When do side effects of anastrozole begin?

Just started Anastrozole 1 week ago. Have some back pain but tolerable. Hot flashes same as when I was on Tamoxifen. Think I'm in the clear as far as no more symptoms or do more come later?

I’m 60 yr old. I had a very mild menopause and am in good shape. . I used anastrozole this past June. For me and everyone is different, my side effects got worse -
Joint aches - hands and knees , headaches,mood swings, fatigue. Literally put me in a tale spin. Went off and it took almost a month off of it to feel like “me” again. I did start exemestane and have been on it 3 months with the only side effect of not being able to get to sleep- that was solved by switching the time I took the pill. I have had 3 friends that had no side effects from anastrozole. Good luck. You have to know your body!

After a few weeks, I got Trigger Fingers from Anastrozole. Found that it is more common in women who take Letrozole and even more so Anastrozole. Not that bad in the daytime but wake up with my hands clenched. It's not as bad as bone pain. Heat seems to help.

Hope you don't get any more symtoms.

I too developed trigger finger and at a PT appt I was told that OT treatment will help and it has. I went from triggering with pain and not being able to cut my own food to having very limited triggers now. I wear finger splints my OT gave me at night to keep my two fingers affected (one of each hand) - I also purchased a hot wax machine that I do several times a week which feels great. I had OT treatments for about a month 1 time a week where I received ultrasound and tooling - I have no pain if they do trigger and I can now cut my own food and use my fingers as before. I was also told by my OT & Oncologist that trigger finger has been seen in many taking Anastrozole. If your only having trouble in morning I would encourage you to purchase a finger splint.

I started on anastrazole 4 days ago, after lumpectomy in Dec 2023 and 4 weeks of radiation. I had invasive 1b tumor. I have no appetite, I cough, I have jaw pain once or twice a day, which doesn't last more than a minute or so, and I am slow and tired. I am 66 and wondering if in 1-2 weeks these side effects will be more manageable. Thank you.

I couldn't tolerate Anastrozole, but have tolerated Exemestane better! Been on it 3 weeks. Good luck!!

Anastrozole was a nightmare for me, starting day 3ish. Body aches, and made my left hand seize up. Also, it made me an emotional basket case. I felt like I was going out of my mind. I gave it for 4 weeks then asked to come off. On Exemestane now. A much better fit for me. Good luck!

I was on anastrazole for 3 months and noticed nothing. I felt good. It was towards the end when I had the side effects. Mostly fatigue. It wasn't thinking as clearly either. We switched to letrozole and it made it worse. Then I tried Anastrozole every other day and it's like I went down the rabbit hole for about 10 days. Stopped all drugs. Still have constant fatigue and then once in a while I'll have a really good day. Right now I am lying on my couch and I'm wondering if I'll ever be the same again. It is now March 2 and I stopped everything about the second week of February. My surgery as I said before is going to be May 24 and I can't wait. I just want everything to be behind me for a change.

Hi! @saraabrooks:

My heart goes out to you and our prayers will be with you all through your upcoming surgery on 5/24.

Best wishes on the journey forward, for better and healthier days are ahead!

Thank you for the kind thoughts.