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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char81 | @char81 | Jul 12, 2021
In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @susanao1. Great to add another experience to this discussion. You are right that each person..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Welcome @susanao1. Great to add another experience to this discussion.
You are right that each person has to take into their particular circumstances when weighing the pros and cons of treatment against the side effects and quality of life. Age and general health are also factors to be considered.
We look forward to getting to know a bit more about you.

@cautiousoptimism @tinalove @grandma41 @luladavis @leemiller @maureenkarras will you join me in welcoming Susan?

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Hello everyone
I’m new here. Dx with Stage 2A Grade 1 - surgery was 6 months ago, partial mastectomy, reduction and lift. No node involvement, oncotype 12 and pathology suggests non agressive cancer. I’m now on AI for 5 years- and started with Letrozole. After 3 months on it, significant symptoms of aching fingers and feet, numbness in hands and right foot. Some hair thinning, mild hot flashes… I had to stop at my oncologist’s suggestion to take a break and try another AI. I’m now on week 3 of exemestane - and still have achy tingling hands.
I’m exercising daily, yoga twice a week … fighting weight gain.
I’ve started taking tart cherry concentrate - there is a study I can post here that showed statistically significant improvement in some common AI sx using tart cherry.
Best wishes to everyone on this journey!

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1 reply
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Jul 11, 2021
In reply to @omega20 "Thank you do much for the encouragement. Are your infusions every six months? Are infusions 15..." + (show)
@omega20

Thank you do much for the encouragement. Are your infusions every six months? Are infusions 15 minutes or 30 minutes long? Thank you.

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Yes they are every six months. I would say maybe 20 to 30 minutes. They do add some saline. I do pre and post hydrate with a little extra water as well. Do they have you scheduled yet?

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omega20 | @omega20 | Jul 11, 2021
In reply to @auntieoakley "There is another discussion, I just visited about this very topic. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/zometa-infusions/ For me Zometa just..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

There is another discussion, I just visited about this very topic.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/zometa-infusions/
For me Zometa just means I have a bit of a drive and lunch at my favorite Italian. No side effects involved.

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Thank you do much for the encouragement. Are your infusions every six months? Are infusions 15 minutes or 30 minutes long? Thank you.

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1 reply
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Jul 9, 2021
In reply to @omega20 "I am taking anastrozole (breast cancer lumpectomy and now oncologist wants me to take Zometa for..." + (show)
@omega20

I am taking anastrozole (breast cancer lumpectomy and now oncologist wants me to take Zometa for osteoporosis (left hip lumbar neck 3.1). This will be by infusion starting September 3, 2021. Can anyone share their experience with this drug. The anastrozole has been a relatively positive experience and I do hate to'"rock the boat".

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There is another discussion, I just visited about this very topic.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/zometa-infusions/
For me Zometa just means I have a bit of a drive and lunch at my favorite Italian. No side effects involved.

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1 reply
omega20 | @omega20 | Jul 9, 2021

I am taking anastrozole (breast cancer lumpectomy and now oncologist wants me to take Zometa for osteoporosis (left hip lumbar neck 3.1). This will be by infusion starting September 3, 2021. Can anyone share their experience with this drug. The anastrozole has been a relatively positive experience and I do hate to'"rock the boat".

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1 reply
sequoia | @sequoia | Jul 8, 2021
In reply to @sequoia "Thank you. I’ll talk w/ my oncologist" + (show)
@sequoia

Thank you. I’ll talk w/ my oncologist

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I had an appointment with a PA that specializes in hormones. I did a consult w/ her. I gave her my history etc. She told me that .<10 was good, but understood me wanting a number. She recommended a Saliva Test. This test gives specific numbers. Of course insurance doesn’t pay for the test. $45 but I think it will be worth it. Not surprising to me - there is no correlation between the blood estrogen test snd the saliva test - so can’t do a comparison 🤷‍♀️ OBTW, I still have not received a call from my oncologist regarding the blood test taken on 6/24/21. That is just not right!

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sequoia | @sequoia | Jul 5, 2021
In reply to @jejones "My experience is that they won't tell you any number lower then <10 on either of..." + (show)
@jejones

My experience is that they won't tell you any number lower then <10 on either of these... I found that frustrating, but my oncologist seemed to be satisfied with these numbers. Perhaps you will have better information from your care team.

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Thank you. I’ll talk w/ my oncologist

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jejones | @jejones | Jul 5, 2021
In reply to @sequoia "The results in my portal show Estrone (LC/MS/MS). <10 pg/mL Estradiol Ultrasensative (LC/MS/MS). <10 pg/mL I..." + (show)
@sequoia

The results in my portal show
Estrone (LC/MS/MS). <10 pg/mL
Estradiol Ultrasensative (LC/MS/MS). <10 pg/mL
I do not know what these mean and my oncologist hadn’t called me. I need to call him.
Any info from you or others would be helpful. TIA

Jump to this post

My experience is that they won't tell you any number lower then <10 on either of these... I found that frustrating, but my oncologist seemed to be satisfied with these numbers. Perhaps you will have better information from your care team.

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1 reply
sequoia | @sequoia | Jul 5, 2021
In reply to @sandyrob "Hello sequoia..... what was the outcome of June 24 test?" + (show)
@sandyrob

Hello sequoia..... what was the outcome of June 24 test?

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The results in my portal show
Estrone (LC/MS/MS). <10 pg/mL
Estradiol Ultrasensative (LC/MS/MS). <10 pg/mL
I do not know what these mean and my oncologist hadn’t called me. I need to call him.
Any info from you or others would be helpful. TIA

REPLY
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