Anastrozole v Letrozole

Hi

I have wondered this as well as I'm on Anastrozole.    I know one lady on here wanted anastrozle instead of letrozole and her oncologist said it wouldn't work for her.  I wondered initially if it was something to do with when we went through the menopause, but my sister in law had been on Anastrozole at 60+, so this can't be the case.  My friend who was diagnosed a month after me is HER2 and ER+ - she's also on anastrozole and she's 6 years older than me (I was 51 at diagnosis).

If someone else knows the answer, I'd also like to know, so a bump up of this post may get us an answer

I am 72 and I am seeing my oncologist tomorrow so will ask her why.

I’m on Anastrazole too,, age 59, I didn’t think to ask why just pop the pills! Will be interested to hear what your oncologist says. And this will bump it up again lesleyhelen!

Good morning Dragonfly46

I was on Letrozole for nearly 18 months after my lumpectomy, but because i had so many side effects, my oncologist changed me to Anastrozole.  I had to stop taking Letrozole for 4 weeks then start on Anastrozole which I started 3 weeks ago.  I know it's early days but all my joints seem to be worse than before. I'll give a chance to get them into my system properly and see how things are. I'm Off to see my GP today so see what he thinks. I'm  in my 70's so well past the menopause.

My oncologist said that Anastrozole is better for shrinking tumours so that works even better with Kisqali. Mine has to shrink before they can take it out.

I am a newbie so am very sorry if I am butting in on a discussion where I should not be.  If so, I apologise.

I am mid sixties and had my lumpectomy in January and am having my first session of radio tomorrow.  I am worried because I have been prescribed Anastrozole which I am due to start tomorrow with the radio.  I am reading all the side effects, particularly for an anorexic like me where weight gain, hair thinning and bone thinning would be a major problem. I am hoping that the pros of taking it outweigh the cons.

Hi , welcome to this 'club', hope you'll find it a great source of support, shared experiences and sometimes a laugh along the way! You are absolutely not 'butting in' here, join in any discussion thread that you want to, all contributions are valued.

Your situation sounds similar to mine, I had lumpectomy in October, Anastrozole from December and radiotherapy in January. So far so good re the 'nasty' tablets, I haven't gained or lost weight, no loss or gain in appetite. Bone thinning, if it happens, is slow I've been told, but you should ask for a DEXA scan to check your bone density as a 'baseline' at the beginning of your treatment. I had my scan in January, they said it didn't have to be before starting the tablets as the effects are slow. Hair seems ok so far. Remember that they have to list all the POSSIBLE side effects, but not all of us will get all of them. For me, so far, the idea that popping the pills will give me a better chance of staying cancer free is definitely worth the risk of side effects; and at the moment I think the only effect is a bit of an achy wrist. 

Good luck with your first rads session tomorrow - check out the May Breast Cancer Radiotherapy Thread - there are links to 'top tips' at the start of the thread and others like you who are having rads this month will be posting there. 

Wishing you well, keep posting and let us know how you are doing, also ask questions, rant, rave, share good news, anyhting goes really within the guidelines!! Gentle hugs, HFxx

Hi JayEm, I have been taking Anastrozole since the end of November with virtually no side effects. My hair is no thinner but grows more slowly and I have a dry mouth in the mornings. Apart from that all good.

Hi HappyFeet1

Thanks for your friendly reply, and the Thread which you suggested.  I have just got back from the hospital and it all went very well. I will not be apprehensive when I go again tomorrow. I should have said that I have already had the bone scan, but await the results.  

I am really pleased to read about how you reacted to Anastrozole.  I am hoping I will be the same, because I love running and would be upset if painful joints stopped me. I wonder if what time of day you take it has any effect.  Evening has been suggested (hopefully I would sleep through the achy joints!) so I am thinking of trying it with a cup of tea last thing at night. What time of the day do you take it?

Thanks again for your reply. As you say, anything which can prevent the return of the cancer must be worth the side effects. I will certainly keep posting. XX

Thanks Dragonfly46.  It is reassuring that you are having virtually no side effects. As I mentioned to HappyFeet1, I wonder if the time of day that you take it can make a difference.  If you don't mind saying, what time of day do you take yours please?

Best wishes XX