Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I hate to say it but I am glad I am not the only one with the memory issues 😊. It is so frustrating at home and at work. I actually pretend that I remember what my co-workers or family are talking about when they say “do you remember when ...”

I'm only a some time user on this very good website....I am coming up on my 2 year mammogram. I completed lumpectomy surgery for a stage 2 breast cancer in January 2017. I completed 37 radiation treatments and then began Arimidex in MAy 2017. It hasn't been all that pleasant, but breast cancer isn't either. I would trade hot flashes and body pains for the assurance that my cancer is under control......Not much more I can add at this point. Until that next mammogram shows up negative, I will not rest easy.

@lisman1408

@guntherbear You are one of the few here who have mentioned memory loss. I have been on anastrozole for 3 months and have noticed memory loss and ‘brain fog’ also. It’s very frustrating but I’d also rather have that than cancer.

My side effects have been ‘brain fog’, forgetfulness, and memory loss. Has anyone else experienced this? My issues started a few weeks after I started on anastrozole.

I was on anastrozole for 2 months and had to go off due to many of the side effects . One month off and I still have problems with shoulder , wrist swelling and severe enough pain to keep me awake . My dr is not going to put me on a different one . I do know a lady on it for a year at my church and she seems fine . It wouldn’t hurt to try it . Don’t assume you will be affected till you are

@brianphilip and @elizm, side effects are tricky. Everyone reacts differently. You're quite right @brianphilip when you said that Tamoxifen will have the least side effects *in your case*. Because he is your doctor, he has your full medical record and history and is able to knowledgeably make that assessment. And it seems he was correct as you are luckily experiencing few to no side effects.

@elizm is also right. For many women, AIs offer fewer side effects than tamoxifen, but some of the side effects that women do experience from AIs are really difficult, causing some to change to a different AI or to stop altogether.

The most important thing to remember is to discuss side effects with your cancer care team. There may be alternatives, like switching to or from tamoxifen or changing the AI or, depending on your risk factor, reducing the length of time of treatment. Or, yet again, there may be help in managing the side effects.

I am having severe hand pain as well. Fortunately, on Tuesday I get to see a physical medicine and rehab doctor at U of M who specializes in cancer patients. Hopefully he will have some suggestions on ways to get the pain in my hands and hips to abate. Good luck to you!

I have been on Letrizole for over three years I have not had any hair loss, nor any significant side effect until recently. In the past two months, however, I have had significant pain in my right finger wrist forearm and elbow bicept and shoulder. A little of similar pain in my left arm but negligible. My right arm is significant and really gives me trouble.

I was not given a choice between tamoxifen or anastrozole because when taking a certain type of birth control pills when I was 19 I begin having blood clots. I am now 64 not so sure about the clotting anymore..but because of that incident supposed to be taking ai.
Sorry, but I am taking my chances...I am taking nothing. I am exercising more and trying a better diet but he will not answer my questions or listen to me...I am an individual and want to be treated like one.
We will see how the appointment goes in a few weeks.
I want to be able to get down on the floor and play with my grandkids. I don't want to live on the couch or in bed.
Good luck to all! This is a crazy journey!