Anastrozole

Hi RoxiNaz welcome to the forum and I am sorry to hear about how you are feeling. 

The drug Anastrozole belongs to a  group of drugs called as Aromatase Inhibitors and you may have heard of another one of them named Letrozole. They are designed to cut off the supply of Oestrogen as I assume that your type of Breast Cancer was Oestrogen Positive, meaning it was being fed by Oestrogen hence the need to cut the supply off with medication.

The joint pain you describe is classic for these types of Drugs and there are a whole host of these which are available that you can try to see which one is best for you so dont put up with that for too long before you re visit the GP and ask them to change this for you. Just be aware that most of them cause joint issues but some better than others.

I noticed that you mentioned your mental health but you didn't say too much about that and I wondered if you can you tell us a bit more about that  as this too is common after treatment finishes and  we can help to support you until you feel better. xxx

Thank you for reaching out GRANNY59 xx

I had a scan and tattoo markers today, ouch it hurt, whilst having the scan i weeped,  my emotions got the better of me today. Feeling emotional so much today. I mentioned the tablets are making me feel very achy and a weird taste in my mouth, radiologist will speak with oncologist and hopefully change the tablets. 

Im struggling to concentrate, i loose focus on reading, tv, i love gardening and recently this is if no interest anymore, my garden has always been my sanctuary but nowadays im letting my beautiful plants wither away.

The hot flushes are coming thick and fast, im standing outside at stupid hours to cool down, something else i mentioned at my scan appointment today. 

I have an appointment on Friday for pre op, to takk about radiotherapy side affects. xxx

I had really bad joint pain for the first six or so months on exemestane (a differenrt aromatase inhibitor). Keeping moving really helped, especially easy things like going for a walk, or doing a HIIT or dance class online.

Gardening was harder because you can spend a lot of time in one position and feel quite stiff when you go to straighten up. I try to keep moving so that I don't stiffen up, whether that's getting up from the sofa often or taking breaks in long meetings.

Hi Rox

I am so with you, my joints hurt sometimes intolerably and the depression is quite intense.Thanks for posting every little mention helps

Sorry to hear that - I hope it starts to get better for you soon x

Hi

so sorry you are feeling this way.

I have had chemotherapy, lumpectomy then radiotherapy. I am still getting pertuzamab and trastuzumab every 3 weeks until the end of November.  I have suffered terrible joint pain towards the end of chemo but more so in the months that have followed. So I actually think a lot of it is down to the pertuzamab and trastuzumab.

I agonised over the decision as to whether to take anastrozole or not due to everything I had read about eg all the side effects.  But in the end I decided to give them a try and if I got worse then I would change to something else or pack in.  I gave myself time to get over the radiotherapy then started the tablets about a month later ie June this year.

I can honestly say I have got lucky and don’t seem to be noticing any further changes. I have also had 2 different brands so far and no changes.

so I am just wondering do you think you may still be suffering from chemo or pertuzamab and trastuzumab?  Or the terrible things we have had to endure? Just a thought?  I am now taking a supplement as advised by my pharmacist glucosamine and chondroitin.and it is early days yet but I am feeling a lot better and more normal? But I might be just recovering naturally anyway?  Don’t know?

good luck and hope things ease for you x

H Casput

How are you doing? x