Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

@sparklegram I hope you visit goes well. I, too, have severe stenosis in my lower spine and cervical spine as well as spina bifida of my coccyx and a few other yucky spine problems. Hoping that does not get any worse, but don't have high hopes as I already have osteoporosis of my spine and osteopenia of my hip and forearm. I'm supposed to have Zometa infusion, but cannot until my dental work is done and dentist clears me. He says because the Zometa (biphosph.) if started too soon, then the gum/roots will never heal. If it isn't one thing, it's another! I do take my Anastozole (Arimidex) just before going to sleep.

My oncologist has told me that the newest drug Letrozole has the fewest side effects. I want to know why the oncologists are not monitoring estrogen levels. I had to ask my gyno to take my blood. So, now my estrogen is zero. What is the number that is safe for estrogen and to not have a cancer reoccurence?

@cindylb
What was the total time that you were on the meds and how long has it been since you have stopped all of them. What you are doing is what I am considering because my quality of life is not what it should be. I'm also sensitive to drugs and only take migraine medicine when needed. I have never had to take any medication every day and this is a bitter pill to swallow--pun intended.

@francine6829
That's the trouble... you only are hearing from those of us who are having trouble with it. Many more people have no trouble at all. The American Cancer Society (if memory serves) has a side-by-side comparison chart of the various AIs and their side effects. Interestingly, Arimidex (anastrozole) is reported to have the fewest side effects. In the end, it all depends on an individual's chemistry, fitness level, etc... some do better with one than another.... and trials-to-date appear to find that they help prevent recurrence.

What were your side effects on tamoxifen ? Were they different than the other two?

Hello Jeannie53 - I tried Taxomifen, Arimidex and Letrozole - so 3 of the 4 available. All of them made me really sick but then most drugs do (unfortunately). I was only a Stage 1 cancer so I was lucky that my doctors weren't too worried about recurrence (no guarantees however). I changed my diet (less sugar, carbs), increased exercise and lost 27 pounds (some of that weight was 'cheating' because I lost a lot of it due to my bi lateral mastectomy.....my body used lots of energy to heal. I concentrate on lowering my body fat because estrogen is produced some in your fat as well.......so less fat, less estrogen.
That's it...........I am just taking a chance that the cancer will recur because day to day I can't live with the side effects. The usual side effects are bad enough but the pills caused me to have severe depression, blood in my stools, and lowered my immune system so drastically (for whatever reason) I got shingles and mono in the period while I was taking them. I don't think that's 'usual' at all.......but I also can't tolerate most antibiotics (allergic) and some pain medications. I take no prescriptions at all at present because I'm the poster child for side effects. Sigh.

@cindylb
Did you stop taking the medication and if you did what are you doing instead of it.

@sparklegram
I purchased the tablets in the vitamin section of grocery store and use McCormick ground tumeric from the spice section of the grocery store. Not sure what the dosage is supposed to be but I figured anything has to better than nothing.

@elizm @francine6829

I bought tumeric tablets have not kept up on taking them. I have been adding tumeric to my food such as stews and soups it's actually pretty good I leave it on the kitchen counter so I remember to add it to my cooking. Guess I need to do it EVERY day.

Estrogen is especially bone protective, so as we age we start to have issues with bones because that estrogen (and possibly progesterone) protect our bones. The AI drugs given for breast cancer eliminate not only the diminished estrogen one might have after menopause but ALL the estrogen essentially. That's what causes the bone pain, the actual degeneration of bone due to the drugs. For people who may also tend toward losing bone mass......it can be especially hard.
I have bones of steal and no osteoporosis in my family but I even had bone pain in my wrists, hips and jaw............so..........(I was unable to take the AI's due to more severe side effects).........but did a lot of research and unfortunately bone pain and loss is a pretty common side effect of the AI's.
Hugs all..............