Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Thank you for your encouraging words❤️

I was started on Arimidex in September 2019 and it started out ok but then I started having continuous UTI’s.
I talked to my oncologist about it and he made me look stupid when he said it had nothing to do with the medication.
I thought I would stop it to see if the UTI’s stopped and they did so I haven’t taken it for about 3 years.
If my cancer returns then it returns.
I started on Femara at first in July 2019 and I ached all over so my oncologist switched it to Arimidex.
I hope and pray you do well while taking it.

I have been on Anastrozole since May 2022. My problem now is my hair. It hasn’t gotten any thinner but in the last month it has gone wild! It is now very curly in the back above my collar but everywhere else it’s just coarse and wild. I take biotin-maybe too much? I was thinking perhaps it’s the lack of estrogen? I know I’m whining but it just feels like one more thing to deal with. Any others have this happen? Thanks for listening.

Good luck with that nasty Anastozole! It’ll be 5 years that I’ve had to be on it this August. Can’t wait to go off it, although my Dr said new information shows it’s best to stay on it for 7 to 10 years! It’s cause severe osteoporosis, affected my teeth beyond! Gave me blood clots to where I have to be on blood thinners for life! Also made my hair keep falling out & wrinkles!!!

I had no chemo and am just now completing my 5 years of letrozole. I’m T2bN0M0, 9 mm IDC, ER + HER2- , Quadrantectomy plus 30 days radiation.

Letrozole did cause bone loss, for me cognitive function decline, and some arthalgias but none of the above discouraged me from completing the 5 years.

I know with those that have chemo they do or can provide brief breaks to lessen the side effects. I’m curious, how did you do a half dose letrozole?
1 pill every other day or split the pill? I know splitting is NOT recommended but I did it for the first 3 months and then the whole pill for the remaining 4.9 years.

I’m 65 now so perhaps why my side effects are tolerable.

Good luck to you.

I was on Letrozole for 9 months w/only hot flashes. (Oncologist #1). Off for chemo and radiation and onc #2 put me on Anastrozole. Within 6 months I was having joint pain and at 12 months barely able to do stairs or get up and down from seated position. Onc #3 switched me to Letrozole at half dose and I added a collagen supplement. Joint pain gone except for occasional twinge. I had a 30 day break to try to determine side effects. I noticed definite mood improvement, less insomnia (although it's better than before break), cognitive function, flashes improved. I also believe Letrozole has caused minor hair thinning, but 30 days won't show that. After reading other comments here, I want to monitor other possible side effects when oncologist approves next 30 day break. He said it was possible to take a break perhaps every 6 months. I'm 2 1/2 years in, so I imagine next break will depend on my next 6 month check-up.

I’ve been taking it for 6 months. Occasional hot flashes, I have achey joints anyway so I can’t really contribute that discomfort to the medication.

The only side effects I have had is some joint pain. It is once in awhile. Maybe once a month. I can take an aleve and it takes it away. Other than that nothing else . No heat flashes or other effects. I hope this helps you. I also take my Letrazole about 5-7 pm every evening.

What side effects do you have from letrozole?

I have stage 4 metastized breadt cancer er snd or positive. I have been using joint ease which contains chondritin, msm, glucosimine and tumeric fir a few years. Wirks very well. Does not interfere with iBrance and letrozole even with the tumeric