After the conclusion of chemo and radiotherapy I have been put on Anastrazole for five years minimum. I have always been a bit prone to palpitations for many years and after a referral to Cardiology a long time ago (more than 30 years ago) I was put on Atenolol, which never stopped the palpitations completely, but did reduce them and I am still on Atenolol to this day. Suddenly after going on the Anastrazole my palpitations increased dramatically and I spoke to a Staff Nurse in Oncology at my hospital who said I should attend A&E immediately if I couldn't get to see my GP that day. I couldn't even get through to my GP, so off to A&E I went. Oncology also said they would bring forward my follow up appointment. Following ECG, blood tests etc in A&E I was eventually told they didn't think what they could see on the trace was anything to worry about and to go home, relax chill out and try drinking more water, cut out caffeine and alcohol and if it continued to return to my GP.
My palpitations seemed to die down for a while and I was hoping I was getting more back to normal, but now they have increased again. When I attended my FU appointment Oncology said if the palpitations became a problem again to stop taking the Anastrazole for two weeks to see if that helped. Also they could try me on a different type of tablet. They said not to go back to my GP (as recommended by A&E) but to contact them, as my GP could not alter my breast cancer medication. They also told me that Anastrazole itself does not cause heart problems, BUT it can cause menopausal side effects such as hot flushes (I am getting those too), mood swings (yes those too) and anxiety etc, which in itself can have an indirect affect and cause the palpitations.
I just want to get back to normal and this is really causing me problems. I cannot relax and sleep at night for the palpitations, so I am going to stop the tablets for 2 weeks from tomorrow to see if this helps. I can't keep going on like this.
I just wondered if anyone else has had side effects with Anastrazole and if so what you did about it? Life is going to be pretty miserable if I have to put up with feeling like this for a long time.
Thanks everyone xx
