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Completed 5 years of anastrozole. Withdrawal symptoms? Side effects?

Posted by christinej @christinej, Jul 24, 2018

Monday, July 23rd, after consulting with Dr. Loprinzi, we decided to have me stop taking anastrozole. (Arimidex). It has been 5 years since I started the drug after breast cancer surgery and radiation. Has anyone stopped this drug and had any withdrawal symptoms? The nurse from Blue Group sent me an email today saying that there are no withdrawal symptoms after stopping this drug. Soooooooooooooo, is this all in my head? Definitely having some type of withdrawal.

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augie144 | @augie144 | Oct 1, 2024
In reply to @karendb "Thank you for the positive words. I'll be starting those pills in a week and have..." + (show)
Profile picture for karendb @karendb

Thank you for the positive words. I'll be starting those pills in a week and have read such horror stories about it, I was worrying myself sick.

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I'll be finishing up in November, after 5 years. I experienced hot flashes and some fatique (maybe from hot flashes keeping me up?). I also have osteopenia but I don't know if it's b/c of the drug, I maybe already would have had it (was never tested for it before). And high cholesterol but I've always had that. I've been combatting all by: exercising daily with pilates/yoga combo and walk 30 mins including up 5 hills. That takes care of fatique, though I do often take a 20 min nap in the afternoon. I seem to be able to get up early, get the exercise done and am productive until nap time, about 8 hrs later. I take extra calcium daily and it has kept my bone health from deterioating. I watch my saturated fats and processed foods and have been eeking my cholesterol down 10 pts at a time for the duration. All in all, not horrible! Exercise and nutrition is key (as is for all good health!). Gook luck. You've got this!

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2scottymom | @2scottymom | Jun 21, 2024

I get the "flashes" some nite sweats, covers off/cover on...scar tissue is sometimes tingly!? they said radiation slows healing, this is crazy! Skin is less dry, and hair is getting thicker. Went from not feeling much to crying at commercials!? It just hit me, I am in menopause again! Hormone blocker shut off a lot, and now my body is working thru having some again. Still happy that I dont have to take the pill any more, joints less achy. Its only been 6 months...will see what else happens

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nanna1948 | @nanna1948 | Jun 19, 2024
In reply to @doesitforme02 "I do meet with my oncologist aides twice a year. The last time I met with..." + (show)
Profile picture for doesitforme02 @doesitforme02

I do meet with my oncologist aides twice a year. The last time I met with them I was fine. Just doing everything I can to ward away the side effects. However, during the past two months, I was unable to workout exercises. We had so much to do around the house for renovations. I asked my husband does working around the store while lifting boxes and doing other things constitute as exercise. He could tell I was getting frustrated with my obligations getting in the way. He gave me a pass. This week, I got two workouts in. I am back to square one. It's a struggle, but I will keep trying. These past two weeks I have been experiencing alot of hot flashes. I am not sure if it is the weather or just that I have not been working out like I usually do. I will figure it out.

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Trust me it is the weather I had internal hot flashes I would ask everyone is it hot in Here they would say no. With the extreme heat now you are not alone. I finished five years of anastrazole I am happy to report no more internal heat it is the weather now keep it going try walking around the house in air conditioning or in the mall good luck relief is just around the corner all meds have side effects yours are minor you can do this

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doesitforme02 | @doesitforme02 | Jun 19, 2024

And, that sounds crazy. But I do it as well. However, some nights I try to get my sleep pattern back. Never works. My current hot flashes make me crazy. I guess I will live. Thank you for sharing.

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doesitforme02 | @doesitforme02 | Jun 18, 2024
In reply to @doesitforme02 "In 2022, I was identified as BRCA1. My family has had a history of breast cancer..." + (show)
Profile picture for doesitforme02 @doesitforme02

In 2022, I was identified as BRCA1. My family has had a history of breast cancer on my maternal side. My mother passed away with Ovarian Cancer. I had my ovaries removed and there was no cancer. It's going on two years with Anastrozole. All Mammograms and MRI's good. Now I experience sleepless nights. I saw a blog where a woman stated that when she was taken off this medicine eventually, she had a good night of sleep after a couple of days. I am looking forward to that. As a result of taking this medication, I now have to take FOSAMAX. This medication and the Anastrozole causes alot of pain throughout your body. I am a very active person, but I do get tired. I think when I get home from our business that I will sleep tight, Nada...I squirrel away in an extra room to deal with the side effects. It would be nice to wake up next to my husband in the morning.

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I do meet with my oncologist aides twice a year. The last time I met with them I was fine. Just doing everything I can to ward away the side effects. However, during the past two months, I was unable to workout exercises. We had so much to do around the house for renovations. I asked my husband does working around the store while lifting boxes and doing other things constitute as exercise. He could tell I was getting frustrated with my obligations getting in the way. He gave me a pass. This week, I got two workouts in. I am back to square one. It's a struggle, but I will keep trying. These past two weeks I have been experiencing alot of hot flashes. I am not sure if it is the weather or just that I have not been working out like I usually do. I will figure it out.

