Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Posted by tinalove @tinalove, Jan 31, 2016

I completed all treatments for breast cancer but now I am supposed to take hormone blocker, named anastrozole. im concerned about the side effects. Has anyone here taken it and did anyone have hair loss?

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anjalima | @anjalima | Mar 19, 2023

In reply to @jeanr3 "oh my, at 77, I worry enough about memory issues. Hope this isn't something I need..." + (show)

Not been an issue for me at all.

antnay | @antnay | Mar 18, 2023

In reply to @cindylb "Hello Samy I tried Tamoxifen when I was first diagnosed (when I was pre menopausal) and..." + (show)

@cindylb

Hello Samy
I tried Tamoxifen when I was first diagnosed (when I was pre menopausal) and my blood pressure, which is normally low shot up to really high levels and I had constant headaches. They took me off of that and 2 years later I had Stage 1 invasive cancer. Would the tamoxifen have stopped that? I'll never know. Following bi lateral mastectomy for Stage 1 invasive lobular I first tried Letrozole. I had severe depression (which is what was the worst for me), pain in my hands and wrists and knees almost immediately. I was on it two weeks when I developed Shingles (at age 59) and was quite ill from that. The doctors and I agreed that I should stop Letrozole and try Arimidex, which I did. Arimidex was just as bad, perhaps a little worse and after 3 weeks on it (including trying every other day) I had the usual symptoms and blood in my stools. At that point the doctors said I was 'lower risk' and the drugs were causing side effects that could be severe. Once I stopped the drugs I had no joint pain, no depression (except for the usual......I have cancer and this sucks) and my health improved dramatically.
At my last 6 month follow up (with a new oncologist) I brought up using the drugs again and he said, you are low risk and the side effects, for you, are not worth it. If you get a recurrence you will have to take them but for now, 3 1/2 years in, I am not using them.
I really didn't want to take the drugs because I'd read up on the side effects but I was willing to give them a try and see how I reacted because I sure don't want cancer. Many people will have side effects but you won't hear much from those who don't have side effects, they simply move on, so it's hard to judge. I am 61 now, so I was 56 when first diagnosed (5 years ago) and am 3 1/2 years out from the surgery.
I will say this...............it's overwhelming and physically and emotionally draining with breast cancer treatment. There is no rush to start the drugs I know of (?) If you are at that point and want to wait 3 months or so to regain your strength, ask your doctor if that would be ok? That way you can start at your strongest point and judge the pills then? I went right into the pills while I was still recovering from surgery and lymphedema and all sorts of stuff. That might have taxed my body as well.

When I was diagnosed, had surgery, etc........it all happened pretty fast. I didn't have much time to process so I was beat up really. I did consider my quality of life because I didn't want to feel sick for another 5 years because I hadn't felt sick at all prior to the diagnosis (I think that's often true of all of us). I was also concerned about having side effects like bone loss and then having to take pills for that, having a hear condition caused by the pills and then having to take pills for that, etc....it can be a cascade of pills and unfortunately I think that's how a lot of doctors approach this. Remember, an oncologist is there to treat and cure cancer and not all of them see the bigger picture of treating or curing the cancer and leaving the patient with osteoporosis, heart disease, etc..... Some do, but not all.
This is NOT an easy decision..........see if your doctors will allow you to process this for a while or give the pills a chance and we'll all keep our fingers crossed that you're one of the lucky ones with few if any side effects!!
Hugs

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Hi Cindy,
I am new to the forum so just seeing your story. I really appreciate you sharing your experience and hope that you are doing well.

anjalima | @anjalima | Mar 11, 2023

In reply to @jeanr3 "I will post also if I find out more. I have never had this problem before..." + (show)

I think I have read this from much earlier posts when I first noticed and became concerned. Maybe others will relate their recent experience with this also. 🌸

jeanr3 | @jeanr3 | Mar 11, 2023

In reply to @anjalima "I do have a bit more of an abdomen. Going to discuss it at my oncology..." + (show)

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

anjalima | @anjalima | Mar 11, 2023

In reply to @jeanr3 "I have been taking Anastrozole for 6 or 7 months. No real problems other than some..." + (show)

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

jeanr3 | @jeanr3 | Mar 11, 2023

In reply to @rosy54 "I was on Anastrazole for 5 yrs I never found a problem with side effects because..." + (show)

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

windyshores | @windyshores | Mar 11, 2023

In reply to @jeanr3 "I have been taking Anastrozole for 6 or 7 months. No real problems other than some..." + (show)

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

jeanr3 | @jeanr3 | Mar 11, 2023

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.

rosy54 | @rosy54 | Mar 10, 2023

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!💪🏼

anjalima | @anjalima | Mar 10, 2023

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 🌸