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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sandybainy1 | @sandybainy1 | Feb 2, 2023

In reply to @omer "What side effects do you have from letrozole?" + (show)

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.

omer | @omer | Feb 2, 2023

In reply to @sandybainy1 "I am also taking Letrazole and my side affects have been very minimal." + (show)

What side effects do you have from letrozole?

susie53 | @susie53 | Feb 2, 2023

In reply to @semurrey "Thanks for this suggestion! I start Letrozole next week as my oncologist likes to wait 2..." + (show)

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

anjalima | @anjalima | Feb 2, 2023

In reply to @windyshores "@semurray the Breast Cancer Index is done after 5 years of hormonal therapy. @anjalima I had..." + (show)

Thank you. That’s reassuring. 🌸

windyshores | @windyshores | Feb 1, 2023

@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.

anjalima | @anjalima | Feb 1, 2023

In reply to @semurrey "Thanks for this suggestion! I start Letrozole next week as my oncologist likes to wait 2..." + (show)

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. 🌸

segm | @semurrey | Feb 1, 2023

In reply to @windyshores "@marker I wanted to continue my aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, after 5 years but I did a..." + (show)

Thanks for this suggestion! I start Letrozole next week as my oncologist likes to wait 2 weeks post radiation. (ILC, 57 years, Stage 1, 1.8 cm, ER+). I've never heard of the Breast Cancer Index- I am scheduled to see nurse practitioner after being on Letrozole for 3 months. I'm anxious after reading side effects - I do have osteopenia - has anyone tried Glucosamine Chondroitin to help with bone/joint pain? I'm also taking 2000mg Vit D3 and trying to get 1500 mg Calcium daily.

sandybainy1 | @sandybainy1 | Feb 1, 2023

I am also taking Letrazole and my side affects have been very minimal.

windyshores | @windyshores | Jan 31, 2023

In reply to @windyshores "@marker I wanted to continue my aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, after 5 years but I did a..." + (show)

Just adding I would have been so happy to continue taking letrozole. I felt safe while on it.

As for side effects: I am helping a friend who has to do chemo. She would be so grateful to "just" do hormonal meds.

windyshores | @windyshores | Jan 30, 2023

In reply to @marker "My risk level after 5 years of taking Anastrozole my risk level is 11%. Advised to..." + (show)

@marker I wanted to continue my aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, after 5 years but I did a test called the Breast Cancer Index, which tells you two thing: risk level and whether extended meds are of benefit.

I got high risk, but no benefit from further meds.

Maybe ask your doc about this test. I found it myself and my doc is now using it and it is also now in the NCCN guidelines.