***OESTROGEN-REDUCING MEDICATIONS***

I started taking Anastrozole on 1st April 2022 and a couple of days later I had my first dose of covid, very mild  case and I recovered quickly.

A couple of weeks go by and I developed an irritated throat, cough and became extremely breathless. I'm asthmatic, so upped my steroid inhalers, no difference. Was given a course of steroids, prednisone which stopped the breathing issues within 24 hours. Breathing problems still continued once the course of steroids was over. Asthma nurse questioned long covid, sent for a chest X-ray - clear, sputum test - clear, camera down nose/throat - clear. 

In the meantime I'm taking my Anastrozole religiously everyday. Breathing problems  continued, 53 and I can't even walk up the stairs without gasping. Back at work fulltime and really struggling.

End up with 2 more courses of steroids over the summer , short term answer but back to square one once I stop taking them.

See my surgeon on Friday 11th Nov as a follow from my lumpectomy inAug 21, she clocks  my laboured breathing straight away and says it needs investigating and is now sending me for a CT scan.

On the 14th November I end up being admitted to hospital with a severe asthma attack. I'm there for 3 days.  CT scan shows sign of a healed infection. Sent home with a 6 week course of steroids. By mid January I've stopped the steroids and the breathlessness is back. Another course  of steroids , my 6th in 8 months. Breathlessness back once I stop them. 

Now under the respiratory team at the hospital, new inhaler and still struggling. Random conversation with a lady who said she's on Anastrozole and can't go up & down the stairs without breathing. Ask the question on the Instagram cancer community, three more ladies say they are breathless and take Anastrozole. 

Is this a coincidence? Im just desperate for answers.

Im going to stop taking them for a month and see what Halle s with my asthma. 

Anyone else have experience with this?

Lou 

I think you should do a septette 'thread/post' for this - with so many ladies on Anastrozole - I really think having its own thread will get more ladies to look and respond.

I hope they sort this for you - I will say reading your post it seems like there is something triggering your reactions - and the common at moment looks the anastrozole.

Its like I am on Atenolol - I know my weight doesn't help, but, I am sure this makes me more breathless when I get to top of the stairs, however, nothing that effects me too much.

Hope you find the answers you are looking for xx 

This post is 2 yes old - I feel I need to read current problems and concerns.

It has current posts. 

Good news bone scan is clear.  Fast turnaround.  Tamoxifen is still hanging around.  4 tablets and it’s still in my system after 2 weeks. Picked up prescription and have had to go with letrozole accord, couldn’t get sun. Two weeks before I start taking those, hoping no side effects with that brand.   

So glad your none scan was clear. I've been on Accord for just over a year and side effects are minimal. 

I had achy joints at first but this subsided after a month. 

I hope they suit you too xx

Bone scan....typo

Hi all, I had my first Prostap injection yesterday. The nurse who administered it said to contact my chemo line (I only have the emergency number) if I have any questions.  I don't think I can use that line for non-chemo, non-urgent questions and so I feel a little lost!  Hopefully someone will be able to answer my queries though ... (1) is Prostap given every three months or twelve weeks?  The nurse said 12 weeks, but the Prostap instructions say 3 months; (2) for my third jab I will be in the middle of a two week holiday.  Am I able to get the jab earlier (ie approx 6 days before it's due)?  Otherwise the earliest I will be able to have it will be 14 days afterwards, if you include the weekend and bank holiday - this problem would go away if it was every 3 months!!  I hope someone can help.

Maybe call the emergency chemo line number and ask for the non emergency number.  Do you have a contact number for the medical oncologist?

Barbara

Hello (Tamoxifen and insomnia), 

I started Tamoxifen in Nov 22, everything going fine until Feb23.  My brand changed and then within a week or two had insomnia. Started off with 4 hours sleep and now down to 1 hour. Totally clueless brands could give you different side effects.  My brand has changed again, but my sleep is still 1 hour a night. Also not sure if could be crazy hormone related. Has anyone gone through something similar and what helped? Would do truly appreciate your ideas/thoughts…..

Also can I just say I am following common sense approaches  like exercise, caffeine, electronics, reading..::..

Thank you so much for taking the time to read.