Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Posted by tinalove @tinalove, Jan 31, 2016

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?

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gwinter | @gwinter | Mar 6, 2019

In reply to @farmgirl1556 "Just curious who suggested a hysterectomy ? I have always wondered about that due to uterine..." + (show)

@farmgirl1556 I had my stage 1 ER +, PR + HERS- tumor sent off to be oncotyped due to the amount of breast cancer on my maternal side (all 5 of my great aunts in their 80's). It came back no Braca 1 or 2 but RAD15C which leads to cancer recurring possibly in ovary (I only have 1) so I opted to have robotic hysterectomy and oophrectomy. Plus, I am 64....

elizm | @elizm | Mar 6, 2019

In reply to @karendb "Hi. I don't know what I've been reading, but everything I've read says AI reduces the..." + (show)

@karendb
Yes, AIs are effective at reducing recurrence while you are taking one.

farmgirl1556 | @farmgirl1556 | Mar 6, 2019

In reply to @gwinter "@farmgirl1556 I had my stage 1 ER +, PR + HERS- tumor sent off to be..." + (show)

Thanks !! I understand that !! I’m also estrogen and progesterone pos. Since I was having uterine issues I was considering a hysterectomy but since finishing my tamoxifen it has improved . I pray all goes well for you ✝️😊

farmgirl1556 | @farmgirl1556 | Mar 6, 2019

In reply to @kwanless "My doctor told me it gives a 9% more chance cancer won’t recur. That’s not much..." + (show)

I did not want to continue taking The anastrozole so my onc. ordered a breast index test which I’m waiting on. That will determine the benefit of taking it...I hate that anastrozole affects your bones 😔

Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Mar 6, 2019

In reply to @farmgirl1556 "I did not want to continue taking The anastrozole so my onc. ordered a breast index..." + (show)

Thank for info, I was not aware of test.

For others who want more information:
https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/breast-cancer-index-test
Laurie

gwinter | @gwinter | Mar 6, 2019

In reply to @farmgirl1556 "Thanks !! I understand that !! I’m also estrogen and progesterone pos. Since I was having..." + (show)

@farmgirl1556 all well here! Thank you! All pathology reports negative. Just 4 weeks out and doing well...just slow and steady.
Make the decision with what they find! Good luck!
I am choosing to possibly take a lower dose of different AI med because of horrendous side effects and 4 young grandsons.
Don't want to be a couch potato. Meds will not define me.

kwanless | @kwanless | Mar 6, 2019

In reply to @gwinter "@farmgirl1556 all well here! Thank you! All pathology reports negative. Just 4 weeks out and doing..." + (show)

Congrats! I totally agree with you on meds!

kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Mar 6, 2019

In reply to @kwanless "Would be great if that was true. 9% is nothing!" + (show)

This is how my oncologist explained it. I had a lumpectomy and 21 radiation treatments. She said surgery reduces the chances of it returning by 80%; radiation reduces the remaining 20% change by 50%, so now it's a 10% chance. The AI drug reduces that remaining 10% by another 50%. So now we're at a 95% chance it will not return. I hope I explained it correctly - but each treatment - reduces the chance. I hope to take it for a full 5 yrs at least. Only you can decide what risk to take. And I agree discuss this with your doctor. Not everyone has the side effects listed. And some are very livable - dry eyes & losing some hair. It's worth my life to me,. ALSO - if it returns, it will not necessarily be Breast cancer - it will come back in your Brain, Bones, Liver or Lungs. Keep that in Mind. If your doctor didn't tell you that - shame on them. Also keep in mind 85% of BC is now cured.