Connect
Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole
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?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.
Connect
I’m glad that you had another option. Wishing you the very best.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI could not take any stomp tase inhibitors. The pain and side effects were too intense and I was too close to going to the er. Mayo recommended galoshes, which is a monthly injection - one shot in each buttock. The only side effect is the day I receive the shot I am very fatigued and sleep in the afternoon. My body seems to be doing well on this. It is different for everyone, but worth asking about
@kathyomaha55
Kathy - I don't know if this will help. A cousin is on anastrozole and purchased some sort of "copper" gloves that she wears at bedtime and says that helps with the hand pain. I never tried that while on anastrozole because my heels, elbows, hands, spine, etc., were so greatly affected so I went off that as well as having horrendous headaches. I next tried letrozole - no headaches but the bone pain was bad. Have been on exemestane now for 3 months and can say it is not so bad, just some bone aches although not like with the other two types of pills and manageable - when it gets too bad then I take some ibuprofen. I was taking the pill at night to avoid any side effects but wound up with insomnia and now that I have switched to taking in the morning, not really having that problem. I do have some hot flashes, but they are not too bad - I just try to dress in layers and that works for me.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI just started Exemestane like 6 weeks ago. What were the side effects you had - if you don't mind me asking. I was on Anastrozole previously like for 11 months. My hands hurt so much it was unbearable.
Hi Trixie, I've posted several times about my bad experience with Anastrozole. I then went on Exemestane and had some negative side effects. Currently I'm taking a break from all the AIs and am scheduled to start Tamoxifen in January. I'm 75 and I'm very worried about blood clots with that drug, though. Does anyone have experience with Tamoxifen or have any credible information about the possible side effects?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI hope you see a difference. I was on Leterzole and had same problem. I even had a cognitive test, I though maybe I had start of dementia. Been off for 2 weeks and huge improvement. I start this weekend on exemestane, hoping do not have same problem.
Everyone reacts differently to AI, I have had no joint pain, but the fatigue and cognitive issues caused me problems. See discussion topic on Chemo Brain for more info: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cancer-related-brain-fog/
Laurie
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI am on that medicine and now the Dr said to stop for three weeks because I have noticed my memory and concentration has gotten very bad then we will try a different med
I met a lady who has severe Lymphodema on her left arm - she said she is always vigilant as any slight injury, causes her severe cellulitis. She is also a BC survivor - but they took out 29 of her 30 lymph nodes on that arm, like 15 years ago. So she still has problems. All of her nodes were negative - but maybe that's what they did back then. Seems like the surgeon was crazy to me. Good luck & she was wearing a compression sleeve.
@charon @cindylb
I did have lymphedema, although atypical where it was a clogged vein all the way to my wrist. My doctor referred me to a physical therapist that specialized in lymphedema and was great. It was quite a painful process with about 6-8 follow up visits where she had to pull and strip that vein but finally it is unclogged and the expectation is that this won't happen again. I also follow the physical therapist's exercise program. I was ready to purchase a compression sleeve, but was advised that those can also kick off lymphedema for someone that doesn't have it. I do have a gardening sleeve I wear for outdoors for protection as one little nick can start an infection. I think the main thing here is to be ever vigilent.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI haven’t had that happen, but it is precisely the kind of problem that I’m on constant vigilance about. I am 3 years post-bilateral mastectomy— congratulations on your 4 years! My cancer surgeon only reluctantly signed a referral to a lymphedema therapist because he said only about 20% of his patients develop lymphedema. 🤨 And I changed primary care physicians because one of the people on her staff literally argued with me when I said “no BP cuff” on my affected arm!
I do work with my lymph therapist on risk reduction... for example, I wear (Solidea low compression) sleeves anytime I do anything that might stress my (also left) arm (and I keep spare sleeves in my purse and car for unexpected “opportunities“), I do MLD massage on myself, I carry antibiotic cream and bandages at all times to put on any little nick or cut. I had 20 lymph nodes removed. I am taking your struggle to heart. Good luck! I’ll keep thinking of you.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions