I had lumpectomy and lymph node removal 4 years ago and the medication I've been taking is definitely the worse part. I have been through the whole lot...letrozole, tamoxifen, exemestane and am now on anastrozole. The first three had terrible side effects for me and I thought the anastrozole was going to work as the first month was fine. I don't remember what brand I was issued and cannot find out as the pharmacies don't keep that information. Then I was issued amorax brand which made my feet and ankles really painful and swollen. The next month I was issued crescent brand and my ankles went back to normal but I developed a very painful boated stomach. I have researched problems with anastrozole as its my last option and I need to be taking this for another year. It suggests that added ingredients are added to different brands and that causes the problems. The suggestion is to ask GP for a prescription which specifies the brand. The suggestion is accord or arimidex and mention in advance to the pharmacy so they can order this in. I have been today to let my pharmacy know ready for next week. My GP has done as I asked but the pharmacy said they don't order in specific brands and only get crescent. I've asked at a nearby village and they will have the accord brand so I've changed all my medication to them. I just hope this option works. Has anyone else had similar problems
Hi Sj54
I am sorry you are finding it difficult to find drug brands that you tolerate well. I don’t have direct experience to offer as my cancer doesn’t have oestrogen receptors. As one of the site’s community champions, I have noticed this topic comes up a lot and it does seem to be people reacting to the filler ingredients used by different brands. If you search for the subject Anastrazole you will find previous threads on this and hopefully some relevant experience.
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I have metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer, in remission