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ppat4pr | @ppat4pr | Jun 17, 2024
In reply to @doesitforme02 "In 2022, I was identified as BRCA1. My family has had a history of breast cancer..." + (show)
Profile picture for doesitforme02 @doesitforme02

In 2022, I was identified as BRCA1. My family has had a history of breast cancer on my maternal side. My mother passed away with Ovarian Cancer. I had my ovaries removed and there was no cancer. It's going on two years with Anastrozole. All Mammograms and MRI's good. Now I experience sleepless nights. I saw a blog where a woman stated that when she was taken off this medicine eventually, she had a good night of sleep after a couple of days. I am looking forward to that. As a result of taking this medication, I now have to take FOSAMAX. This medication and the Anastrozole causes alot of pain throughout your body. I am a very active person, but I do get tired. I think when I get home from our business that I will sleep tight, Nada...I squirrel away in an extra room to deal with the side effects. It would be nice to wake up next to my husband in the morning.

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I was on Letrozole for 5 years & stopped taking it a few months ago.. I do have trouble sleeping at night but put me in a chair in front of the tv & off I go for maybe 2 hours. 🤪

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dlmdinia | @dlmdinia | Jun 17, 2024
In reply to @denisesjourney123 "Do any of you pink queens know if it is fine to take vital protein collagen..." + (show)
Profile picture for denisesjourney123 @denisesjourney123

Do any of you pink queens know if it is fine to take vital protein collagen peptides daily if your on Anastrozole? I’m estrogen positive. I’ve been taking collagen for years and it helps with hair and nail health. If the blocker is suppose to deplete estrogen totally from the body will this product increase estrogen? Thanks

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Estrogen produces collagen, not the other way around. Suppressing estrogen leads to reduced collagen which probably explains all the joint pain. So your answer is, no. Collagen supplements do not increase estrogen.

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flowergal | @flowergal | Jun 16, 2024
In reply to @denisesjourney123 "Do any of you pink queens know if it is fine to take vital protein collagen..." + (show)
Profile picture for denisesjourney123 @denisesjourney123

Do any of you pink queens know if it is fine to take vital protein collagen peptides daily if your on Anastrozole? I’m estrogen positive. I’ve been taking collagen for years and it helps with hair and nail health. If the blocker is suppose to deplete estrogen totally from the body will this product increase estrogen? Thanks

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I believe if you search collagen you might find more information. My doctor says ok but I have read that it is very controversial if you are estrogen positive.
Personally I take it for my bones.

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flowergal | @flowergal | Jun 16, 2024
In reply to @bjohnson511 "Laurie, I wish the mayo clinic could do something about these pills that have such horrible..." + (show)
Profile picture for bjohnson511 @bjohnson511

Laurie, I wish the mayo clinic could do something about these pills that have such horrible side effects for women. I was on anastrozole for six months and had to go off of it. I could no longer play golf due to the pain in my hands at the trigger finger thumb and my baby fingers. Joint aches fatigue. I am 72 have always had a very active lifestyle and never was sick. A cold or the flu once in a while in my life. Breast cancer, invasive carcinoma my life has changed. I went off of the pill waiting to see the doctor to figure something else out. I can’t live like this . We need your help.

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I agree we need help. What is life if you can't participate?

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Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Jun 14, 2024
In reply to @bjohnson511 "Laurie, I wish the mayo clinic could do something about these pills that have such horrible..." + (show)
Profile picture for bjohnson511 @bjohnson511

Laurie, I wish the mayo clinic could do something about these pills that have such horrible side effects for women. I was on anastrozole for six months and had to go off of it. I could no longer play golf due to the pain in my hands at the trigger finger thumb and my baby fingers. Joint aches fatigue. I am 72 have always had a very active lifestyle and never was sick. A cold or the flu once in a while in my life. Breast cancer, invasive carcinoma my life has changed. I went off of the pill waiting to see the doctor to figure something else out. I can’t live like this . We need your help.

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@bjohnson511
I hear you, and wish I had power to provide a different solution, but like you I am survivor of breast cancer who could not tolerate AIs. I had different side effects and eventually discussed with oncologist the risk of stop taking AIs. I am low risk for recurrence and spreading.

Not everyone has that option, my sister is at higher risk of reoccurrence and her provider strongly suggest she stays on.

The reason I am at lower risk then my sisters even though my cancer was stage 2 is because I had chemo and radiation after tumor and few lymph nodes were removed. . My sister's was caught very earlier and she just had lump removed.

I hope you and your provider can come up treatment plan that reduces your risk but also does not interfere with your quality of life.

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