What are other people's experiences with Anastrozole side effects?

Many community members have shared their experiences with Anastrozole, and side effects can vary significantly from person to person. Given your complex medical history, it's encouraging that you're preparing thoughtful questions for your upcoming oncology appointment to discuss the best path forward with your care team. Hopefully others in the community will share their experiences to help you feel more informed going into that important conversation.

Hi, thank you for sharing your experience. ❤️ I can only imagine how difficult and frightening this journey must have been — especially having a history of heart attacks and triple bypass, then experiencing severe side effects while trying to follow a treatment plan that is supposed to help protect your health. Every person’s body responds differently to medications like Anastrozole, and when someone already has complex health factors, the decision about continuing, changing, or adjusting treatment really deserves a careful and personalized discussion with the medical team. It’s great that you’re preparing for your oncology appointment. Have you had the chance to discuss with both your oncologist and cardiologist how your heart history may affect your options moving forward? Sometimes a more comprehensive review of your overall health situation can help you feel more confident about the next step. If you ever feel you need another perspective or help organizing your medical information for a more comprehensive health review, having an additional professional opinion can sometimes bring peace of mind.

I would also have your cardiologist discuss your status with oncology. Or send a note. I have also had my blood pressure rise on abastro large if you.

I mean anastrozole

So sorry to hear about your frightening journey. You are smart to do your research and make the best choice for you and your health issues. My journey has been a struggle. I did my best to take Arimidex starting out. I had a lumpectomy for Invasive ductal carcinoma + DCIS, HR positive, her negative, followed with radiation as the tumor was right at my pectoral walk. I struggled miserably with Arimidex, but stuck with it for a little over one year, with one short break. Then I tried Estemestane, this I struggled with for 3 months, took a 3 week break and started to feel better right away. Then I went on letrozole, the honeymoon period lasted about 4 months. All of these AI’s caused weight gain, bloating, severe joint pain, especially in hands, wrists and thumbs. Difficult to function or hold a glass. Severe hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, difficulty focusing and brain fog. I tried acupuncture which helped somewhat, but too expensive to sustain. I stayed active, stayed off all caffeine, red meats, never did consume much. Limited sugar to fresh fruits, kept active. I even added Bonefide supplements without any herbal or plant hormones, recommended by oncologist, no relief. After about 9 months on the letrozole I developed severe migraines for 6 excruciating weeks. Thinking it was a sinus headache/ infection. Saw 6 different doctors before an ENT referred me to neurology. They did an MRI and diagnosed the migraines were side effect of letrozole. So I had to stop that med, too.

Now oncologist is pushing tamoxifen, but I refuse to take that as I had two blood relatives develop uterine cancer from taking that med. To make things worse, the endocrinologist put me on fosamax as the AI’s had depleted my bone density, putting me at high fracture risk. I tried that for a month, but the side effects were too severe with acid reflux causing vomiting, burping, bloating, gas, constipation, cough, lack of appetite, lower back & hip pain, and overall feeling unwell. I’ve come to the reality that my system is just not going to cooperate with medications. I’m sticking with vitamin supplements, healthy diet, and redesigning my work out routine to include high impact, weight bearing, weights, and resistance bands. Sometimes you have to weigh your quality of life you have left vs the torture of medications taking over and making you miserably unwell. Wishing you all the best as you plot your journey and navigate your body’s needs and wellbeing. ❤️. Remember, you are not alone, hope some of our stories help you, just remember, we all have different reactions to medications and only your medical team may best advise you on yours❣️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Lee - I was put on tamoxifen first and felt it was worse than anastrozole so you may have dodged a bullet! Lol Right away I started having uterine cramps and my oncologist just looked at me like I was nuts! I thought this stuff is going straight to my uterus?!? I suffered with bad cramps my entire life I'm sure as heck not doing it again!

Anastrozole - I had sleep issues, having to go to bathroom all night long, depression and lack of appetite (lost 5 pounds without trying) that was a plus!!

I’m sorry you had such an awful experience. After a month on Anastrozole, I broke out in itchy hive- like welts over my body (belly, arms and legs), discovered a small percentage of people are allergic, so as per my oncologist’s instructions, I waited about a month and switched to Exemestane. Except for insomnia and fatigue, I haven’t noticed any other side effects yet. 🤞

I’m now armed with a list of research questions for my oncologist. Perhaps the fillers they use in the generic formulas are the culprit? Some of these meds are manufactured in India & China. That says a whole lot. Why would we be able to tolerate ingredients from another area? Especially if we’re a sensitive body? Time will tell, my aunts developed uterine cancer after only three months in tamoxifen. It was not at all a good outcome. I guess we all need to advocate for our bodies as best we can. There are no guarantees. Keep calm and fight on!❤️🙏

Pamela! I got hives from tamoxifen I almost forgot!! Oncologist did nothing for that!

Melissa! Yikes!

Lee, have you had infusions of Zometa? I have monthly infusions for soft bones.

Anastrozole is very difficult. I had invasive DCIS and opted for a double mastectomy with a DIEP reconstruction procedure. Lots of muscle and bone pain, tired all the time. After 2 years on it I finally have longer burst of energy through the day. I initially had weight gain but by feeling better I've gotten that off. A healthy diet and good supplements are helping. Try to stay as active as possible and push yourself, but, when you need to rest be sure to do that. It's a hard journey but I'm more afraid of the cancer coming back so I take it. I call it the "A "nasty" meds"

I am way to afraid to take an infusion with such negative results from the fosamax pills. How can you stop the infusion reactions as they are annual! I’m thinking the meds are just not going to work for my system. I’m trying to explore alternative brands & focus on the fillers to see if that may help? Trying to stay as active & proactive as possible🙏

I took it and had side effects I had to live with. It quit working after 6 years. Thanks to the pulmonologist who thought one tiny nodule showing up on an X-RAY was nothing to worry about. One year later a CT scan showed MULTIPLE nodules in BOTH lungs. Now I'm fighting metastatic breast cancer in my lungs, along with pulmonary fibrosis the chemo created back in 2017-2018. I'll be praying for you. 🙏🙏🙏

Kathy, I’m so sorry for all you are going through. My mom suffered with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, I understand how difficult this is. Sending along prayers and hugs. This is a tough battle to fight. Stay strong and keep a positive outlook. Celebrate every moment you can. ❤️ Keeping you in my prayers 🙏❤️