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When do side effects of anastrozole begin?

Posted by meomurian @meomurian, Oct 28, 2023

I will be starting my first day on anastrozole and wanted to know when I should expect to see any side effects. Also, what time of day is best to take it?

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barbdawdy | @barbdawdy | Feb 17 10:58am
In reply to @ram33 "I was taking Anastrozole at night before bed. That's what was recommended. After about 7-10 days,..." + (show)
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I was taking Anastrozole at night before bed. That's what was recommended. After about 7-10 days, I started with a slight ache in my teeth (or so I thought). I had been to the dentist for a cleaning with no other issues. So at first I thought the ache was that and used Tylenol to alleviate. But the pain kept building up stronger and longer over the next 2 weeks . Sometimes in my upper jaw, sometimes lower jar or both. It would come and go. But it built up to quite a point that I couldn't lay flat at night. Bearly slept for 3 nights in a lazyboy. Pain would build up and stay strong like 11 for a long period of time but eventually slack off and even be gone for a few hours. But it just kept returning and Tylenol was no longer helping. I was told to go off the Anastrozole and all the pain was gone within 24 hours with no reoccurrence. Now I've been prescribed Exemestane and just started it. However I'm terrified of what side effects this will bring.

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You and I have similar stories. I stopped Anastrozole last Sunday- symptoms are still here. Meeting with my Onc later today.

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green1 | @green1 | Dec 8 3:14pm
In reply to @anjalima "Side effects … IF THEY OCCUR AT ALL… pretty much start early on like a week..." + (show)
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Side effects … IF THEY OCCUR AT ALL… pretty much start early on like a week or two. Anastrozole has a 50 hour half life so it builds.

I take it at night with dinner because I have mild joint discomfort and I can pretty much mitigate that in the morning before I start my day. Feel great most of the day.

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@anjalima
I have developed growing joint pain all over since beginning 18 months ago ( 3 Prolia injections to protect bones. So im not sure which caused this

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green1 | @green1 | Dec 8 3:16pm

I started the anastrozole 6 months prior to the anastrozole

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green1 | @green1 | Dec 8 3:18pm

Darn i meant 3 months prior to Prolia. My other major side effect as you can see is some increased confusion and
Recall issues that are also increasing

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green1 | @green1 | Dec 8 3:21pm

Mine began after i began Prolia shot every 6 months. Ive experienced memory issues and confusion that is becoming progressively worse

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green1 | @green1 | Dec 8 3:22pm
In reply to @green1 "Mine began after i began Prolia shot every 6 months. Ive experienced memory issues and confusion..." + (show)
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Mine began after i began Prolia shot every 6 months. Ive experienced memory issues and confusion that is becoming progressively worse

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@green1
I have had 3 Prolia shots over 18 months
To prevent anastrzoles effects on bone strenght and to prevent bone loss. Im not sure which is causing these issues

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treeck12 | @treeck12 | Dec 9 12:37pm

Joint pain started almost 10 yrs after starting anastrazole. Side effects from 1 injection of prolia after stopping anastrazole were severe. Balance was very affected, could not walk on grass without losing balance. Have a little osteoporosis now, took 1 infusion of reclast and again very bad side effects. 101 fever, joint pains, headache.

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ccc1965 | @ccc1965 | Dec 9 2:28pm

My emotional side effects happened 6 weeks after taking. I did not have any physical side effects.

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kandisn | @kandisn | Dec 10 9:37am

I have been on it for 9 months. I have joint pain in my right thumb. I talked to my oncologist and she said it can cause carpet tunnel. I am enduring it right now, sure don’t want surgery!

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marshmallow | @marshmallow | Dec 10 1:31pm
In reply to @green1 "@anjalima I have developed growing joint pain all over since beginning 18 months ago ( 3..." + (show)
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@anjalima
I have developed growing joint pain all over since beginning 18 months ago ( 3 Prolia injections to protect bones. So im not sure which caused this

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@green1 The lack of estrogen (anastrozole depletes estrogen) is what’s causing the pain. People that have stopped it say they go back to feeling their normal selves within days of discontinuing.

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