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Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole
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
I had a Mammaprint done. If you talk to your oncologist, he/she will tell you that, depending on the particular characteristics of your cancer, some of these tests are not going to work for you. In my case, the OncotypeDX was not viable, but the Mammaprint was.
Never heard of this. I see it's a genetic test. I had the oncotype test instead. They both predict the re-occurrence of the tumor. But Thanks for the info. I feel like the better we are all informed - that's only a good thing.
Have you or anyone had the MammaPrint test done? Google it if you have not. One of my friends recommended it to me. Francine
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1 ReactionGood question! And unfortunately I have to answer with ‘I don’t know’. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my shoulders and knees about 10 years ago. But now, I don’t know if the worsening of joint pain is from further deterioration from arthritis, or if it’s from the cancer drugs. My shoulders and knees seem to be worse now than what they were last year when I was diagnosed with BC. I don’t know if my joints have worsened because I couldnt keep up with much exercise following surgery and radiation, or if it’s the cancer meds that are causing increased joint pain. But, yes, my joint pain has worsened over the past year since I was diagnosed. I’m back now to my regular yoga classes and that does seem to help, whatever the cause.
Lisman, are you having joint and bone pain with tamoxifen? I do not think that is one of the side effects. My biggest issue with Femura
@francine6829 Yes, side effects on tamoxifen are very similar to those I experienced on Anastrozole; but I think I tolerate tomoxifin a little better so for now I plan to continue with it. I went to an emergency clinic and the doctor there prescribed a 7 day course of cortisone to clear up the hives and itching. I also am seeing an allergist this coming week for some further investigation of any allergies that may have developed that could cause the hives. I’d have liked to get in to the allergist sooner, but each one I called was booked out for several weeks. I truly think the hives are reaction/side effect to my cancer meds. because I stopped the Anastrozole for about a week, the hives cleared up on their own. That’s when I contacted my oncologist and she switched me from Anastrozole to Tomoxifin, but the hives returned when I started taking the tomoxifin.
The hives are/were miserable, but for me, the worst with either of these drugs, is the brain fog and memory loss. I am able to function pretty well, but the mental sharpness that I had previously just isn’t there anymore. My husband hasn’t been very kind about it either and makes fun of me because I forget things so easily. I’ve learned I need to use some coping skills to help me like writing important things down and making lists. I very grateful for technology that I can keep those lists on my tablet, and I take it everywhere with me. I’m able to continue to work part time, and my co-workers are wonderfully understanding, so that’s a great way to help keep my self esteem up.
@berit - what was the something you found that worked better
@elizm Thank you talking about your acceptance. That has been my attitude as well once the shock was over. Also, I joined an 8-week Mindfulness Meditation class which has helped me not only accept this, but looking at my cancer as a gift - sounds crazy, right? But for the first time in my life, I have slowed down and can enjoy being in the moment. Plus, I like my new curly hairdo!
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1 ReactionOther than the hives, any other side effects from Tamoxifen?
@francine6829 @cancersucks
For me, I only walked on the treadmill (about a mile/day) during chemo and afterwards. Nine months after chemo (when I finally came out of the chemo fog), my muscles and tendons had lost their flexibility, the the neuropathy from the chemo was mixing signals. I added a strenuous balance/coordination class, tai chi, started seeing a physical therapist, and then a chiropractor who practices soft-tissue therapy... all because I hadn't been doing the right exercises during that fateful year. The aches and pains were not all attributable to the anastrozole -- many were due to not exercising my overall body. I wish that my oncologist had counseled me on the dangers of lack of proper muscle/tendon use, but he seems to be focused elsewhere (which is understandable). In the meantime, I work slavishly at trying to retrain my brain and body and regain lost use at age 71. (Not how I planned to spend my Golden Years!) It all would be worse, I fear, if I had done no exercise during this time.