Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

@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’m glad that you had another option. Wishing you the very best.

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?

I 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

I 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.