Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Have you tried all three of them? I couldnt tolerate anastrazole (sp?) but letrozole is bearable. You really need to make the personal decision of your quality of life vs the drug. I too worry about the lobular sneakiness, but we do what we need to. Diet, exercize, mindfulness are all important to maintain our health and peace. Many who dont believe in meds go that route. Im trying to enjoy every day im in remission, because a new journey may be tomorrow!

What meds were you on to cause your hair loss?

I'm not very good at this site and so once again I'm jumping in (like a bad conversationalist at a cocktail party). I chose a bi lateral mastectomy (at Stage 1) because I'd had a lumpectomy at Stage 0. My Stage 0 was in my left breast and Stage 1 was in the right. Because lobular like to hit both sides I just decided to remove my breasts to avoid future tests and lumpectomies. I could have had just a lumpectomy, that was an option. I have low tolerance for worry (I am a very good worrier) and I knew that I wanted to reduce my risk as much as possible. I am now at pretty low risk and that's good because I can't take the aromatase drugs - I get the worst of the worst side effects, but I still worry about cancer coming back (we all do of course). I turned 58 a few days after my bi lateral and really don't miss my breasts at all, so that was another factor for me. I also found that the surgery was not that much more involved or painful than the lumpectomies I had done....so if that becomes a decision you might have to make, most women are in agreement it's not so bad. BUT, I have opted for the most extreme care for emotional reasons and I don't think research shows that a mastectomy increases longevity much more than lumpectomy in many cases. Hope this helps. No matter what decisions we make.....it's hard not to question the choices. Someday they'll have this figured out and we can all look back and see how our decisions pan out.

Did you have a choice as to whether you could have a lumpectomy or not? I also had invasive lobular carcinoma , stage 1 but I opted for a lumpectomy. Just kind of wondering if that was the right thing to do.

Hello Cautious Optimist! I'm emailing because I'm also a lobular carcinoma (bi lateral mastectomy Nov 2015 - stage 1). There aren't too many 'lobulars' out there so I thoughts I'd reach out to you. It's not as common (but second most common)...only about 10% of breast cancers. It's a sneaky one which is why I'm agonized so much over not being able to tolerate the drugs. I get every side effect and then some. I'll just have to take my chances on the cancer I guess, but I have constant second thoughts.

Thanks Jane

Thanks Lee

I had surgery, chemo, and radiation, and since I was staged at 3C it didn't seem an option not to take an aromatase inhibitor. I've been on anastrozole for a little over two years. I see the range of side effects others have and count myself lucky. I may have had a little hair loss, maybe a little weight gain, but I think that's all.

I have been taking anastrozole for 2.5 years now, and it is not clear to me what is a side effect and what is just aging. I suppose the minor hot flashes are a side effect, but ice water takes care of that. I have increased back pain and difficulty sleeping, but these existed to a lesser extent before I started the drug. I am waiting for the results of a bone density test.
My cousin took this drug 20 years ago with no problems, and her friend accidentally took for 10 years (misunderstood how long she was supposed to take it) and she had no issues with it. So, it appears from reading all the responses on here, that reactions are certainly highly personalized! I hope we all get through all this cancer and therapy and live long healthy lives!

I believe STRESS can ,also, cause hair loss. I did experience that and my dermatologist stated is was due to stress.