Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Thanks for the response. I wondered if the hair loss was due to Femura.

Which drug or treatment caused your hair loss?

I took that drug, it made my knees and joints hurt so bad that I could not walk, I had to change drugs, I am now on Letrolzole, it has side effects too but so far nothing like the anastrozole. I lost my hair, it's not coming back very well, my last treatment was in April 2015.

No - but I see my surgeon in May, I'll discuss it with her. My next oncologist visit is in July. I am having hot flashes, but they seem to be lessening somewhat. They don't bother me as much overnight. I was getting like 1 an hour after surgery & radiation. I've been in menopause since I was 39. I did have IDC.

@kathyomaha55 did your team ever suggest hysterectomy? Your whole case is so close to me! I am almost 65 but was grade 2. Going to try aromasin or only next week!

My oncotype DX score was 22, so there was no Chemo needed (it would not improve my survival rate). I was ER+, PR+ and HER2 Negative. I'm not sure of the TN - I need to go review my paperwork. They did do genetic testing. I had no genes for BC but some family history. I agree Each treatment and person can be different.
I went to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which takes a team approach to each cancer patient, The whole team decides together - what treatments will be best for each person. Team consists of Surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, Social worker, genetic specialist, and others. I was Stage 1 but grade 3. Each person needs to discuss with their doctor and have a feeling of trust with their doctor. My worst side effect so far is the joints in my hands hurt, it only started a few weeks ago. I've taken the drug for about 5 months. I'm only 63 - I want to be around a lot longer.....

@kathyomaha55
Just an addition to your post: I am told that that cumulative risk of recurrence, post-treatments, appears to depend on the original pathology report upon diagnosis (in particular, the TN). For example, women diagnosed with T1 cancer with zero positive lymph nodes had less than a 1% risk of distant recurrence (brain, bone, liver, lung, etc.) per year for 5 to 20 years years after diagnosis. This works out to be a cumulative risk of distant recurrence of 13 % 20 years after diagnosis.

Hormone receptors, HER2 status, and which treatments were given, also influence the statistics on recurrence. (The mind reels....)

The original cancer can return to the same breast or the other one, or elsewhere. Interestingly, if it recurs in a lung, for example, it still is considered breast cancer and is treated accordingly. Amazing....