Hello

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Hi, my name is Chris and today is my two week post radiotherapy day.  I had three surgeries to get to the radiotherapy so everything has taken longer than first anticipated.  I feel well except for being extremely tired so by the afternoon I sleep and still go to bed early.  I am about to start taking Anastrozole, which worries me due to the the possible side effects.  Just wondering what experience any of you may have had with this drug.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Fowlec80 welcome to the forum and sorry to hear how tired you are feeling. I suspect that this tiredness is as a result of the Radiotherapy and can take some time to clear unfortunately. However you are doing the right things and listening to your body and resting up and going to bed early, it will improve but will take time.

    As to the Anastrozole well people can and do get symptoms when on this drug but not all and  the most common one reported is bony pain but everyone doesnt get that so you may be lucky in that but either way it is only one drug of many that can be swapped if it doesnt suit you so dont just put up with it.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi

    Great to hear you're feeling well, apart from, possibly, fatigue.  As you are doing, listen to your body as you have been through a lot, including stress etc.

    I'm on Letrozole now, which is similiar in that it's a hormone blocker so, as eostrogen levels fall you may start to experience menopausal symptoms (again, if you're already post menapausal, like I am)

    The first packet of Letrozole, for me, was disastrous in that, very quickly various joints got very stiff. My shoulders almost siezed up so, as I was trying to improve range of shoulder movement (after major injury) I decided this was likely to jeopodize radiotherapy so I stopped them, after only 11 days.  Consequently, after RT completed, I tried a different brand and, now, at 3 1/2 weeks on them, I've only got relatively mild joint pains, which I can tolerate.  Hopefully, they won't get worse as time goes on.  Recovery from my shoulder injury is still continuing.

    So, what I'm suggesting is to try different brands until you find one you can tolerate the best.  If you get your prescription on it's own presceiption sheet, you will be able to have it filled at which ever pharmacy has the brand you want.  If you have found a brand you are happy with, then discuss with your GP regarding prescribing that particular brand.  The pharmacy will then be obliged to obtain it for you

    Good luck

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Thank you so much, glad to hear things are improving for you.  It’s all a learning curve, I will take your advice. 

    Slight smile

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Thank you so much, I am hoping I am one of the ones that had few or mild side effects. 
    Advice noted and I will take it. 
    Slight smile