Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I started on Anastrozole inFeb of last year - by Sept was having quite a bit of joint/bone pain. After a test that showed osteoporosis had increased in the last 3 years (breast cancer just discovered in 2017), the Dr. changed my RX to Exemastane in Dec. & started a twice yearly injection of Prolia, which I understand is supposed to help with bone thinning. Also, my hair has come back much thinner since the chemo -( don't expect that to get any better). The joint pain is still there & think it always will be. But - don't want the cancer to come back, either, so will continue with the meds.

I've been pretty lucky without the unpleasant side effects that some people have. But my DEXA scan after a year on anastrozole showed some incremental bone thinning. In spite of what the DEXA scans say, my bones aren't fragile - if they were, I would have broken something by now - but I'm seeing the naturopath at our cancer center and she has me taking a supplement called Osteo K, which is a lot more expensive than the anastrozole. I'll try taking it for a year and see if it helps. I may be having some hair thinning, and have added a few pounds that I'll blame on the drug. But mostly I'm able to stay active.

I have just been prescribed this medicine. I understand one of the side effects can be bone loss. Just wondered what other people are doing or using to help with this problem.

Welcome to Connect, @bmerxbauer. Have you experience bone loss with anastrozole?

I’m hanging in there, but continue to be challenged. Having taken Anastrozole and Aromasin— each fir 6 months, I stopped all for now 3 weeks, trying to regain “normalcy” with my hands & wrists. While slightly improved, like you, I’m not sure that’s achievable.
I’m starting letrezole/femara next week - my last option because tamoxifen isn’t an option for me. I am hopeful that the side effects are less problematic, given the desire to continue the meds for 4 more years.
Let’s keep talking.

I'm wondering how you're doing nearly a year later - I've switched to Exemastane due to the joint pain (elbow & wrists) and general bone aches. The aching has stopped but the joint damage/pain seems permanent. As I understand it, the side effects are very similar with the two drugs.

I started Anastrozole last Feb and switched to Exemestane in Dec due to joint pain. I still have the pain in my elbow and both wrists - maybe arthritis was always there and these have made it worse (I'm 75). I don't know what my estrogen levels are but am on Prolia every 6 months due to bone thinning. I guess it's just a matter of what helps one problem may make another worse.Also, my hair was always thin but now it's REALLY thin and that seems to go along with it all.

Of course, side effects are stated in the literature, but how you respond is to be seen. It was a very slow, sneaky drug that crept up on you and the symptoms truly began in the 3rd month. It is important to understand that you won't know fully how they'll impact you until you've been on the drug for 6 months, wherein you know how you'll tolerate it. For the most part, I had difficulty with joint pain, particularly in my wrists and hands/fingers, including numbness and weakness. After 6 months, I transitioned to Aromasin for 6 months, experiencing the same side effects and have been off for almost 3 weeks. I will resume AI therapy and start Letrozole and hope to be able to tolerate it for 4 additional years.
I never experienced hair loss.
Afterthought: In the first 3 months of taking Anastrozole, I felt body pain, very old and fatigued. The joint pain persisted in my hands & wrists and the full- body pain wained, but the fatigue continued with either drug. I can now drink coffee without any struggle and have NO problems sleeping. Woo Hoo!!!!
Wishing you good health and every success!

Did your doctor put you on a bone building drug?

Happy New Year to all! I don't know if I posted this yet but I was unable to take the meds due to side effects and this past August I had my 2 year checkup and my oncologist, at my request, checked my Estrogen levels via blood test. I was worried about my estrogen levels due to estrogen positive breast cancer and my inability to tolerate the meds....and I had virtually NO ESTROGEN. I do have many of the side effects the drugs would cause and found that interesting because I have not taken the drugs....I have hair loss, some achy joints, some weight gain, etc......those side effects (for me) were due to the lack of estrogen. I'm sure the drugs amplify that process. It's something you might request of your doctor if you can't take the drugs...a test to see where your hormone levels are?? I was very relieved and pleased to find that my hormone levels dropped on their own and that reduces my risk of recurrence somewhat...without the use of the meds.