Can Anastrozole Side Effects Return After Initial Recovery?

I was just going to post this question. I’ve noticed significant thinning of my hair ( unfortunately not my body) and I’ve been on it 3 years. I had cataract surgery but has been very successful for me so far.

I got hair loss significantly on Exemestane. Had to change back to letrozole due to joint pain and swelling in my hands. My oncologist told me nutrafol was okay to take for the hairloss. Haven’t tried it yet, $88 a month investment.

I am year 2, lost alot in beginning on Letrozole, came back mostly, and took just biotin... I developed cataracts the first year too!! Interesting.....

I am just about at the end of 2.5 years of tamoxifen and will be switching to letrozole for the remaining half of my five years. I too had thinning hair and started using biotin. It seems to have helped. Make sure you use a brand with only biotin. The gummies have Vitamin A and E added which are supplements that will adversely affect your hormone treatment. I also had cataract surgery but my cataracts began before my lumpectomy.

Cataracts? Has anyone gotten info on this? Seems pretty common and not given an explanation by the providers? Is that surgery covered?

I am wondering the same thing Sheila. I developed cararacts tge first year!

I had my surgery done at a hospital so it was covered by OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan). I did pay extra for a lens upgrade. If I would have chosen a private company, I would have had to submit to my own insurance.

Hi Susan, Same here, been on it about 3 months and hair is thinning. My oncologist has prescribed minoxidil. I will start it next Monday as I'm having my lumpectomy tomorrow. Stay well. Janet the Unicorn 🦄

Prior to cancer dx, I have been on low dose (2.5 mg) of oral minoxidil for a few years for post menopausal hair loss/ thinning and it has been very effective. I am 1 month post op (DMX) and see an oncologist this week for endocrine therapy. Hoping minoxidil is still effective. I am reading these comments as I wait to see eye doctor to schedule cataract surgery, which I have needed for a while but put off. Am wondering now if I should do it or wait til endocrine therapy is over. Any thoughts??

I would love to know more about minoxidil. My oncologist has never r offered any help?

I started out on anastrozole bone pain was too much. I've been on exemestane ever since. I have now been dx with RA (ANOTHER HAIR LOSS DX), so if I'm having pain from exemestane, I wouldn't know because of the pain from RA!! But I would love to hane my thick hair back. Thanks in advance.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/18/health/minoxidil-hair-loss-pills.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb

Hi Deanna, If you can’t open this, google the topic and share with your doc. Thx for sharing about the medications. I am sorry to hear about your RA.

Side effects from anastrozole can indeed fluctuate and sometimes return after periods of improvement, which can be frustrating when you thought you had found your rhythm with the medication. Many patients in this community have shared similar experiences with hair changes occurring at different points during their treatment journey, and it's encouraging that the minoxidil helped before and may be worth discussing with your oncologist again. These ongoing concerns about both hair changes and vision issues are definitely worth bringing up with your medical team to explore all your options and ensure you're getting the support you need.