Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Posted by tinalove @tinalove, Jan 31, 2016

I completed all treatments for breast cancer but now I am supposed to take hormone blocker, named anastrozole. im concerned about the side effects. Has anyone here taken it and did anyone have hair loss?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 31, 2019

Welcome new members (Jan 2019) @kathyomaha55 @sandrajo @jeannie53 @huey @lisman1408 @baker1 @karendb I hope I didn't miss anyone.

Hi all,
I want to invite you to a Video Q&A happening next week Wed, Feb 6, 2019 from 9:30am to 10:00am Central time zone. See details here:
> Video Q&A about Women's Cancers https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qs-cancers/

Given the broad topic "women's cancers", I doubt the session will address symptoms of aromatase inhibitors, but may be of interest. You can also see all past webinars archived here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinars/ Simply use the search term "breast cancer" to find specific videos.

baker1 | @baker1 | Jan 31, 2019

In reply to @lisman1408 "Did you have side effects from the Anastrozole? If so, what were they?" + (show)

I have been on Anastrozol since November 2018. So far my side effects have been mild. Some back soreness, some fatigue. A few times I had tingling of my fingers and a brief dizzy spell( on the very first day of taking the Anastrozol). Staying active helps a lot.

lisman1408 | @lisman1408 | Jan 31, 2019

In reply to @marybe "I had a mastectomy of my left breast last week. I had been on Anastrozole for..." + (show)

Did you have side effects from the Anastrozole? If so, what were they?

marybe | @marybe | Jan 30, 2019

I had a mastectomy of my left breast last week. I had been on Anastrozole for 6 months prior as part of a clinical trial to reduce the tumor (it didn’t). I am now off it for a month, which I am calling my honeymoon. I feel amazing. The drain sites are annoying but I haven’t had to take any pain relief. I know I have to start the Anastrozole again soon, but I’m not looking forward to it. I still need my right side mastectomy so it’ll be after that

lisman1408 | @lisman1408 | Jan 25, 2019

Thank you! Every little bit of information helps. I try to keep moving too. I try to walk a mile every day on my treadmill, and I think it helps. I live in a cold and snowy area so being outdoors isn’t feasible right now, though I do love to be outside!

huey | @huey | Jan 25, 2019

I’ve been taking anastrozole for 15 months. My oncologist told me to keep moving. I don’t have any issues. I walk everyday.

jeannie53 | @jeannie53 | Jan 21, 2019

In reply to @elizm "@sandrajo Speaking only for myself (and my Cancer Community Peer Group), those of us who experienced..." + (show)

Actually I felt great until 2 and a half months on it. Started it on October 1 and pain kicked in late December. Joint, muscle and bone pain also the bottom of my feet. Today I feel pretty good..go figure.

elizm | @elizm | Jan 21, 2019

In reply to @sandrajo "Have been taking arimedex for 7 months and surprised that so many women complain about joint..." + (show)

@sandrajo
Speaking only for myself (and my Cancer Community Peer Group), those of us who experienced joint/muscle/bone pain from anastrozole, began experiencing it during the first 2-3 weeks....

sandrajo | @sandrajo | Jan 21, 2019

Have been taking arimedex for 7 months and surprised that so many women complain about joint pain associated with the drug. My only complaint is thinning hair and fatigue. My question is: do the symptoms of joint pain begin immediately after starting the drug or after taking it for a long time?