Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Thank you@nataliehope. Am going to start on indole 3 and myomin. Eliminated all dairy and sugars. Have been juicing but was so sick from the exemestane that I had no strength to juice and no appetite to eat. It’s been five days since I am pharma free and very slowly starting to feel a bit better. I am lucky my doctor is supporting me.

There is an incredibly long list of natural substances that have been tested for their estrogen inhibiting qualities. Just scrolling through this journal article made my head spin:
- Natural Products as Aromatase Inhibitors https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3074486/

@nataliehope, I agree that anyone who is considering a non-synthetic aromatase inhibitor that they talk to someone qualified in Integrative Cancer Care specifically. Here's more information about integrative medicine and cancer care at Mayo for example:
- Integrative medicine https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/complementary-alternative-medicine/about/pac-20393581

There are a lot of natural aromatase inhibitors that actually help heal your system not poison it, please look into estrohalt and dim. I would also seek an integrative dr who wants to heal and cure you from the dis-ease not fill your body with poisons that will cause more symptoms and illnesses. Detox, eat fruits and vegetables, cut out gluten and dairy. But a juicer and juice fruit - most important to get the lymphatic system moving and clearing your body of waste.

@tammyp
I'm confused. Letrazole is the generic name for Femara. Might you have been switched to something else like exemestane or anastrozole?

@tammyp
Tammy, Femara and letrozole are one and the same. I hope you can talk to your oncologist to find out more. I was started with anastrozole (Arimidex) which was horrendous, then to letrozole (Femara) which wasn't quite as bad but still not well tolerated, and now have been on exemestane (Aromasin) which, for me, has relatively few problems. I do get "heat bombs" at times but not too severe; I had surgical menopause at age 44 so I see this as not quite as bad as that time and I am now 69. I also awaken a couple of times during the night. What I have found that daily walking seems to help with aches and pains. So please don't give up and talk to your oncologist about making a switch in your aromatase inhibitor. Hoping for better times ahead for you.

I was on Letrazole for over a year. I experienced excruciating pain and swelling fro the medication. Instead of lessening with time, it got worse. I was switched to Femara in May. I still experience pain. It isn't as intense. My fingers are extremely painful due to changes in flexibility caused by Letrazole. Please know, everyone is different. I know people who had no side effects to those that were much worse than mine. Only you are able to determine how you're effected.

Thanks so much! I guess thin wispy hair is a better option than the b/c!

Congratulations for successfully completing treatment!! That gives hope to all of us!

I just completed five years on anastrozole. My doctor said I can go off of it. I experienced hair thinning and it is very wispy and dry no matter what I use to control it. I'm hoping to see some improvement but time will tell. I'm thinking of take Biotin supplement but want to discuss with my doctor before I do.

I definitely experienced hair thinning and my hair even with conditioners is extremely dry and fly away. I have recently completed 5 years of Anastrozole and was wondering if anyone experienced their hair getting a little better after stopping? I'm sure it will never be as it was as I'm older now but one can hope. Thanks!