Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Much kudos for doing pre-meds prep work. It has to make a difference in helping the body deal with a new drug. And gives you a sense of empowerment and positively facing the next step I'd think.

@madeler22 congratulations on your 1st month. I believe you are doing /did the right thing in being proactive with your health and knowing your body. This is so important as we move through the journey of medications that will possibly keep our cancer reoccurrence low. Stay strong! God Bless

I'm cross-posting this on another site here for those of us also concerned about bone loss. If the study is valid, vitamin D3 also has breast cancer benefits in addition to working with calcium in bones.

"1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol, the hormonally active vitamin D3 metabolite, is known to exhibit therapeutic effects against breast cancer, mainly by lowering the expression of estrogen receptors and aromatase activity."

To read the study, net search the title"Vitamin D Compounds PRI-2191 and PRI-2205 Enhance Anastrozole Activity in Human Breast Cancer Models"

My oncologist and I had a detailed conversation about concerns with taking Anastrozole, 6 weeks before I started the drug. (I had to finish radiation treatments first). Fortunately for me I have already been taking Calcium and D3 for several years and have had 2 DEXA scans prior to be being diagnosed, so the baseline was there. (I have osteopenia). I also started taking Collagen 3 months prior to starting the drug to help strengthen my hair. I also have been taking a cholesterol drug for about 18 months prior to diagnosis (mine is high genetically); and one final note, I already have a low WBC and have had it for at least 15 years, so my oncologist told me that since I've been checked for abnormalities and leukemia in the past and all my tests were negative, that I am just one of those people for whom a low WBC is 'my normal'.
Having prefaced all these areas for which I had concerns, I had my first month blood review and all my bloodwork was normal. I also have had no side effects to speak of, and my hair stylists told me just this week that I have new hair growth in my part (Go Collagen!). Fingers crossed that all the supplements I already had built up in the my system beforehand, with the addition of Collagen only, have helped to prevent sore joints, hair thinning, a lower white count, high cholesterol - all things that concerned me initially. Of course I'm only one month in and I have 4 years and 11 months to go - lol - but so far, so good. I also hope that adding some weight bearing exercises to my routine will help to strengthen my bones even more.
That's my story so far - as always my thoughts and prayers for everyone on their respective journeys as well.

I know you've read the many comments but just to reiterate for anyone else new to anastrozole, I'd make sure to have a DEXA scan (to monitor any subsequent changes in bone density) and cardiac workup (to monitor cholesterol). That way you have recent baseline numbers to compare any changes. And the tips elsewhere to stave off osteoporosis on those threads are great. You can offset some of the side effects while deriving the benefits from the aromatase inhibitor. And ditto on the thoughts and prayers for all of us on this unchosen journey.

Yes. Tamoxifen caused lots of hair loss AFTER I stopped. Along with debilitating side effects I had to stop after 9 mos of emotional and physical hell

I am having my first check up on March 23 also. Started Femora 3 weeks ago..like you, I am trying to not dwell on side effects though I do have some.

Hi. I was diagnosed with MBC at the beginning of this year. BC metastasized to bones. It is hormone+/HER2-. I am currently on Verzenio and Anastrazole with monthly Zometa. It's been only 1.5 months on Anastrazole and I am not experiencing much side effects. Zometa, on the other hand, causes significant bone pain and flu like symptoms. Taking tylenol helped with the bone pain the last time though. I had a DEXA scan to establish baseline.

I don't want to sidetrack this thread but I'd appreciate pointers to conversations with positive stories of MBC patients.
Thanks.

Hi. Other than concerns about side effects, bloodwork is done to check your phosphorus levels (I forget why…). Anastozole also affects your bone density. It depletes it because you are blocking estrogen. My oncologist had me go 6 months on the anastozole before introducing a medication to help bone loss. He chose Prolia because it is also used for people with bone cancer, so while helping your bone density, it is also a medication that reduces chances for metastasis of the breast cancer to your bones. (Not that it’s actually going to happen. It’s just “why not pick the medication that works for both?”) Prolia has its own side effects, so starting afterwards helps separate how the 2 medications are making you feel. I have friends who didn’t take anything for bones, but theirs may have been in better shape to begin with! I was already headed towards osteoporosis! Every doctor has their own system for treatment.

Always scary stuff to read when your journey taking a hormone blocker is just beginning. I’m a newbie taking Anastrozole (10 days in), so at this point I’m trying not to anticipate too much so I don’t make myself crazy in the process. I have my first bloodwork & followup on March 23rd, so until then I’m trying not to let it get into my head too much.
Thoughts and prayers to all those on their journey as well. 🙏💕