1. < Breast Cancer

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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nanna1948 | @nanna1948 | Oct 5, 2023

I have completed anastrazole five years. Less tired sleep better most important no More diahrea.

REPLY
timely | @timely | Oct 5, 2023
In reply to @omer "I have been taking Anastrozole for 4.5 years. I am due to stop in January 31,..." + (show)
@omer

I have been taking Anastrozole for 4.5 years. I am due to stop in January 31, 2023. I can hardly wait. Because of all the side effects I am experiencing; muscle aches and pain, hair loss, constipation, bone loss; I would like to begin to taper off in order to find out if it is the true cause of my bone density issues and all the rest. I have been told by docs to take Reclast to help with my bone loss. But it is a drug with side effects and that worries me. I do not want to compound the problems I am already experiencing. I would personally like to get off of it and then see if my condition improves. But am I playing Russian roulette with my bones? I am just scared of taking the Reclast. I was also informed not to stop taking Anastrozele early. And I so want to be done with it, too!
I am in the same boat as you. I wish I had advice but I am doing what you are. I can't wait to be done!

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@omer

I have osteoporosis and am on Leterzole.

I have refused to take reclast or Prolia.

I am planning on starting osteoporosis PT and weight bearing exercises and evaluating at my next DEXA.

I too am horrified with all the side effects of these drugs for osteoporosis.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 16, 2023
In reply to @phig510 "Hi there..ive recently stopped the Anastrozole after 15 mos due to elevated labs. Im feeling off...lightheaded,..." + (show)
@phig510

Hi there..ive recently stopped the Anastrozole after 15 mos due to elevated labs. Im feeling off...lightheaded, tired , and and just down. Repeating labs 8n 30 days to see if its the culprit. Ive never had elevated labs. So frustrated.

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@phig510, how are you feeling? What lab values were elevated?

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chiara58 | @chiara58 | Dec 1, 2023
In reply to @omer "I have been taking Anastrozole for 4.5 years. I am due to stop in January 31,..." + (show)
@omer

I have been taking Anastrozole for 4.5 years. I am due to stop in January 31, 2023. I can hardly wait. Because of all the side effects I am experiencing; muscle aches and pain, hair loss, constipation, bone loss; I would like to begin to taper off in order to find out if it is the true cause of my bone density issues and all the rest. I have been told by docs to take Reclast to help with my bone loss. But it is a drug with side effects and that worries me. I do not want to compound the problems I am already experiencing. I would personally like to get off of it and then see if my condition improves. But am I playing Russian roulette with my bones? I am just scared of taking the Reclast. I was also informed not to stop taking Anastrozele early. And I so want to be done with it, too!
I am in the same boat as you. I wish I had advice but I am doing what you are. I can't wait to be done!

Jump to this post

I'm supposed to stop anastrazole in January 2024, after 5 years, but the doctor recommended taking it for 10 years. I read on several studies that the 10 years therapy increases the survival rate considerably (about 15%). I'm not sure how much my side effects (fatigue, hair loss, intestinal issues) are due to anastrazole and how much on the fact that I am currently on carbo-taxol chemo treatment for a second cancer, unrelated to my breast cancer. Any similar experience? Thank you.

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2 replies
blackcat | @blackcat | Dec 2, 2023
In reply to @timely "@omer I have osteoporosis and am on Leterzole. I have refused to take reclast or Prolia...." + (show)
@timely

@omer

I have osteoporosis and am on Leterzole.

I have refused to take reclast or Prolia.

I am planning on starting osteoporosis PT and weight bearing exercises and evaluating at my next DEXA.

I too am horrified with all the side effects of these drugs for osteoporosis.

Jump to this post

What side effects?

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1 reply
timely | @timely | Dec 2, 2023
In reply to @blackcat "What side effects?" + (show)
@blackcat

What side effects?

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Letrozole causes osteoporosis and osteopenia.

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1 reply
blackcat | @blackcat | Dec 2, 2023
In reply to @timely "Letrozole causes osteoporosis and osteopenia." + (show)
@timely

Letrozole causes osteoporosis and osteopenia.

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She refers to side effects of drugs to treat osteoporosis.

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southgawalker | @southgawalker | Dec 3, 2023

Please give me any facts related to Letrozole and Fosomax and having osteoporosis. I am so concerned.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Dec 3, 2023
In reply to @southgawalker "Please give me any facts related to Letrozole and Fosomax and having osteoporosis. I am so..." + (show)
@southgawalker

Please give me any facts related to Letrozole and Fosomax and having osteoporosis. I am so concerned.

Jump to this post

Try to not worry too much about side effects--they are just possibilities. I've tolerated letrozole without any side effects for a year, but I simply told myself that if I couldn't handle it I'd look for other options. I haven't experienced Fosomax, but if you are on letrozole or even of a certain age you should be monitored for osteopenia and osteoporosis. There should hopefully be warning time with this, and different ways to treat. And there is plenty of osteoporosis without AI. Basically taking any drug does not doom you to nasty side effects--just allow yourself to re-evaluate as you go and not be pressured. Pharmacology, medical science, and all of us as people are in constant flow of change. Try making the best (not perfect) decision for the time, and take good care of yourself!

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1 reply
anjalima | @anjalima | Dec 4, 2023
In reply to @mir123 "Try to not worry too much about side effects--they are just possibilities. I've tolerated letrozole without..." + (show)
@mir123

Try to not worry too much about side effects--they are just possibilities. I've tolerated letrozole without any side effects for a year, but I simply told myself that if I couldn't handle it I'd look for other options. I haven't experienced Fosomax, but if you are on letrozole or even of a certain age you should be monitored for osteopenia and osteoporosis. There should hopefully be warning time with this, and different ways to treat. And there is plenty of osteoporosis without AI. Basically taking any drug does not doom you to nasty side effects--just allow yourself to re-evaluate as you go and not be pressured. Pharmacology, medical science, and all of us as people are in constant flow of change. Try making the best (not perfect) decision for the time, and take good care of yourself!

Jump to this post

Agree!

I’ve been on Anastrozole for about 20 mos. At one year my DEXA remained essentially the same ( .1 up in one hip and .1 down in the other). My side effects of joint stiffness and discomfort were mitigated by stretching, walking, yoga and rarely an Advil. After one year the effects got much worse… after 2 mos of that I investigated everything I was doing and found that my pharmacy had switched the manufacturer of the generic… I found a pharmacy that, along with a specific manufacturer notation from oncologist, was able to get the original manufacturer… my “increased “ side effects fell away to original well tolerated joint discomfort.

If your oncologist prescribes AI then why not try it before assuming the worse…

I feel more protected from a recurrence because I take this med. THIS is what keeps me motivated to continue… and to find solutions if an unmanageable side effect occurs. There are many options to try.

🌸

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