Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I did not have hair loss but I did not tolerate Anastrozole well. Poor sleep, more intense hot flashes, dry skin and tendon problems. Took a month off of medication advised by my new oncologist and then started letrozole and taking it at night. 2 months in and I think psychologically (knowing this oncologist will work with me) maybe all that’s different as letrozole and Anastrozole are basically the same drug. But hot flashes are better ( the weather has changed so I don’t get to my
flash point as quickly. I’m taking a magnesium supplement for sleep issues. Dr also suggested acupuncture specifically for ‘women’s health’ to reduce the menopausal symptoms and yoga. Living in a rural area, it is quite difficult to find a women’s health acupuncturist but I am on the search. I guess my take away is if you don’t trust your dr- switch and look for alternatives in conjunction with your medication

You were one of the lucky ones. After 18 months on Anastrozole I opted to quit. I have posted before all that occured while on the medication, it became a quality of life issue. We all have to weigh our options and hope and pray we made the right decision. Bone loss medications are dangerous and I will not take them. Do your research, listen to your body and go from there.

I also use Anastrozole manufactured by ACCORD and when my pharmacy switched manufacturers I had dramatically increased side effects ( not in hair thinning) . Switched back to ACCORD and settled down again.

So much self advocacy needed on this journey!

I had mild hair “ thinning” as in much more on comb/brush especially after washing… returned to usual after a while then again after replacement surgery. I have “ decided” that it was an effect from physical ( and emotional) stress from the anesthesia.

Check out TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM. It describes the natural cycle of hair growth, rest and shedding… and what may interrupt that . It’s quite interesting.

I had some hair loss no change in bone density after five years on anastrazole accord manufacturer. Very low in side effects worth the results.

I was able to lose some weight on Anastrozole ( using WW) and at one year my DEXA remained stable … endocrinologist has prescribed a DEXA at year two as well and if I am still stable will go to 2 years.

Every BODY is different and responds differently. Ii wish we had more predictable possible outcomes. It would make our decisions so much easier. 🌸

You can always stop … or change… it’s a daily pill not a multi month infusion. I feel safer taking the meds. Best to you 🌸

Thank you, very helpful! I am looking at the odds percentages of recurrence versus the side effects of anastrozole. I hope and pray that I make the right decision.!

Yes, I have heard the difficulty losing weight about anastrozole. Also, I have thin hair to begin with and I am 72 years old and have heard about the thinning hair but my bigger issue is osteoporosis. since I already have osteopenia.

On Anastrozole I have mild and manageable joint stiffness (mostly in hips) that I could mitigate with walking and yoga stretching. I also have mild night sweats sometimes and mild insomnia sometimes. After one year these symptoms increased dramatically… after two months I decided to check everything I was taking in such as food and supplements etc. it turned out my pharmacy changed the manufacturer for anastrazole and my newly dramatic side effects coincided with this change. I found a pharmacy that could order the original manufacturer, and began looking into the brand name. Now that I’m back on the original my side effects receded back to mild/manageable.

So… when there is a change in your response to a med check any changes in generic manufacturing. Generic us not regulated in the same way as brand meds and they can fluctuate in main ingredient as much as 20% ( I’m told by a company rep) in either direction. Also they have different fillers. It would be nice if this were more tightly regulated.

Brand is always better but OMG $1700.00/mo vs $25.00/mo at CVS!