Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

@francine6829 That's great that you interviewed them. I had a very good male doctor assigned to me, but he did not do well in communication. At the medical center I go to, one can switch physicians with no problem or backlash. I looked at all of their CVs on the web site and chose a female doctor and she is quite good at communicating, in fact, about 2 hours after my MRI brain, she notified me via e-mail that it showed no tumors! Also, we had a phone appt and I told her regarding headaches on and aches from anastrozole and she advised she liked to start with this and then we can always make changes. I hope all goes well with your new oncologist - be proactive and you'll do just fine.

@francine6829 wow you got interview! We are given names or just given an oncologist

@francine6829
I interviewed a number of oncologists. One preferred Femara, the other two preferred Arimidex (anastrozole)... all noted that, if there were issues, patients could try an alternative or two.

I am perplexed why my oncologist put me on fermera first - 6 weeks ago, but the majority of the women on this site are on something different

@francine6829 no it was never brought up

Was Femara a choice?

@gwinter
You're so right... we're all doing the best we can (which requires taking in lots of opinions, reading lots of clinical trials and analyses, and, in the end, being our own advocate).

@elizm @francine6829 Both of you I applaud you! I have reactions to pretty much everything as far as meds go! Could not take tamoxifen due to blood clot from birth control pills. So, I have followed the oncologists orders: just had robotic hysterectomy / oophrectomy.
I tried armidex 2 different timex. I was scolded by the oncologist because I did not give it enough time but I had suicidal thought, 36 hour hot flash, and could barely get out of bed due to the aches and pains. Yes, I have osteoporosis but Damn it I was stage 1A and lymph nodes clear, marginal tissue clear. I will try aromasin soon and start at every other day.
I am trying but we all have to decide what quality of life we want!
Every appt. my oncologist changes percentage of recurrence. I am sick of it!
Again I did lumpectomy, 20 sessions of radiation, had a hysterectomy and trying the Damn AI . I am going for a second opinion and I know my body and its reactions. I am 64 and have 4 grandsons and love the outdoors I am not going to be a couch grandma.
Remember you know how you feel!

I just read the risk is 1.6 in 1000 for endometrial cancer. Did your hair thin or get bone pain on tomax?

@francine6829
The thing I didn't like about tamoxifen is that it presents an increased risk for uterine cancer... not something which I want to worry about.