1. < Breast Cancer

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?

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Glori | @elvandi | Apr 3, 2018

What is the mg. dose of Anastrozole that you were prescribed to take. ? I was given 1 mg. and wonder if that is the usual prescribed dose when first starting this drug. Seems like a very low dose ?

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2 replies
shenriq | @shenriq | Mar 17, 2018
In reply to @cautiousoptimism "I have been taking arimidex for 8 months since dx of lobular carcinoma. I have many..." + (show)
@cautiousoptimism

I have been taking arimidex for 8 months since dx of lobular carcinoma. I have many side effects, including hair thinning. Has anyone else experienced this? Will I eventually lose it all?

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I’m on my 3rd AI - Letrozole, and I am have ngbthe least amount of joint pain over the other two. I am, however, having serious challenges with the tendons in my hands: trigger finger on one hand and now a thumb on the other. Overall, I’m determined to hang in there and I’m wearing splints, hand braces and doing hand exercises throughout the day. As they say, pick your poison.

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Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Mar 17, 2018
In reply to @grandma41 "I believe most of the meds have these side effects, some are not as bad as..." + (show)
@grandma41

I believe most of the meds have these side effects, some are not as bad as others, but the side effects are enough to drive you nuts.  The hot flashes are absolutely horrible.  I never went through anything like this when I went through menopause.   
 

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Welcome to connect, @brianphilip. Thanks so much for sharing your insight. The US brand name for tamoxifen is Nolvadex or
Soltamox, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/tamoxifen-oral-route/description/drg-20066208

This inaugural issue of Forefront, a Mayo Clinic publication, has some very interesting details about Tamoxifen, and highlights latest findings and ongoing research: http://mayocl.in/2Iu3Xse

I'm tagging @cindylb @kat9606 and @robynmar who've shared their experiences with tamoxifen, and they may have some more information, as well.

@brianphilip, we'd really like to get to know you; could you share a few more details? When were you diagnosed with breast cancer? Have you tried other treatment that also helped or perhaps didn't work?

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brianphilip | @brianphilip | Mar 17, 2018
In reply to @grandma41 "I believe most of the meds have these side effects, some are not as bad as..." + (show)
@grandma41

I believe most of the meds have these side effects, some are not as bad as others, but the side effects are enough to drive you nuts.  The hot flashes are absolutely horrible.  I never went through anything like this when I went through menopause.   
 

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I have been taking Tamoxifen Farmos 20mg for many months after my breast operation (meant for 5 years) no hair fall and feeling great - my Professor oncologist in Switzerland says this is the least toxic medicine on the market which reducies estrogen and this medicine has been doing the job for years with great success! Ask your doctor maybe in the USA the name is different. All the best Celia

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Molly MIller | @mollymiller | Mar 17, 2018
In reply to @cautiousoptimism "I have been taking arimidex for 8 months since dx of lobular carcinoma. I have many..." + (show)
@cautiousoptimism

I have been taking arimidex for 8 months since dx of lobular carcinoma. I have many side effects, including hair thinning. Has anyone else experienced this? Will I eventually lose it all?

Jump to this post

I must agree. I am 68 and made the no-chemo choice. I completed radiation and am struggling with Arimidex, as I have arthritis which is worsening. I'm doing the best I can to live happily day to day. Quality of our time spent here on earth is so important.

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donnay | @donnay | Mar 16, 2018
In reply to @cautiousoptimism "I have been taking arimidex for 8 months since dx of lobular carcinoma. I have many..." + (show)
@cautiousoptimism

I have been taking arimidex for 8 months since dx of lobular carcinoma. I have many side effects, including hair thinning. Has anyone else experienced this? Will I eventually lose it all?

Jump to this post

You sound almost exactly like me. At our age what life we have left is too precious to be feeling miserable for the last years with all kinds of treatments that may or may not help.

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Lexalaska | @lexalaska | Mar 16, 2018
In reply to @marykaym63 "Have you tried acupuncture for pain relief? I also use massage on a regular basis and..." + (show)
@marykaym63

Have you tried acupuncture for pain relief? I also use massage on a regular basis and find it helpful for pain control.

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Thank you marykaym63. I have not tried acupuncture but just may. Massage is like torture with the fibromyalgia. Reki may be an option. I will look into those. I’m thankful I don’t take narcotics for the pain.

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Molly MIller | @mollymiller | Mar 16, 2018
In reply to @marykaym63 "Have you tried acupuncture for pain relief? I also use massage on a regular basis and..." + (show)
@marykaym63

Have you tried acupuncture for pain relief? I also use massage on a regular basis and find it helpful for pain control.

Jump to this post

Massage! I need to indulge myself more often. It DOES help! I had acupuncture gege!about 10 years ago for chronic headache, bit it didn't really do much....But massage! Thanks for the reminder!

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Molly MIller | @mollymiller | Mar 16, 2018
In reply to @lexalaska "I hope you are all having better days. I am 65 years old & been on..." + (show)
@lexalaska

I hope you are all having better days. I am 65 years old & been on anastrozole for 13 months. I started to experience increased fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes, increased joint pain, depression, thinning hair, & dry skin within the first few months. I had a small lumpectomy in Sep 2016 for pleomorphic LCIS, which is treated as DCIS, but the margins weren't clear enough. My husband passed away Dec 2016 after 3 1/3 years of declining health & becoming an invalid with me as the primary caregiver/health navigator/saddening wife & best friend. I then had a larger lumpectomy with reconstruction in Feb 2017 and concurrently started hormone therapy. Breast reduction of the left breast was done at the same time of the last lumpectomy because the amount of right breast tissue taken was so large, there was gross disparity in size. Due to healing problems with the surgical sites, I couldn't start radiation therapy til Jun 2017. I couldn't discern if the symptoms were grief, hypothyroid, arthritis, fibromyalgia, aging, radiation, &/or anastrozole. I have just developed new onset moderate to severe hand pain within the last month or so. In addition to an active prayer life, I take a medication regimen that keeps me balanced, positive, moving, & functional - antidepressants (Cymbalta, welbutrin), trazodone (sedative to get to sleep), D3, gabapentin, Armour (thyroid), aspirin, Ubiquinol (CoQ10), Aleve, fish oil, joint support formula, & of course, anastrozole. I take other meds for bladder control & GI reflux. I'm counting the months until the 5 years are up to see what all goes away or decreases. In the meantime, I don't want any form of cancer so I will do what the oncologists/surgeons deems most appropriate & tolerate the SE. "May the wind be at your back, the sun in your face, and the love of God in your heart!"

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'Just sent a long letter to you and it flew into cyberspace. Basically I am taking a lot of the same anti-depressants and sedatives that you are. I am looking in to Medical Marijuana, which is legal here in PA. If it could help me get off of some of the drugs I would be happy! My heartfelt prayers are with you; I'm so very sorry about the loss of your husband.

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marykaym63 | @marykaym63 | Mar 16, 2018

Have you tried acupuncture for pain relief? I also use massage on a regular basis and find it helpful for pain control.

REPLY
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