Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Next month I will have been on anastrozole for two years. Side effects have been minimal... I’ve not experienced pain or joint pain like many women report. The first few months however I had very frequent hot flashes (much more intense than those I’d had through my natural menopause) which were often preceded by a sensation of “prickles” over my entire body. The prickly feeling is very rare now. I do still have hot flashes but they are not as frequent nor as intense— I guess my body’s adjusting. I take them as a sign that the anastrozole is still working! I also play havoc with our thermostat as I change the settings for my comfort, although I try to be somewhat thoughtful about the others who live in this house, too, LOL!

Welcome to Connect, @marybe. This specific discussion thread is a good find - so much information and multiple experiences to read through. We also look forward to learning more about you, Mary. What type of cancer did you have? What other treatments did you have before anastrozole? I would be particularly interested in hearing more about the clinical trial you're participating in.

I am a new member, and came here specifically to ask about Anastrozole. I’ve only been on it a month (as part of a clinical trial through Roswell Park Cancer Institute) and I was wondering about everyone’s experience with side effects so I was very happy to find this topic. Now to read all 18 pages!

No worries, @elizm. The video will be archived and you can watch it any time. If you have a question you'd like to ask, you can post it beforehand here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/cancer-fighting-foods/

Well, shoot... I imagine that would be an interesting video. Hopefully, someone will take notes and post them for those of us unavailable on the 23rd?

A little off topic for this discussion, but thought you'd like to know about an upcoming video Q&A with Mayo Clinic experts on the topic:

"Cancer-Fighting Foods"
Thu, Aug 23, 2018
12:00pm to 12:45pm CT

See details here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/cancer-fighting-foods/
And post your questions before the broadcast.

Radiation to the left breast has possible heart-lung damage. However, you can opt for Proton Radiation, which does not hit the areas of heart-lung. It pin points only the cancer area . Something to look into and check out Jacksonville, Fl. for Proton Radiation Institute.

I had absolutely no pain associated with the cyst, which was benign.
work out daily and thought I would have detected something...nothing! I did an internet research and discovered the information linking anastrozole to ovarian cysts.

What you said was very interesting. I've been on anastrozole for almost 2 years now and just had another biopsy in June which came out ok. I saw my oncologist this morning and told him about all of my bone pain and fatigue. He talked about going off for a while and then going back on. I wondered if it really prevented recurrence but you've answered that for me. Was your ovarian cyst benign? I do occassionally have some discomfort in the pelvic region but just tend to ignore it. What were your symptoms. Can you tell me where you found out that there is a connection between the anastrozole and ovarian cysts? Thanks alot for your information.

I was on anastrozole for nearly 3.5 years, following my first breast cancer diagnosis in 2014. Unfortunately, I had a recurrence that was diagnosed in March. I had two lumpectomies. Obviously, the anastrozole did not prevent a second breast cancer diagnosis; however, I was lymph node negative with clear margins both times. Although I had no noticeable side effects from taking the drug, a PET scan revealed that I had a large ovarian cyst that was removed via oppherectomy in April. My research indicated that anastrozole has been connected to the formation of ovarian cysts.