Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Hi Tina, it's been awhile now, how is the letrozole treating you? I'm still on anastrozole, but the muscle pain is getting me down and my thick hair is splitting and thinning. I see my onc in July and may pursue a change. I don't want to exchange one set of SE's for worse ones! However, I do feel fortunate that there is a drug available that may slow down/avoid a recurrence

Hi I hope everyone is doing well. I was taking anastrosole and having severe muscle pain and feared hair loss. I am now taking letrozole and so far no problems. I've been on it for three weeks so hoping for the best.

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.   
 

It made my joints hurt so bad and the hot flashes (which will go with all of the estrogen blockers) that I finally changed to letrozole.  The hot flashes are horrible, but taking 800 mg of magnesium has helped.  I do have what they call trigger finger with the letrozole which is a normal side effect.  The meds seem to make your body feel like a flu system at times.  I'd go off of it if I weren't so afraid of getting the cancer back.
 

What did you change to?<br />

I was having muscle and joint pain and concerned that I might lose my hair.<br />
My Oncologist changed my med. I will start tomorrow. She told me they have<br />
other meds. You might want to discuss this with yours. Best of luck to you.<br />

I have muscle and joint pain, insomnia, and my hair is rapidly leaving. I<br />
had radiation, but no chemo. All in all, I've decided to put up with it<br />
all as long as it works. Just had 12 mo. clear mammogram...so far so<br />
good! Hate losing my hair though.<br />

Welcome @cautiousoptimism.
@tinalove asked this very question a little while ago, so I moved your message to this discussion thread. View the full thread to see the great responses from @leemiller @luladavis @maureenkarras and @grandma41. It sure helps to hear from women how have been there!

@cautiousoptimism, What other side effects have you been dealing with?

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?

I took that drug, it made my knees and joints hurt so bad that I could not walk, I had to change drugs, I am now on Letrolzole, it has side effects too but so far nothing like the anastrozole. I lost my hair, it's not coming back very well, my last treatment was in April 2015.