Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I'm 74 and am waiting to start Radiation for Stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Estrogen & Progesterone +. After my radiation I'm supposed to start Anastrazole and am concerned about the side effects. My Medical Oncologist eased my anxiety. She told me to try it and if I experience side effects we have two other medications to try. If I can't tolerate any of them I'll have done what I can and just keep up with my follow ups. I figure the stress I was putting on myself is worse for my health than not taking the Anastrazole. I'm trying to keep things in perspective, with each passing year something else could kill me before the Cancer. But I don't want to be in constant pain or end up on so many medications that I can't live my life.

My oncologist ok'd topical Minoxidil. I am on Exemestane. It is working.

I guess you have to decide quality or quantity. I am 73 and want to feel decent with the years I have left.

I took Anastrozole for 14 months following a lumpectomy and radiation for Stage 1 lobular breast cancer. The side effects didn't really start until 1 year in. At that point, I started to experience depression, weight gain, vaginal dryness, and worst of all, pain in my fingers and hips. After 14 months, I told my oncologist that I had decided to go off of it. She offered to prescribe an anti depressant, but I refused. It's been 8 months since I quit taking it, but I feel soo much better now. I have a friend with the same type of cancer, and she also started to experience unbearable symptoms starting at about one year. She had severe swelling in one of her arms and her vision also suffered from pressure on her eyeballs. She has also quit taking it. I am anxious every time I go in for a follow-up, but I know that I would worry even if I were taking the med as it doesn't guarantee that the cancer won't recurr. It just reduces the risk by about 50%. I hope my experience helps you with your future decisions. Hugs.

Sorry meant additions!!!

Sorry to hear this I too am somewhat worried about the ‘addictions’ to my list of Anastrozole ‘issues’. I was hoping for some improvement but things don’t seem to be moving in that direction after 12 months in.

Hi. I’ve been on Arimidex for almost 2 years and the list of side effects is growing.

Prior to last month I “only” experienced fatigue. Now my feet, ankles and lower legs are very swollen.

Then there’s the pain. Sometimes I think I’m going crazy. I seem to have pain almost everywhere but the worst is my back, legs and feet.

Standing hurts, sitting hurts and walking hurts.

I’m tired of hurting. Stretching exercise routines help but not for long.

I called my oncologist and left a message requesting an appointment. Hopefully she will have some options for me.

Thanks for listening.

I am going on 5 years this April. Doc has added on two more years . I haven’t had any hair loss but I do get very constipated. Also get very tired . When I stopped taking in the morning it got better. I still get tired but it is closer to going to sleep.

What about Rogaine/Minoxidil 5%? Can women on AI's take that?

I'm terrified of thinning hair!

I'm screen grabbing this response and praying that if I have problems this combo works for me, thank you! I just had a lumpectomy and am about to do radiation soon, then these drugs which are scaring the crap out of me ... reading this was such a relief that you have found ways to avoid most of the symptoms!!