Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I have been taking Anastrozole for 3 1/2 months, started immediately after 2 months of radiation. I did not need chemo. Side effects of Anastrozole started within a week of starting which include trigger finger and backache across the middle of my back, but it is starting to deminish some, maybe because of exercise, vitamin D and my body adjusting. BUT, I am losing a lot of hair...I’m very concerned about how much hair I’m shedding. I was not prepared for this. I do have some problems sleeping buy I take ambien when I can’t sleep. I’ve been very emotional since about half way thru radiation and wonder if Anastrozole is also contributing to my bad mood.

Thanks so much. I've only been on it for about a week so I'll wait a bit and if it doesn't stop I'll call my doctor. She says there are a couple of other meds that do basically the same thing and it may take a while to find the right one. This is post-surgery, and I'll be taking it for five years or more, so I want something I can live with.

I had same side effect from Arimidex,increased in anxiety and lots of crying. The oncologist referred me to psychiatrist that placed me on anti-anxiety medication to help with symptoms. I was on Arimidex for 5 months prior to surgery. The medication did what it was suppose to, the tumor decreased in size. I stopped taking day prior to surgery and after a a few days the anxiety dropped. I have already told oncologist I do not want to take Arimidex, she suggested we discuss hormone therapy options in 6 months after done with chemo and radiation.

I didn't have the same reaction with Femara. Only the bone pain.

Thank you. I didn't realize there was a separate forum. This should help to get answers. I hope!

@islandelder, welcome to Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this active discussion about the side effects of Arimidex (anastrozole). I did this so that you can meet others talking about treatment with aromatase inhibitors. Simply click VIEW & REPLY in the email notification to go to the discussion and read through past comments.

That is curious about the crying jags since switching to Arimidex, but it doesn't surprise me. Mood changes is listed as a common side effect. I'll be interested to hear who else may have experienced this, too. Did you experience any mood differences with Femara?

I've just been switched from Femara to Arimidex because of bone pain with the former. Suddenly crying jags come from nowhere. My last radiation treatment was a year ago and my checkups have been fine. Feeling okay, but this is new. My history: Breast cancer diagnosis, October, 2016; Mastectomy, right breast, Stage 3C, Feb, 2017; chemo, four treatments, then 30 radiations. Anyone else? I don't necessarily feel depressed, but anything sad or infuriating on TV makes me cry. I'm not a big cryer. Thanks.

I am also on Anastrozole as part of a study. I started in April and took for 5 months prior to lumpectomy last week. The anastrozole did what it was supposed to do. After 1st month the Ki 67 was rechecked via biopsy and it had declined, which is what doctor was hoping for. The result of surgery showed tumor was smaller than when first diagnosed.

I meet with doctors next Thursday to find out about radiation and future treatment.

My side effects were minimum. I was already being treated for depression / anxiety, and my anxiety increased after starting medications. But seeing I was dealing with breast cancer and all that it involves, it was hard to know if Anastrozole was the causes of increased in anxiety.

My advice is if you do notice side effects physical or psychosocial, make sure your doctors are aware of them.

Good luck
Laurie

I was stage III also. I did neoadjuvant chemo, then surgery, then rads, and finally, now, anastrozole. Originally I was told I’d be on anastrozole for 5 years (it’s been about 2 years so far), but research now makes it look like it’ll be for at least 10 years. It’s all good and I’m really enjoying my health now!

Thank you for welcoming me. I was just diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in June. Anastrozole is the first course of treatment that they are trying. I will tell my story in a new post