Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I did have some hair fall at the start of taking Anastrozole. I use some special shampoo. I was already on Minoxidil pills and I added the minoxidil foam several times a week. My hair did return to the same level as before starting the medicine. At 20 months I had many many side effects and Terrible pain. My doctor changed me to Exemestane and I’m having less side effects. Starting the new medicine I again I’m having some hair fall, but I feel like if I do the same thing that my hair will rebound again. Good luck in your journey, everybody’s is different.

@katrina123
Like you I had estrogen positive cancer this summer and had a lumpectomy. I refused the radiation since my surgeon said all the margins were clear. Oncologist recommended it. I hope I won't be sorry later, but I didn't feel the need to go through it. To me it just seemed like they do it as a just in case they didn't get all the cancer. I was put on Anastrozole 1mg, but after 3 weeks I have decided to stop because of the side effects. I am a little worried doing that after reading that some of you had recurrence 4 years later. I don't drink, don't smoke and eat pretty healthy. Hoping that will keep me from getting it, but I may be totally wrong. I am willing to take that chance just so I can feel myself again and enjoy each day.

@katrina123
Like you I had estrogen positive cancer this summer and had a lumpectomy. I refused the radiation since my surgeon said all the margins were clear. Oncologist recommended it. I hope I won't be sorry later, but I didn't feel the need to go through it. To me it just seemed like they do it as a just in case they didn't get all the cancer. I was put on Anastrozole 1mg, but after 3 weeks I have decided to stop because of the side effects. I am a little worried doing that after reading that some of you had recurrence 4 years later. I don't drink, don't smoke and eat pretty healthy. Hoping that will keep me from getting it, but I may be totally wrong. I am willing to take that chance just so I can feel myself again and enjoy each day.

@rbarber100 Thanks for sharing. I think for me than I made the right decision to stop after 3 weeks. It was making me not feel like I wanted to do much. Stiffness that is still bothering me and I'm a walker and biker and around your age. Getting ready to turn 72 in December. I already have thin hair, not from the medicine, but I did notice I was losing a lot in the shower just starting this, now it has slowed down to almost nothing. For me personally I want to live my life feeling the best I can. Will not try any further meds after reading other comments. You girls are amazing that are willing to stay on it. Good luck to everyone. What a way to spend our later years worrying about breast cancer.

I started on anastrozole and was on it for about 2 1/2 years. Many do not have side effects (and don’t always join these groups so you hear mostly the bad here!) but I had pain and fatigue at first, then hair loss started after the first year. Not terrible, mostly thinning, but a topper helps. After the 2 1/2 years I was feeling about 90 even though I am a young 73. When I took a break I realized I had been in a severe depression! I have switched to exemestane in September and starting to see a little of the same effects after only a few months. I guess I am stuck like this for another 8 years, oh joy.
They say everyone reacts different so I hope for you that you can sail through with no problems!

@katrina123 I had a lumpectomy in 2016 and went on Tamaxifen. Like you, I got another cancer in the other breast anyway - 4 years later. I have been on Anastrozole for the last year or so and concerned it may not protect me.
I do understand it is not 100% protective, so I just have to hope for the best. I hope you will be ok also. It is urgent to catch these early.