1. < Breast Cancer

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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bethab | @bethab | Aug 31, 2021
In reply to @cerwin "Hello. I’m having a tough time too. You said chance of recurrence for you is 25%,..." + (show)
@cerwin

Hello. I’m having a tough time too. You said chance of recurrence for you is 25%, but AI would cut it in half. So….is it worth gaining 12.5% more chance of non- recurrence, but dealing with bone loss, joint pain, depression, insomnia, GI issues and a very tough quality of life?

Just asking. It’s an individual decision for sure. Where did you get your percentage recurrence from? Thanks for sharing

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Hi! @cerwin Yes it’s a tough and personal decision. I have always tried to stay healthy, eat right and exercise regularly. I’ve been on a whole food plant based diet for 5 years. I’m also a personal trainer. I’ve never had to be on any medications. I was in total shock when I found my lump. My oncologist gave me my percentage. She said the percentage was higher because my tumor was 2 cm. I do not want to take the AI but I figured I would give them a try and if I didn’t have side effects then I would continue. So far I can’t tolerate any of them. I start a new one next week and if I have to stop taking them because of side effects I only have one other option, that’s tamoxifen. Not looking forward to it honestly!! I’m going to give it my best shot and if nothing works then so be it, It’s in Gods hands!! I hope you find something that works for you and many blessings to you! Stay strong 💕

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3 replies
cerwin | @cerwin | Aug 31, 2021
In reply to @bethab "Hello, @blue850! I tried Anastrozole and within 3 days I started having side effects and by..." + (show)
@bethab

Hello, @blue850! I tried Anastrozole and within 3 days I started having side effects and by day 10 my oncologist took me off of them because the side effects were so bad. I purposely did not read the side effects before I started them so not to make any up in my head. 🙂 I definitely had side effects. It took 3 weeks to feel better. Then I tried Exemestane (sp). Same thing happened. Not quite as bad but I did develop a really bad rash along with the other side effects. I’m now waiting for 2 weeks to get that out of my system so I can try something else. I would rather not take anything but my chances of my cancer coming back is 25% and the hormone blockers will cut that in half, so I’m going to do my best and try all my options. Good luck with yours. I pray you don’t have any side effects and you breeze right through it! 💕

Jump to this post

Hello. I’m having a tough time too. You said chance of recurrence for you is 25%, but AI would cut it in half. So….is it worth gaining 12.5% more chance of non- recurrence, but dealing with bone loss, joint pain, depression, insomnia, GI issues and a very tough quality of life?

Just asking. It’s an individual decision for sure. Where did you get your percentage recurrence from? Thanks for sharing

REPLY
1 reply
cerwin | @cerwin | Aug 25, 2021
In reply to @blue850 "Thank you cerwin for sharing this information. I think I am already feeling more sluggish then..." + (show)
@blue850

Thank you cerwin for sharing this information. I think I am already feeling more sluggish then normal, for past few days felt like taking a cat nap in the afternoon which has been quite some time since feeling that. Hopeful that part of it is an adjustment...hopeful. Thanks for the tip on the bloodwork. I was a bit surprised that providers in this area (Tampa Bay area of Florida) don't seem to feel more then the normal once a year on the bloodwork is necessary, whereas my old providers in New Jersey took blood work more frequently. But now that I am actually taking the Anastrozole, maybe that will change. I have a follow up with the prescriber in 3 months to see how I am tolerating it. Thank you for your prayers and good luck with your journey.

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Same to you💕

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sequoia | @sequoia | Aug 24, 2021

I’ve been on Anastrozole for 2 yrs next month. The only side effect I have (and maybe not the med, haven’t figured it out yet) is a bit of hip pain. The reason I say maybe not the med is I’m going to physical therapy for that and the hip pain had lessened quite a bit. It may be from the way I sit, exercises at the gym. I walk a few miles at least 5x a week. Like someone mentioned I did not read about side effects prior to starting anastrozole as I listen to my body. No one knows your body as well as you. I did stop the med for 3 weeks to see if hip got better. I know 3 weeks isn’t a lot of time but it did not improve but it has with PT. All the best to you.

