Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Great to know about the magnesium option too. Thanks!

I've been on Anastrozole (Arimidex) for 3 mos, the first pain was in my knees but it wasn't significant or there all the time - I'd never had knee pain before. In the past 2 mos my hip and back pain (aching and stiffness) is pretty significant. Saw my oncology nutritionist a few days ago who added calcium, vit D and Glucosamine/Chrondroitin to my daily Alive Women 50+ Vitamin. She looked at all the dosage amounts, some I take in the AM others in PM. Will try this for a month and if symptoms don't subside might try a different AI. I also get a lot of calf cramps at night that can keep me from sleeping. I do Pilates 3x a week which helps on so many levels. I'm 53 so I wasn't used to aches and pains until diagnosis 14 mos ago. Diagnosed IDC, PR & ER +, HER2-, nothing in lymph nodes, stage 1. Did lumpectomy, radiation and full hysterectomy (minus the ovaries), no chemo luckily.

Thanks for the information. I also get bad leg cramps at night and I take 800 mg. of magnesium in the evening. I can always tell when I forget to take it because then my legs are restless and crampy all night long. Thanks again for the info.

The rollers are the big foam rollers you see in gyms or at a PT office (black is usually the firmest). The other rolller is called "The Stick" and it's 17" long $30 on Amazon. I love it because I can roll my calves, thighs, neck (especially C1 at top of spine near the ear) and feet. I get calf cramps at night that can prevent me from sleeping and this roller has saved the day (or night)! Its also a great help for my stiffness in my neck.

I've been on Arimidex 3 mos and my symptoms started mildly in my knees, something I'd never had before. I do think symptoms can come and go as my knees are generally better but my hips are very stiff. I work out 3X/week and my Pilates helps a lot but i walk like an older woman, Im 54. Generally my back and hips are sore all the time and my calves cramp at night. My oncology nutritionist added calcium, Vit D and Glucosamine/Chrondroitin to my daily Alive Woman 50+ vitamin and will see if symptoms subside in a few weeks. She reminded me Tamoxifen help build bones but the A1's deplete the bones. That's why she added additional supplements to my daily vitamin. She also gave me a list of foods - ie: bright green, red and orange veggies and fruits.

I have been taking anastrozole since last September (2016) and have had a few side effects. One thing I have noticed is that the side effects seem to come and go. At first I had a lot of fatigue and bone and soft tissue pain. My oncology nurse told me to take Chondroitin/Glucosomine with MSM in it and that really helped. She also said to take 1 -2 tablets of Aleve PM before bedtime, which I do take around 7 p.m. My radiologist said I could also take 10 mg of melatonin and sometimes I do. I did have radiation but no chemo. Sometimes I also have pain around my ovaries about once a month but the nurse said that it is the ovaries drying up. She said your body always remembers your cycles and I am 68 so past menopause. I am interested in hearing about those rollers some of you have talked about. Walking about 30 minutes a day seems to help a lot. I am also interested in knowing if these side effects will ever adjust to your body or if they will always come and go. I do know that I get more stressed easily.

Hi, Starlight! I can imagine radiation for rectal problems would be VERY unpleasant. I know how much my breast and underarm suffered after 6 weeks of radiation, so I think rectal burning and swelling would be very painful. I hope you are healing. If you don't mind my asking, and maybe it's against the site rules, but where do you live? Small town? It might be worth your while to find a proctologist who is willing to give you a second opinion. It sounds as though having someone else give you an option would be good. I'll keep you in my thoughts, Starlight!
Molly

Just saw your post! I am beginning my 3rd week of Arimidex and so far have my fingers crossed.....Some insomnia, some fatigue (brought on by the insomnia?) and joint pain in the joints that already had arthritis, so it is not a huge deal. My life is pretty much back to normal after my December diagnosis and when I take my little white Arimidex every morning I think of it as what will keep any further cancer from returning. Honestly, things would have to get pretty bad with the Arimidex before I would consider stopping it.

I am not using my Ativan judiciously, I am sorry to say. I have taken it for sleep for many years. I am willing to give the melatonin a try ~ You never know! I also take Neurontin, which is not addictive and am trying to substitute it for Ativan, slowly. I found a recipe for "Golden Milk" on one of the Cancer Nutrition pages and when I simply can't stay in bed due to insomnia, I come downstairs and make a cup of that. It uses Turmeric, which I happen to love...It is an acquired taste but I do feel a slight drowsiness after consuming a cup....Could be because I haven't had more than 3 hours of sleep that night!

My doc gave me Xanex to be used as needed. I either fall asleep early or have insomnia due to Arimidex. If I realize by 1am I'm not going to fall asleep she says take a 1/2 pill. I sleep well but don't wake up groggy
I use it judiciously, melatonin didn't work for me

never heard of  i Arimidext i take Ibrance/chemo pill now for about 3 mod. for brst. canc, i was unable to have mastectomy as went to far, so take the above, faslidex and xgeva. also have a rectal tumor that nothing is being done and have tried for several mos. to find a less invasive surgeon.
good luck on your treatments, i did have radiation on the rectal tumor 2 yrs. ago not a good experience at all and do not reccommend it with the dr.s i went to.

talk to you later.starlight