Tamoxifen side effects vs Anastrozole side effects

Hi I'm really interested in this because I'm pre menopausal and so will most likely be given Tamoxifen. I have researched it too and Anastrozole is meant to be more effective, but I would need Zoladex to turn off my ovaries first. Both seem to have their own down sides... Anastrozole for bone problems and Tamoxifen for blood clots, fluid build up and others. I'm not sure what to do as the SE's seem worse on Anastrozole but it has come out as much more effective overall. I feel a bit sad reading about all the side effects for both if I'm honest... but I do realise how lucky we are that we can take these at all. 

I have also read that some have experienced different SE with different brands of Anastrozole which is interesting.  The chemist I initially used for my supply seem to be ad-hoc on which brand I was given.  I recently changed to a ASDA chemist after I checked which brand they supplied - they supply accord, only had two packs from them so far and both been accord, so I will see how I go.  I am post menopausal and early 60s. and had hip arthritis prior to cancer treatment.  After completion of the main treatments chemo. radio. and surgery I started the Anastrozole - and did not feel any decline in the the hip problem until after I started the bone medicine  - about 4 months after the start of Anastrozole, then the hobbling out of bed in the morning - knees, lower back, shins, feet and hands discomfort .  No hot flushes tho.  If I sit for some time and get up my thighs are weak - I remember my mother getting up like this but she had a zimmer to hang onto, I'm not sure I want one of these just yet.  I am wondering if a change of meds to Tamoxifen would help.  As I am, like most, concerned about doing this, incase its not the best choice from me.  It's tough making decisions like this, the Onco says its personal choice- but advised Anastrozole is the more effect treatment.  I had the ONCO dx test - which showed a recurrence score of 19% - and how this could be reduced by Chemo and the used of Tamoxifen.  Any feedback  on this matter would be much appreciated.  I have also taken a look at the emc pages for these two drugs - which gives a lot of detailed information from studies on these - Anastrozole and Tamoxifen.

has a great explanation of the different ways these two drugs work - hopefully he can cut & paste here for you.  I’ve changed from tamoxifen to anastrozole as I’m now post menopause.  Tamoxifen was fine and I didn’t notice any difference between half a dozen different brands over two years.  Mainly hot flushes and tiredness.  Since starting anastrozole I get more muscles aches and some mild joint pain but these are all effects of oestrogen depletion.  For me, the hormone treatment adds as much survival benefit as the chemotherapy did - this encourages me to keep taking the pills!

Hi   /  

Has anyone suggested Exemestane / Aromasin instead of the more common Letrozole and Anastrozole ? Several ladies have found it a better option rather than Tamoxifen when post meno.

This could be the reply I gave a while back - So maybe the one argymargy refers to ?

So if the adrenal glands make oestrogen,  then could that support the stress related BC theory? A lot of us have stressful jobs... and our bodies would also be producing higher levels of adrenaline. 

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Thank for the feedback.  How long was it before you got the muscles aches and joint pain after starting the anastrozole.  I had been taking it about 4 months before I felt this - but had also starting taking bisphosphonates about two months before this - so not sure which is the culprit - or  mixture of the two.  The first packet of Anastrozole I got from the hospital and this was TEVA brand - this seemed ok for the month of taking it. 

I read that Tamoxifen and Anastrozole act in a slightly different way in how they  reduce the effects of estrogen in the body. I took from this that one Tamoxifen modifies how it can attacks (for want of a better word) a cancer cell and the other just reduces the amount of estrogen in the body.  I get the bit about pre/post menopause.  I understand that the Anastrozole if more effective for post menopausal ladies - but if one has already got aches/pains joint problems beats me why it is prescribed for ladies when this is already a problem.  I've not researched the EXem. or Letro.  My Onco. says the Anastrozole is the first line of defence - ?  Wheather this is by different UK health authorities not sure.  The EMC tables also show lots info about the drugs - will look up EXem. and Letro from your links.  Thanks.

Interesting point. Before I was found to have BC I had an issue with a syndrome called Miller Fisher - which was where by body made the wrong anti-body in response the pneumonia.  This stripped the sheath from my peripheral nerves, autoimmune - just recovered to 95% and then found with the BC. Treatment for this condition (MF) was by flushing me with a population of antibodies.  I do wonder if the impaired immune system let the cancer fester and grow. I'm not too sure if this involved the adrenal glands.  Of course this was all very stressful - it affected my eyesight and my ability to walk - nine months later I was beginning to feel normal again. 

Hi

Letrozole is fairly similar to Anastrozole but Exemestane works differently and is steroidal based.

G n' J