Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

I have been an active member of this discussion for quite a while and so I thought I'd share here a new complication I am experiencing with my breast cancer 'recovery'. First, yesterday was my four year anniversary of my bi lateral mastectomy and I'll have my check up in December and hope that I am four years cancer free.....that's the good news! Unfortunately a little over two weeks ago I got cellulitis in my left hand (from a tiny, itty bitty cut) and I went into sepsis. I was hospitalized for 6 days on IV antibiotics and released on a long term IV antibiotic. I am allergic to antibiotics, so it's been a huge challenge. Every oral antibiotic they add to help my recovery (which is slow at best to kill the infection) has sent me to the ER with an allergic reaction.
The cellulitis is in the left arm that had some very mild lymphodema (that the doctors were very slow to acknowledge due to the fact that only one lymph node was removed during surgery). I thought I had the lymphodema in decent control after a scar revision surgery 3 years ago, but I think maybe not.
Anyone experience cellulitis or sepsis from lymphodema or? I'm finding it hard to get more information or support (and the doctors are of course focused on killing the infection and struggling somewhat). Looking for input wherever I might find it. Thanks!

i was on anastrazole for 5 days and Mayo had me stop it completely the side effects were very severe. i was quite nervous about taking other aromotase inhibitors because my reactions were so severe. They started me this year on Faslodex, which is a monthly shot. thus far my reaction is fatigue the day of the shot and a sore tush as it is a thick shot. tylenol helps to relieve the pain and my tush only hurts for a day or two. somewhat new on the market, but it works for me. upside is it only once a month. downside is that as i am so sensitive to estrogen that i must get it every 28 - 30 days. for those of you who take aromotase inhibitors it may be worth looking into this if your side effects are not tolerable.

Thanks for sharing about your journey. As you will know from this group there are four or five options for estrogen blockers, so i hope you can find one that works for you. Please keep us posted. Denise

Thank you for the update and your good news. Please keep us posted about your bone scan. I am just seven months on Anastrazole. You give me hope!

@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.

Thank you Kathy.

I wish you all the best of luck making this decision. After 3 weeks on Exemestane, my hands feel better. (so It's been 4 weeks since I took Anastrozole). They also told me 5 to 10 years on the drugs. But I'm only 64 now & just passed my 1 year mark. I hope the doctor has a frank talk with you about your side effects and your chances of recurrence. You have to trust them, even though it's scary.

I was on Arimidex for over a year and a half, and finally the side effects became intolerable for me. I understand this is not true for everyone. After 9 weeks off the Arimidex, my Oncologist switched me to Exemestane . After 2 weeks, the side effects of the Exemestane became similar to the Arimidex. Again I'm taking a month's break and have an appointment with my Oncologist in December. I'm 75 and trying to decide if I want to stop the drugs altogether or try Tamoxifen. I have osteopenia and moderate to severe arthritis in multiple places. I'm hoping my Oncologist can help me with my decision.

I have just returned from my 6 year post op appointment. I had a clear mammogram ! I initially was going to talk about coming off the Tamoxifen as I have now been on it 6 years. My worry was it would affect my bone density. At my appointment I learned that contrary to my belief, Tamoxifen can help prevent bone loss. The standard of care has been 5 years but there seems to be evidence now that 10 years of therapy is better. For that reason I have decided to remain on the Tamoxifen. I am fortunate that I really have no symptoms or side effects except possibly some hair thinning which may or may not be related to the drug. I will be 68 in December and there have been family members that had thinning hair as they grew older. My daughter is an NP and says "stay on the Tamoxifen" and get a wig if you have to ! Lol I think she wants me around a few more years. I will be having a bone density in January and will be anxious to see the results. I had mild osteopenia in my spine only before so hoping I have not had any increases of bone loss.

I also read a study that Fosamax makes the bones MORE brittle - so you are at higher risk of breaking bones! I'd avoid that too.