Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Jeannie53 - I had Stage 0 cancer (LCIS) prior to invasive cancer and tried tamoxifen. That raised my blood pressure to dangerous levels and I was off of that in a month. My doctors and I agreed to 'take my chances' which then became invasive cancer 3 years later (could the Tamoxifen stop that..........I'll never know now). After my bi lateral mastectomies (that was my method....remove the whole mess)....I tried Letrozole for two weeks and developed severe joint pain, severe depression and it compromised my immune system in some way (they think) and I got mono and then shingles.........right after a mastectomy, along with lymphedema. So, I tried Arimidex a few months later and got blood in my stools. I only took Arimidex for a couple of weeks as well. All told I probably only took AI's for 2-3 months. Now my treatment method is to try and stay as healthy as possible, keep my weight down and eat right, etc. I quit sugar, carbs (mostly) and alcohol and take various pretty mainstream vitamins to keep me plugging along. My estrogen levels are 0, my progesterone is always 0 (never had much of that, hence estrogen dominance my whole life) which probably contributed to my cancer issues. My cancer was only Estrogen positive (no progesterone) and is lobular and has no other factors (not HER positive, etc). I was lucky to catch it early at Stage 1, so no chemo, no radiation.
At my last oncology visit (due again in May) my doctor said to forget about the AI's unless I have a recurrence and then I will have no choice. Hoping it won't come to that.
I'm not a fan of the AI's but I would take them if my cancer comes back and suffer through whatever I needed to........kinda like this 'living' thing
Hugs.

I'm not taking the AI's because of the side effects and do get my estrogen levels checked and yes, diet changes, losing weight, etc....all will help keep estrogen at bay somewhat. The AI's are more effective than any natural methods of reducing recurrence so you have to weight the side effects of these drugs with the cancer recurrence risk. Doctors are REQUIRED to offer and suggest the protocol treatments and AI's are part of that. It's the best thing they have now to stop recurrence but again............quality of life is a factor as well. For those of you who have had chemo and radiation, it's no picnic but it too is the best method doctors have to kill cancer.......and again, there are or can be serious side effects. That's cancer in a nutshell. Since they don't really know how to 'cure' cancer they manage it and every patient has to decide for themselves. I think it's the hardest thing I've ever done and the hardest thing I've watched people go through........deciding what treatments to do and which to skip. There are no guarantees on either side. Basically, cancer sucks and here's hoping research will begin to uncover better, more effective and more pleasant treatments.
Hugs

I am sorry that radiation burned you

@francine6829 After chemo, radiation and it's burns are a piece of cake - I had to have 30 treatments.

Ugh. Notice that women are not complaining about radiation treatment. They got that one figured out. It was a non event for me after a lumpectomy

My oncotype was 18. I did 21 sessions of radiation after a lumpectomy. Stage 1 with clear margins. Anastrozole dried every part of my body. My face looks 20 years older and no vaginal moisture at all in addition to aches and pains in joints.

Maybe you have an zero estrogen level too! I have never heard the oncotype test connected to radiation only chemo. My oncotype was 12 and I did 4 weeks of radiation

@francine6829 I ended up arguing with my oncologist over hormone tests! I wanted to do them a few times before the hysterectomy / oophrectomy he suggested due to the type of BC I had. Then take a hormone test after surgery. He said no also due to it being different so often. My oncotype was 19 so that is why the 20 radiation treatments.
Anyone who has zero estrogen level in my mind needs to NOT take AIs!!

@francine6829 I am supposed to start aromasin but waiting until after shingle shot and a few more weeks...just had robotic hysterectomy due to type and grade of breast cancer

I applaud you! I’ve been on it for 7 weeks and am ready to quit. Did your oncologist try to put you on another pill?