Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I took Anastrozole for 5 years. I stopped 2 months ago, and I am still loosing hair. I have thick hair, but it is becoming more noticeable especially in the crown of my head. I am wondering when or if it will stop as well. Does anyone have any input?

I have been taking arimidex for 8 months since dx of lobular carcinoma. I have many side effects, including hair thinning. Has anyone else experienced this? Will I eventually lose it all?

@dianamiracle, wow it looks like auto-correct made some interesting changes to some of the words in your text.
stomp tase inhibitors, obvious was supposed to be aromatase inhibitors, but "galoshes?" Is that supposed to be goserelin (Zoladex) perhaps? Or a new Minnesota winter phenomenon? 😉

I 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.

I 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?

@kathyomaha55
I am 68 now and went off anastrozole after a short periods of time and letrozole due to the severe bone pain. My doctor let me take a break and then started me on exemestane...what a difference. I can now walk without severe pain in feet and ankle, elbows, hands, etc. I have recently switched from taking it at night and now take it in the morning. I was having insomnia after sleeping 2-3 hours. Now that I am taking it in the morning, I sleep 7-8 hours a night...hoping that will keep up! I also go to therapeutic water exercise twice weekly and find this helps with arthritic pain.