @francine6829 "jeannie53 - Letrozole is stronger than anastrozole and I took it for 7 weeks and then..." + (show)
@francine6829

jeannie53 - Letrozole is stronger than anastrozole and I took it for 7 weeks and then stopped. All the leg pain you mentioned was exactly why I went off. And the pain kept me up every night. I give you credit for staying on it 6 months. I will try Aromasin but I really want to go on Tamoxifen (even tho its not one of the newer fancy drugs), because it does not have the bone pain side effects.

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@francine6829 - Hi Francine, My doctor explained that Tamoxifen is the drug that has been around the longest that is usually a drug that I would want. My concerns for myself about Tamoxifen are the warnings about blood clots and uterine cancer. I have a friend that did quite well on it with no effects. As for me when we get to that decision I just may opt out. As you had reactions on Letrozole I'm also leery of any of the drugs and will give them all a try and see how it goes. Good luck with Aromasin hopefully you will do better with it.

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