Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Since my cancer was grade 0 non invasive I will not change my mind. If I had a higher grade I might have. Heart attacks, blood clots and osteoporosis run in my family. The Dr. Told me I would have to have a bone density test done before she put me on the drug. I guess we all have to make our own choices. I'm glad it worked out for you.

I took it. I was tired for 5 years. Result: excellent prognosis. Clear for 8.5 years. I'm 73 now and have all my parts.

@cfetoday there is quite a difference between 14% and 8%. Respectfully, are you sure you don't want to try anastrazole or another aromatase inhibitor? Many of us had minor side effects. I found that if I walked more than 30 minutes, any joint pain eased.

Many of us have found that the manufacturer makes a difference. I tried anastrazole generic, then letrozole generic thinking the problem was anastrazole, but it was the fillers. I ended up doing brand name letrozole (Femara) and toward the end did find a generic that was fine.

I was 63-68 during treatment. I am 9 years out from a grade 3 invasive mixed cancer.

I had mild hair loss. My only issue was stomach problems but then I am prone to that. Very mild hot flashes living in florida didn’t help. I got through five years with little problems. I walked every morning 30 minutes big help with any joint pains which I never had. Keeping weight down was difficult Good luck I hsve been told it is the choice medication.

I had 3 lumpectomy's for DCIS. Just finishing radiation. They wanted me to take anastozole for 5 years. I am not going to take it as there are too many side effects. Bone loss, hot flashes, sleep problems. My chances for reoccurence have dropped to 14% taking the drug would drop it to 8%. With all those side effects and taking something for 5 years. Not worth it for me. I am 66 years old in good health. I just can't see taking a drug with so many side effects. It also can cause blood clots.

The same is true for Tamoxifen brands/fillers. I was fine, very mild side effects (annoying but in no way life altering) until one prescription was a different brand. Leg/foot cramps woke me 3-4 times a night, and night sweats & joint pains were crazy. After a week I was so sleep deprived I couldn’t think straight, so I reached out to my Oncologist. She had me stop taking & we would discuss in 8 weeks at my next appointment.
I did some research and there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that different brands can increase side effects. I had already filled the next prescription, which was the same one I was on before. After a 2 week break, tried the “old” brand, and back to very mild side effects.
The pharmacist was skeptical, but when I told her that I would only take this particular brand & would not pick up any other, she agreed to only order my preferred brand. She asked that I have my oncologist revise the prescription to reflect the specific brand in case insurance pushed back.
My oncologist was glad I was back on Tamoxifen, but also kind of skeptical since there aren’t any studies that prove this … she’s great & we had a nice conversation about how Tamoxifen for prevention after invasive BC hasn’t been studied beyond the standard 20mg dose.

I stayed I. Anastrazole Accord manufacturer for five years I am off for eight months. No more flashes. Less hair loss and best of all no stomach issues. Good luck there is light after the tunnel.

I too am ER+ and PR+ with 15% proliferation. I have been on Anastrozole for 2 months now with zero side effects. My oncologist said this drug is the one most tolerated by her patients. So far, I don’t have any problems with the drug.

I’m over 4 years on Anastrazole and have had no issues with it. I was post-menopausal however. I had ER+ PR+ breast cancer with lymph node involvement. My range of risk of recurrence is 17-38%. I look at it this way…use of an AI keeps me at the lower end of risk. Losing weight keeps me at the lower end of risk. Healthy eating ( upping protein, lowering carbs) keeps me at the lower end of risk. Hopefully you can take advantage of every possible thing that can lower your risk of recurrence. That way if one piece is truly impossible for you there will still be other actions in place to help reduce your risk of recurrence and keep you well. JMHO

I am also on Anastrozole and hair thinning with insomnia are my biggest issues. The drastically thinning hair is the hardest for me as well. Looking in the mirror is that constant reminder that I am not the same person I was before diagnosis in July 2022. I also have androgenic alopecia & frontal fibrosing Alopecia. This hair loss is all over my head. I do see my oncologist tomorrow and plan to ask if I can try another AI. Really discouraging, but then is this hair loss worth not being on an AI. For now my answer is no, but that could change if this hair loss doesn’t slow down.