Hi again, I am 7 months out from surgery and on Anastrozol, calcium/D and Alendronic Acid once a week.
I have been reading some of the posts about Anastrozol which makes me see that aches and pains are to be expected, but I am pretty bummed at the extreme changes that have happened to my body in just 6 months. I know I’m 65 and should expect stuff to start breaking down but since the surgery, radiotherapy and medications it feels like my body is on a downward spiral. There are pains in my ankles, arms, wrists, knees, fingers and a tightness in the back of my left leg when I walk. My knees hurt when I sit down or get up. At night I wake up and my finger joints feel jammed and there is deep gnawing pain in my left hip joint in my back. I am fighting the urge to stay in bed half the day and feel very fatigued. I’m hoping to see the oncologist in the next few weeks but it’s hard not to get concerned with such a radical change. Sorry this is such a moan fest and I’m grateful for a cancer free life but I’m a bit fed up. K
Hi Deacongirl
I'm on Anastrozole and calcium/D (not Alendronic), but I found that the brands of Anastrozole make a huge different to me. I was given another brand (can't remember it now) for one month, having been on Accord and within 2 days I had exactly the same side effects as you describe. I had some Accord left and swapped back - 2 days later these side effects were gone. I tested them again a couple of months later and the same thing happened so I know it was the brand that was causing it.
My doctor has it on my prescription slip "Accord brand only" now and I always keep a month's supply in just in case the pharmacy runs out and has delays in getting them in. The coatings in the tablets have different ingredients in them, so it's worth perhaps trying different brands before you look at changing the AI - they put us on the one that is the best for us.
With Accord, I only very occasionally get an achy thumb and a stiff knee and I find that cycling stops the knee stiffness/pain.
Kindest wishes,
