Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

@kathyomaha55 I did 20 radiation only, my score was 19. Because we had so much breast cancer in family (all 5 maternal great aunts had but in their later years) and the mutation and I am NOT taking any cancer meds (terrible side effects), I believe my oncologist is playing it safe? I just changed oncologist from Sanford Sioux Falls, he called me morbidly obese and weak and I think he was upset I did not want to be a part of his research study. So, my new oncologist is so different and open. He even said my cancer was so close to stage 0. I am going through Avera cancer center

@kathyomaha55
First tumor, Stage 2B metastatic ductal carcinoma, 3 out of 7 lymph nodes positive and 1 lymph node eroding into lymphatics. Second tumor, Stage 3 with neuroendocrine differentiation found on MRI breast in same breast as first tumor but opposite location. I will require PET scans every 6 months to be sure there is no spread of tumor to any organs or bone. Mammograms every 6 months as some activity on the latest and hoping it will just be fat necrosis from radiation effect.

Mine was all the same except I had 5 lymph nodes taken. NO hysterectomy. My onco type score was 22. No chemo , just radiation. You should ask why the checkups will go past 3 yrs? BTW I did not get a repeat MRI. Just Mammogram at 1 year. I go to University of Nebraska Medical Center.

@kathyomaha55 I was stage 1 IDC
2 lymph nodes out and clear, marginal tissue clear, Er and Pr positive, HERS negative, and had a hysterectomy because my tumor was oncotyped and found to have a RAD51C (I think) mutation.

What stage was your tumor - if you don't mind me asking. I'm getting 6 month check ups - but only for 3 years. I was stage 1 IDC.

@francine6829 and @sparklegram my oncologist has me have a mammy + ultrasound every year and a mri with contrast every year. So every 6 months I'm getting a checkup. I asked him for how long and he said the rest of my life...

After 2.5 years on Arimidex my neck started hurting a lot - it's been touchy for several years so this was not brand new, but more intense and worse on the right side. My Oncologist ordered an MRI which showed (in my doctor's words) "a ton of arthritis", 2 herniated discs, and bone spurs on facet joints, worse on right side... which made perfect sense. I'm now working with a spine group; they have me on Meloxicam, a strong anti-inflammatory, and I'm doing PT which is helping to stabilize the neck muscles. Hoping to keep making progress with PT; it's been very helpful for my therapists to have the imaging result to see what's going on in there. Doing Zometa for bone density. Thank you for sharing, it's helpful to know others are coping with this too.

I've been on Arimidex for 4 years and I have all kinds of bone and joint disorders. This runs in my familu so it's hard to know if it's due to that or the Arimidex. I had to herniated disc in my cervical vertebrae, and the pain went down my arm. The epidural steroid injection was ineffective, but PT REALLY helped. I know the drug can cause osteopenia and osteoporosis, which can lead to spinal compression fractures, so my oncologist orders a DEXA every year, and I get a Prolia injection twice a year. It might be worth looking into. I also have a spine, and rehabilitation medicine doctor, and he monitors everything as well.

Yes - my oncologist said anastrozole aggravates arthritis - makes it worse. So check this possibility out.

@cfacarol Yes, by all means speak with your oncologist. If your medical group has access to e-mail, then e-mail your questions. I'm on my third AI (exemestane) and the side effects aren't as bad. The first two were quite difficult to handle. Everyone handles them differently and trying another one might be beneficial. Your doctor may order x-rays of your neck to be sure there is nothing suspicious there, but it could be something as simple as aethritis for which physical therapy can be of help