Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I will post also if I find out more. I have never had this problem before even after having children.

I do have a bit more of an abdomen. Going to discuss it at my oncology appt early April. I’ll post.

oh my, at 77, I worry enough about memory issues. Hope this isn't something I need to think about.

@jeanr3 love this: "By the way a floppy stomach is fine over cancer."

I have been taking Anastrozole for 6 or 7 months. No real problems other than some hot flashes. However I have gained weight in my stomach. I have always been thinish and am 77. I go to the gym 3 times a week. Is weight gain due to age or meds. Anyone else had a problem with this. Thanks to all for hugs. Have a blessed day. By the way a floppy stomach is fine over cancer.

I agree 100% to your comments. I actually stayed on it for 6 yrs and had to get off it ( not recommended after 5 yrs) I felt a little afraid getting off of it. I felt it was my protection net against blocking my estrogen levels. My doctor did say being on it for as long as was, I’m still well protected for years coming.
My feelings are if it helps ward off the culprit causing the cancer it’s well worth trying anything that gave me some hope. There’s been a lot of us who have been through it ( or going thru it) all with different symptoms but……
If it’s going to help suppress your cancer, I feel it’s worth the risk taking and dealing with the side effects that aren’t causing you more distress 👍
Hang in there!💪🏼

I was extremely worried and stressed about taking AI’s as I am sensitive and reactive to medication. But I was more worried about breast cancer!

I am at just about one year on Anastrozole. I’ve had mild side effects like joint stiffness ( especially my hips) that I work out by movement like walking, hiking and yoga . My bigger concerns were the unseen side effects of heightened cholesterol and/or bone loss . So I decided to pay for my own DEXA at one year ( my insurance allows every 2years ) to stay on top of any problems brewing. My bone density has remained completely steady at year one ( a .1 decrease in one hip and a .1 increase in the other). Spine lost .1 at L4. Also my already somewhat elevated cholesterol has remained steady.

I have engaged in mitigation strategies of diet and exercise as well as supplements D3, K2, and food based calcium AND have reduced red meat to 1-2 times a month. Almost zero processed food… which is loaded with salt ( a bone killer) .

There are some things we can do to mitigate. Now I can take the Anastrozole in peace each night… and keep on mitigating!

So, for those who are concerned about side effects … you don’t know if you will have them until you test it out. Many women don’t have difficulties on these meds. As a daily pill, with a 50 hour half life, you can always stop.

So if your doc feels that it would be beneficial for you to be on an aromatase inhibitor it’s because the main side effect is to reduce the incidence of breast cancer. I suggest you give it a try before rejecting it outright; it just might really be OK for you. I hope it is!

Blessings on the journey 🌸

I was on Anastrazole for
5 yrs I never found a problem with side effects because of memory issues I was taken off it ( usually after 5 yrs normally taken off )

Keep on Keeping on. I, like you was on Anastrozole and I took for 2 1/2 yrs. Like you, the doctors prescribing the meds just leave you paddling your own canoe. (I love that analogy) I did ‘OK’ for 2 years, ignoring side effects and trying everything to feel better and not have hip pain. I felt 80 yrs old and I’m not That Old. 🤣. O couldn’t get in & out of the car without help. I stopped the med. It took about 5 months for me for me to get to feeling like my energetic self w/o a fog over my entire body. I did 2 1/2 yrs of meds. Better than nothing. I pray you can continue w/ med, it may be helpful. Many women are able to finish out the 5 years. Blessings to them and actually to all of us! Positive vibes to you. 💪🏼

I am in year 2 of 5 years enduring Anastrozole. There are side effects but they seem to be very varied. Mine didn’t manifest until the second year

As I have written before - my greatest frustration was understanding, discussing and finding possibilities for dealing with side effects. There is no one size fits all here. Each side effects requires its own attention. AND it rarely involved Tylenol and Bengay but hallelujah if that worked. I worked my own issues out when assistance from those prescribing Anastrozole left me paddling my own canoe.
One by one with research and forums such as this I was able to address most of my issues. I wanted to hopefully keep this option for the 5 years prescribed and I will continue to work on that

If there is a fly in this prescribed AI ointment it might not be the chemistry of this pill, but rather in the emotional understanding of how this will effect the person taking it! The prescribers become a gateway side effect when the value of what they are offering as extensions of our life as a whole must encompass our daily life as we live it day-to-day.
Ever onward!!