Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Wow... remarkable story! I had some form of heart-lung "event" while on chemo and herceptin which also was never diagnosed. As my tumor had been on the left side, I chose not to have radiation as I didn't like what I was reading about the possible heart-lung damage one could incur on the left side. I also chose to wait several weeks before going on anastrozole as I noted on the Mayo Clinic website that it had no less than 82 (!) side effects. I have experienced perhaps 25 or so from time to time over 7 months (nothing life-threatening) which I have attributed to it... but who knows? The oncologist's office doesn't say one way or the other and my other doctors aren't that familiar with it. Each of us has her own individual chemistry and there is no way to predict how we're going to tolerate a med. Stay strong!

Three years ago I had surgery for bilateral breast cancer (estrogen related in only one breast) had a full course of radiation, then was put on anastrozole. Within days of taking anastrozole, my oxygen level fell to 77 while my heart rate was over 105 and climbing. In the ER doctors were trying to find out if I had a blood clot in my lungs, a heart attack or an embolism. In a few hours everything returned to normal. I suspected that it was an event triggered by the anastrozole & I called the cancer center where I'd been treated to ask if my symptoms were a common side effect to anastrozole. I was told highly unlikely. I stayed off the drug for two weeks before attempting to take the drug again. The same thing happened, After the second time, however, the pulmonary effects didn't reverse and I had to go on oxygen 24/7. At the time I lived at an elevation of 7200 feet and my doctor advised me to move below 5000 feet. Instead I moved to sea level and can now breathe without a machine. I turned down advice to take an alternative anti-estrogen drug.

Oilermama -- Just jumping in with my two cents here on the subject of Benadryl. It is an anticholinergic drug which does have side effects (especially as we age). What got my attention last year was a Harvard Research paper entitled "Common Anticholinergic Drugs Like Benadryl Linked to Increased Dementia Risk." The paper is online and you might want to give it a read. The older I get, the more concerned I've become regarding the effects of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, promoted by the pharmaceutical industry and not studied well by our own Food and Drug agency before its approval.

thanks! I will keep that in mind. I was using the walgreens version of Benadryl. anything helps!

This isn’t directly related to anastrozole, but I developed hives during chemo. The doc had me take Zantac! I knew it just for stomach issues but it’s actually a type of antihistamine. Maybe you knew that already.

I’m sorry to hear yours is getting worse. Everyone is different I know, but after two years things are better for me. I realize that’s still a ways off for you. Another thing I’m doing is working on balance and practicing walking a narrow line. The peripheral neuropathy affects balance and gait too. 🙁
Good luck!

I am allergic to antibiotics too (it's not fun is it?) and my daughter is allergic to red dye......some of us are just sensitive to chemicals and other things. I am 60 years old now and started my 'breast cancer journey' at 56 (officially) so I was post menopause. I was unable to take the aromatase drugs as they all had bad side effects for me and so now my doctors check my estrogen levels every six months by blood test. I have estrogen positive breast cancer BUT as of a couple months ago, once again, virtually no estrogen, no progesterone. I encourage women to get a baseline estrogen and progesterone blood test to see how much estrogen, etc. you have. In my case I feel a bit better because I know I have little estrogen to bring the cancer back and because I can't take the pills, at least that gives me a little comfort for now.

thanks for the quick response. I am allergic to blue dyes and some antibiotics, so I will be interested in what the doctor says...

I am allergic to everything (or so it seems). Sounds like an allergic reaction to something in the drug. Remember, there are other chemicals in the drug in addition to the 'active' drug and you might even be allergic to the chemical of the drug itself. It's hard to pinpoint allergies specifically, they're tricky but I wouldn't take a chance on anastrazole again. There are other options. You might be able to look up anastrazole and find all of the ingredients (both brand name and generic) and trace it back to certain ingredients that don't agree with you.
I had many symptoms from the two aromatase drugs I tired and had to quit. I also developed a skin rash that persisted for 18 months and has just now subsided. The rash could have been induced by the drugs (or others used during surgery) or it could be a type of lymphoma. I am watching and waiting on that. So, I wouldn't rule out an allergic reaction or intolerance.

I began taking anastrazole in May... A week ago I developed severe hives! No changes in laundry soap, etc. The oncologist suggested suspending the anastrazole until I see her in another week. As soon as I quit taking the medication the hives cleared up (that was also after a steroid shot, of course) Has anyone else experienced hives?