What happens when you stop taking anastrozole?

Posted by kamra @kamra, May 7, 2023

I've been taking anastrozole for six months to shrink tumors in preparation for surgery. I stopped taking it about a week and a half ago as the doctor ordered since my surgery is coming up. I've felt weird and not very well since stopping. I've been tired, kind of dizzy, and just not feeling myself. Anyone have experience with side effects when stopping Anastrozole? Thank you. I go back on it after surgery.

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ebtexas55 | @ebtexas55 | Nov 3 3:36am

In reply to @eleanorrigby "@sequoia What is DIM?" + (show)

@eleanorrigby

Heres the link…
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dim-supplement
I tried the link sequoia sent and it worked.
I sent the link so people would be aware of it.
Since I started to have AFIB I have to be careful with what I now have to take with heart meds.
See the other posts.

Best to you!

eleanorrigby | @eleanorrigby | Nov 3 2:26pm

In reply to @ebtexas55 "@eleanorrigby Heres the link… https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dim-supplement I tried the link sequoia sent and it worked. I sent..." + (show)

@ebtexas55 Thanks so much!

jennygarre | @jennygarre | Nov 4 11:44am

I just had my surgery 10/10/2025. I was told not to stop taking my Anastrozole or any of my other meds. I was told to stop my Metformin only on day of surgery

briarrose | @briarrose | Nov 5 11:23am

I truly wish "someone, something, somehow" we breast cancer survivors would get the REAL story on the effectiveness of the AIs long term.
I was only on Anastrozole for 4 months and it was killing me. Now I am going to start Letrozole which, to my understanding, can be a killer too. Hoping this AI will be "less" physically intolerable as Anastrozole but, frankly, I am not that hopeful. In 4 months I now have osteopenia, my blood pressure is not returning to my norm despite 3 dose increases on B/P medications, the headaches 24/7 felt like my head was going to explode (& I have migraines, these headaches were NOT migraines) and my back pain was so terrible at times I thought I was going to vomit. I am afraid of the damage I will be doing to my body, long term. as my oncologist wants me to try another AI which will be in 2 weeks. Yes, I "might" not have another bout of cancer in 10 years when I am 80 but will I be even able to function in the activities of daily living after years of taking these drugs?? Plus I have ischemic heart disease and on the package insert literature is a warning in black and white "in women with ischemic heart disease (that's me) the use of this drug can cause a heart attack or stroke". Really?? Can anyone give me a straight answer or a guide or something so I/we can make informed decisions about these time-bomb AI drugs? Yes, I feel so frustrated/angry...but always always blessings to my sister survivors.

eleanorrigby | @eleanorrigby | Nov 6 1:24pm

In reply to @jennygarre "I just had my surgery 10/10/2025. I was told not to stop taking my Anastrozole or..." + (show)

@jennygarre So odd that oncologists/surgeons see things so differently! My surgeon who will be doing my surgery next week said for me to stop taking anastrazole 1 week ahead of time. What does anastrazole do that we need to stop taking it?