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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@auntieoakley

Unfortunately yes. I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis 3 yrs. ago and still have it today. I did get some relief from taping for a period. I did all the exercises and even got the injections which lasted about 6 months. I took endocrine therapies for quite a few years, over 10. Interestingly this started as well as a few other annoying issues after I quit taking it. I always like to say, “I am still here to complain about it”.
Have any of you tried anything, that seemed to help? Has anyone tried any shoe inserts?

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I have tried many inserts and a copper arch bands. All with some help. I also do stretches and strengthening exercises for my feet.

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@mssewest

How are you doing today? Are you on any other AI or have an my reoccurrences? I pray not.

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I’m doing quite well. I’m now four years cancer free. I experienced lower lumbar area back pain which was a red flag. I had bone scan this fall and was negative for ca…thank heavens!
We plan to leave for Texas next week to enjoy the winter in a warmer climate.
Thanks for your inquiry!

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I am so happy for you that you’re all done !!!! I pray to God Arimidex is less toxic for me as I also want to be around to complain about it too !!!!! In the meantime No more heels for me. The podiatrist has offos shoes in his office and that’s all I wear. Not sexy but soooooo comfy though the flip flop are cute. My new normal

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@brinacarmen

YES !!!!!! Meeeeee!! I was on tamoxifen for 9 mos and one day I felt like I had small golf balls on balls of foot. I can’t wear heels any more or walk barefoot in my apt. Went to podiatrist and he diagnosed me with metatarsalgia , finally after too many side effects , dr took me off. We might try something new in January I am still in pain

Jump to this post

Unfortunately yes. I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis 3 yrs. ago and still have it today. I did get some relief from taping for a period. I did all the exercises and even got the injections which lasted about 6 months. I took endocrine therapies for quite a few years, over 10. Interestingly this started as well as a few other annoying issues after I quit taking it. I always like to say, “I am still here to complain about it”.
Have any of you tried anything, that seemed to help? Has anyone tried any shoe inserts?

REPLY
@brinacarmen

YES !!!!!! Meeeeee!! I was on tamoxifen for 9 mos and one day I felt like I had small golf balls on balls of foot. I can’t wear heels any more or walk barefoot in my apt. Went to podiatrist and he diagnosed me with metatarsalgia , finally after too many side effects , dr took me off. We might try something new in January I am still in pain

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Oh sorry to hear that and hope it gets better now that you're taking a med break. I guess I will get a podiatrist appointment since my home remedies aren't cutting it. Thanks for sharing your experience.

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@blue850

Hi. Any runners out there on Anastrozole? Been running for years, decades, but stopped for a few months. Started training for a race and quickly developed very bad plantar fasciitis and other foot pain too, haven't gone to podiatrist yet but feels like could be bone related too. It's been about a month and still bothersome. Wondering if possible foot bones were weakened from Anastrozole but only been taking about 4 mo. Doesn't help that I gained about 10 lbs in last 2 years! Any one else have foot issues post med ? Thanks.

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I had similar but am not a runner. I’m an outside Walker or treadmill Walker but did it regularly 3-4 times a week. After 5 months on Anastrozole ( started July 2020, metastasis to my bones) I had the same
Thing, feel like plantars fasciitis on my left foot. It is finally better after 10 months but I still have some pain from time to time. Now it is starting on my right foot along the side (different position on the foot but same pain) Ugg! I were Crocs instead of slipper in the house and running shoes with a very cushioned insole and that makes a big difference. I also had some hair loss (I think one person who responded to your message spoke about hair loss) and now in the past three months it is starting to regrow and I have all these new baby hairs so that is encouraging. I think all of those side effects unfortunately are normal. As long as the medication’s are doing what they need to do, and I pray they are, the rest I will manage and I’m sure you were all the same. Stay strong ladies you are warriors!

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@blue850

Hi. Any runners out there on Anastrozole? Been running for years, decades, but stopped for a few months. Started training for a race and quickly developed very bad plantar fasciitis and other foot pain too, haven't gone to podiatrist yet but feels like could be bone related too. It's been about a month and still bothersome. Wondering if possible foot bones were weakened from Anastrozole but only been taking about 4 mo. Doesn't help that I gained about 10 lbs in last 2 years! Any one else have foot issues post med ? Thanks.

Jump to this post

YES !!!!!! Meeeeee!! I was on tamoxifen for 9 mos and one day I felt like I had small golf balls on balls of foot. I can’t wear heels any more or walk barefoot in my apt. Went to podiatrist and he diagnosed me with metatarsalgia , finally after too many side effects , dr took me off. We might try something new in January I am still in pain

REPLY

Hi. Any runners out there on Anastrozole? Been running for years, decades, but stopped for a few months. Started training for a race and quickly developed very bad plantar fasciitis and other foot pain too, haven't gone to podiatrist yet but feels like could be bone related too. It's been about a month and still bothersome. Wondering if possible foot bones were weakened from Anastrozole but only been taking about 4 mo. Doesn't help that I gained about 10 lbs in last 2 years! Any one else have foot issues post med ? Thanks.

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@wandering

I took anastrozole for almost 3 years before it stopped working for me. My oncologist put me on Tums. Tums are high in calcium which I assume is why he put me on that. I am off the anasrozole but continue with the Tums.

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How are you doing today? Are you on any other AI or have an my reoccurrences? I pray not.

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I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in August of 2017. One sentinel node was involved and 2 axillary nodes. I had a right mastectomy and all axillary nodes were removed. Radiation was proton beam therapy over a three week course. Oncotype testing gave me a “1” rating which is extremely low therefore chemo was not necessary.
I started taking Arimidex or Anastrozole since December 2017 and side effects have been mild. My main complaint has been fatigue however I had 4 surgeries in 2 years which I felt factored in to the equation. I had frequent hot flashes which have subsided. I’ve had normal hair loss which it sounds may be a bit unusual. Fatigue is my main complaint but I’m willing to take Anastrozole if it will help me stay cancer free

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