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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francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 3, 2019
In reply to @kwanless "I have been on anastrozole which is generic for Aridimex for a year and a half...." + (show)
@kwanless

I have been on anastrozole which is generic for Aridimex for a year and a half. I have aches and joint pain every where. I have trick fingers and fingers that lock. I have insomnia. I have gotten deep wrinkles overnight. I have no moisture in any parts of my body including my lady parts. I’m 60 and feel like 90. I hate feeling like this!

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Have you asked your oncologist to switch you to another Pill?

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1 reply
kwanless | @kwanless | Apr 3, 2019
In reply to @karendb "@francine6829, I've been on arimidex for about a month now and have just noticed a few..." + (show)
@karendb

@francine6829, I've been on arimidex for about a month now and have just noticed a few aches and a bit of insomnia. I hope this is as bad as it'll be cause 5 years seems like such a long time to have to take it.

Jump to this post

I have been on anastrozole which is generic for Aridimex for a year and a half. I have aches and joint pain every where. I have trick fingers and fingers that lock. I have insomnia. I have gotten deep wrinkles overnight. I have no moisture in any parts of my body including my lady parts. I’m 60 and feel like 90. I hate feeling like this!

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2 replies
karendb | @karendb | Apr 3, 2019

@francine6829, I've been on arimidex for about a month now and have just noticed a few aches and a bit of insomnia. I hope this is as bad as it'll be cause 5 years seems like such a long time to have to take it.

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1 reply
francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 3, 2019

All, If you had to choose between Aromasin or Arimidex, which would you choose and why (focusing on side effects)?

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karendb | @karendb | Apr 3, 2019
In reply to @kathyomaha55 "It is a gene test of your particular tumor. It has a score of 1 to..." + (show)
@kathyomaha55

It is a gene test of your particular tumor. It has a score of 1 to 50. if your score is low 26 then you do need chemo, in the middle was a "grey" area. I was a 22, IN June of 2017, they released a 10 year study of 8,000 women. Based on that study the Middle range, doing chemo for them, did not improve their survival rates. Since I was in the middle at 22, my oncologist said I did not need chemo. Previous to the study, I would have under gone Chemo. Since you had chemo already, I guess either you had the test or your doctor just decided you should take it. Anastrozole is a Form of chemo - by suppressing Hormones, it reduces the chance your tumor will re-occur. I agree more information helps us all.

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Thank you kathyomaha55.

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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Apr 3, 2019
In reply to @karendb "Thank you Elizm. I've just completed chemo and radiation a month ago so was a bit..." + (show)
@karendb

Thank you Elizm. I've just completed chemo and radiation a month ago so was a bit confused.

Jump to this post

It is a gene test of your particular tumor. It has a score of 1 to 50. if your score is low 26 then you do need chemo, in the middle was a "grey" area. I was a 22, IN June of 2017, they released a 10 year study of 8,000 women. Based on that study the Middle range, doing chemo for them, did not improve their survival rates. Since I was in the middle at 22, my oncologist said I did not need chemo. Previous to the study, I would have under gone Chemo. Since you had chemo already, I guess either you had the test or your doctor just decided you should take it. Anastrozole is a Form of chemo - by suppressing Hormones, it reduces the chance your tumor will re-occur. I agree more information helps us all.

REPLY
1 reply
karendb | @karendb | Apr 2, 2019
In reply to @sparklegram "@karendb - Karen, you are not dumb! There is so much technical information that happens plus..." + (show)
@sparklegram

@karendb - Karen, you are not dumb! There is so much technical information that happens plus the emotional side of your diagnosis. It's truly awesome we have this group to help us understand and to give support.

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@sparklegram, thank you.

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sparklegram | @sparklegram | Apr 2, 2019
In reply to @elizm "@karendb You're not at all dumb. Some of us panicked when told that part of the..." + (show)
@elizm

@karendb
You're not at all dumb. Some of us panicked when told that part of the treatment plan was chemo... and these tests potentially can tell you that you're a good candidate (because of high rate of recurrence) or not to have the chemo. They basically test a sample of your tumor (following lumpectomy or mastectomy) for various genes.

Jump to this post

@karendb - Karen, you are not dumb! There is so much technical information that happens plus the emotional side of your diagnosis. It's truly awesome we have this group to help us understand and to give support.

REPLY
1 reply
karendb | @karendb | Apr 2, 2019
In reply to @elizm "@karendb You're not at all dumb. Some of us panicked when told that part of the..." + (show)
@elizm

@karendb
You're not at all dumb. Some of us panicked when told that part of the treatment plan was chemo... and these tests potentially can tell you that you're a good candidate (because of high rate of recurrence) or not to have the chemo. They basically test a sample of your tumor (following lumpectomy or mastectomy) for various genes.

Jump to this post

Thank you Elizm. I've just completed chemo and radiation a month ago so was a bit confused.

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1 reply
elizm | @elizm | Apr 2, 2019

@karendb
You're not at all dumb. Some of us panicked when told that part of the treatment plan was chemo... and these tests potentially can tell you that you're a good candidate (because of high rate of recurrence) or not to have the chemo. They basically test a sample of your tumor (following lumpectomy or mastectomy) for various genes.

REPLY
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