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blue850 | @blue850 | Aug 24, 2021

so funny, I came from Dr. Costa at Moffitt. Send me your email if you are interested in talking off line.

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nikki727 | @nikki727 | Aug 24, 2021
In reply to @blue850 "nikki727 extremely pleased with Dr. J. Andrew Peterson at Florida Cancer Specialists. Very caring and comprehensive,..." + (show)
@blue850

nikki727 extremely pleased with Dr. J. Andrew Peterson at Florida Cancer Specialists. Very caring and comprehensive, looks at the whole picture, open and very sharing of data/statistics. Had to wait a while to get an appointment but worth the wait.

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Glad you are happy with him! I was previously at FL Cancer with Dr. Luong and then I switched to Dr Costa at Moffitt. God bless you on your journey!

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blue850 | @blue850 | Aug 24, 2021
In reply to @bethab "Hello, @blue850! I tried Anastrozole and within 3 days I started having side effects and by..." + (show)
@bethab

Hello, @blue850! I tried Anastrozole and within 3 days I started having side effects and by day 10 my oncologist took me off of them because the side effects were so bad. I purposely did not read the side effects before I started them so not to make any up in my head. 🙂 I definitely had side effects. It took 3 weeks to feel better. Then I tried Exemestane (sp). Same thing happened. Not quite as bad but I did develop a really bad rash along with the other side effects. I’m now waiting for 2 weeks to get that out of my system so I can try something else. I would rather not take anything but my chances of my cancer coming back is 25% and the hormone blockers will cut that in half, so I’m going to do my best and try all my options. Good luck with yours. I pray you don’t have any side effects and you breeze right through it! 💕

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Thank you @bethab . Sounds like it has been challenging for you and I wish you well with the next one you try. Hang in there! It has been 1 week for me and I would say mild side effects so far.

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blue850 | @blue850 | Aug 24, 2021
In reply to @nikki727 "Where do you go? I’m in the Tampa Bay Area also. I switched oncologists because I..." + (show)
@nikki727

Where do you go? I’m in the Tampa Bay Area also. I switched oncologists because I felt I wasn’t getting standard of care. I have MBC.

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nikki727 extremely pleased with Dr. J. Andrew Peterson at Florida Cancer Specialists. Very caring and comprehensive, looks at the whole picture, open and very sharing of data/statistics. Had to wait a while to get an appointment but worth the wait.

REPLY
1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Aug 24, 2021

I took Femara for 5 years and it wasn't bad at all- and I have bad reactions to many meds. Please don't decline an AI based on other people's experiences: at least try it. I had some hot flashes at first, and any joint pain went away with walking. You have to walk at least 45 minutes: things may hurt at first but by the end of the walk pain is gone. I had to go off at 5 years due to bones, but wish I could do 10 years.

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nikki727 | @nikki727 | Aug 24, 2021
In reply to @blue850 "Thank you cerwin for sharing this information. I think I am already feeling more sluggish then..." + (show)
@blue850

Thank you cerwin for sharing this information. I think I am already feeling more sluggish then normal, for past few days felt like taking a cat nap in the afternoon which has been quite some time since feeling that. Hopeful that part of it is an adjustment...hopeful. Thanks for the tip on the bloodwork. I was a bit surprised that providers in this area (Tampa Bay area of Florida) don't seem to feel more then the normal once a year on the bloodwork is necessary, whereas my old providers in New Jersey took blood work more frequently. But now that I am actually taking the Anastrozole, maybe that will change. I have a follow up with the prescriber in 3 months to see how I am tolerating it. Thank you for your prayers and good luck with your journey.

Jump to this post

Where do you go? I’m in the Tampa Bay Area also. I switched oncologists because I felt I wasn’t getting standard of care. I have MBC.

REPLY
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