Anastrozole

Hi Shy 1243 welcome to the forum though I am sorry to hear how much pain and discomfort you are in. Anastrozole and Letrozole, whilst slightly different are from.a group of drugs called Aromatase Inhibitors. They are designed to cut off our supply of Oestrogen as some breast cancers are Oestrogen receptors and that needs treated. Unfortunately with most of these drugs the side effects include boney pain and other side effects as you are experiencing.. is it worth asking for some time off the drug, as this is not unheard of as a short holiday from the drugs. It may be that the Oncologist could change you onto another drug from the same group..Always worth asking. Gail

thank you so much; hopefully I can discuss a solution with my oncologist

Hi - breast cancer now has a webinar coming up on this that you might find useful

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-workshop-navigating-tamoxifen-and-aromatase-inhibitors-tickets-1360482041409 

a breast cancer oncologist is leading it and there is a q and a at the end x 

thank you, even better!  I have loads of questions, perhaps I might get some meaningful and useful info

There are quite a few threads on breast cancer now forum you might find helpful too. Hope you get some helpful info x 

Hi. I was on anastrozole for seven years and I noticed a huge difference in side effects depending on manufacturer. I had horrible side effects from most of the generics. But I was ok on the branded product… original manufacturer. When I eventually figured this out I talked to my Oncologist and she said that its quite common. I am not sure if this helps at all

Thank you.  I try to keep to the same manufacturers, Accord reccomend by my oncologist.  I have been given others by my pharmacy when this has not been available.  But I've insisted they find  me the brand I'm used to.  I know I've to take these, but I'd also like to have some quality of life and live it!  Just don't know what awaits 

1. I have been taking Anastrozol for 18 months and am feeling absolutely dreadful - very painful joints, fatigued and incredibly down and tearful. Was ok for first few months but now side effects are getting worse. Diagnosed with lobular breast cancer, bilateral mastectomy followed by radiotherapy.  Started Anastrozol straight after. 
2. I don't know whether to come off Anastrozol and take the risk of cancer returning or continue feeling so awful. By the way I will be 76 next week and before this was  normally fit and well.  
3. Should I seek advice from GP or breast Clinic? I've come to the realisation that I need help.

I am sat here on my holidays and I am reduced to  a maximum of 3 k walking in a day. Anything over that and I take three days to recover. Three out of five fingers on my right hand trigger when I wake up. If I wake up in the middle of the night for the loo I’m like a badly used puppet as my joints stick and jerk randomly. 
I am so fed up of it and it is only been 7 months. 

Hi Silverberg

I sympathise.  My hands and feet are very painful.  I have trigger fingers too, worse on the right hand. Feet are so painful to walk on, especially in the morning, or during the night. I'm going to make some calls on Monday and hope I can get some help. Or at least look at options.