Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I started Anastrozole, generic form of Arimidex, last October following radiation. The first side effect I noticed was brain fog and some memory loss. When I checked on-line for side effects of Anastrozole, brain fog and mild memory problems were side effects listed. I also started to have some depression and anxiety around Thanksgiving. I kept taking the Anastrozole through the first part of the year, but in February I started breaking out in hives. Hives are another rare side effect. I treated the hives with over the counter medication, but couldn’t stand the itching and called my oncologist. She switched me to tamoxifen. The hives didn’t get much better on the tamoxifen. In late February, I couldn’t stand the itching any longer and went to an InstaCare office. The doctor there said it’s possible that my cancer meds. we’re the cause and prescribed a week course of prednisone. That cleared up the itching and I haven’t had hives for a little over a month. I did start my tomoxifin again when I finished the cortisone. I’m not sure the hives were from either the Anastrozole, or the tamoxifen, but it’s possible and since I wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary, I suspect the cancer meds were the culprit. I did make an appointment with an allergist and seeing her next week. I’m hoping she can determine the cause of the hives. I see my oncologist in a few weeks for a follow up visit and will talk to her about ALL of these issues, the brain fog/memory issues, depression, anxiety, and the dreadful hives! Having breast cancer is bad enough without having all these other issues from the medications that are supposed to help prevent a reccurance! Cancer sucks!!!!

I also had insomnia, which I mentioned to the Oncologist at my 3 month check up. She said it was not a common side effect. Suggested Tylenol PM. Glad to hear I am not the only one. I was already on an anti-depressant, even before my diagnosis. Have you talked to her about trying one?

Still joint pain after 3 months off of the pill? That is not good

I had to stop after 3 months due to quality of my life . Also no pain for me till
The anastrozole. After being off for 3 months I am still having joint muscle and bone pain . Other symptoms subsided. Good luck I could not function . I have joined a fitness program at the ymca to get my strengths back

Elizm, it's so nice to hear somebody seems to have a grip on this. I'm so hoping I can be more positive and not have the fear always ready to spring. I'm starting telephone counselling next week so I hope this will help/teach me how to be more positive. Thank you again for replying.

@karendb
I'm so sorry that you struggling with this new journey. I was diagnosed a year earlier than you, and also thought that, once the surgery and chemo, etc. were done, I could return to my old life. It didn't work out that way for me. I've had more time than you to get philosophical about it all. My current mantra is "Whatever happens, love that." Sounds crazy, I know... but it allows me to make friends with the changes, although sometimes I attempt to go around them or affect them... but it's no longer a battle. Just sayin'....

Hi Sparklegram, it is hard to know if it's the drugs or the whole episode of bc. Are you currently on AI? I've been on arimidez for about a month now and the only real change I've noticed is a bit of insomnia, mild aches but the depression is all consuming.

@karendb - Hi Karen, yes, depression is one of the many side effects I have. It's always difficult to determine what is a side effect and what is life happening!

AI prior to breast surgery was part of a research study, can read more at
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01953588
Based on biopsies done prior to AI and again 3 months after start of AI, the tumor was responding to AI.

Laurie

I didn't take it before surgery either. But I'm thinking that the depression I have started long before the arimidez. It started the day I found out I had bc.