Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

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

Thank you. That’s reassuring. 🌸

@semurray the Breast Cancer Index is done after 5 years of hormonal therapy.

@anjalima I had a dip in bone density after one year of letrozole, but after that it eased quite a bit. Similar to the drop after menopause.

I’m taking Anastrozole ( one of the three AInhibitors) now in month 10. I was worried about side effects but worried about cancer recurrence much more!

Not everyone has the side effects listed. I think it’s always good to try if your health team recommends AI treatment.

I have very mild joint discomfort… which I can alleviate with stretches, yoga and walking. I don’t take a joint supplement.

At 72 some joint discomfort is not completely unusual. I also have mild osteopenia in hips SO, I am doing a repeat DEXA at 12 mos ( vs 24) to monitor and mitigate any dips in bone health ( which is fairly common, but not a given, on these meds). I do also take 1000-2000 mg D3, K2, and get almost all calcium from food. I do supplement 200 mg calcium malate.

It’s definitely a process and a journey. So glad to be part of this helpful informative group. Hope this is helpful to you. Let us know how it works out for you. 🌸