When to Start Anastrazole????

My situation was different.  Had lumpectomy both breasts followed by radiation.  I then saw medical oncologist about a month after radiation and he started me in anastrazole.  So far so good on it.  No joint pain but do have slight fatigue once in awhile and dry mouth at night but ok for now.  I never needed chemo.  You should check with medical oncologist and he will give you answer.  Good luck with everything.  I am still learning so much and have upcoming mammogram and ultrasound in August and then see breast surgeon.  Have a list of questions for him.  

Thanks for that Barbara, I’m glad they’re working ok for you, I’ve spoken to a few people who say the pill’s aren’t too bad, so I’m hopeful . It’s just the hair thing for me right now; having finished chemotherapy just 10 weeks ago, it’s just starting to grow again (albeit slowly). Have you found that your hair is affected (thinning etc.) by them? I hope not, best of luck, and thanks for your feedback xxx

Just read your biography Barbara and saw that you were in HRT….. and that you were “older” at the time of your diagnosis, which is unusual. If you look at my bio, you’ll see that I have a similar tale of HRT. I only took it for about 2 months and wound up with a huge lump in my boob which was, apparently, benign after a couple of tests! But 4 years later it was malignant (I’d stopped the HRT immediately I found the lump). I told the doctors the first time about the HRT and my suspicions that it had caused this lump, but they dismissed it. Then the second time, when I was diagnosed, I banged on and on about it, but again, they dismissed it to the point where they’d written in my notes “NEVER TAKEN HRT” I was furious and insisted that they changed it!!!! I’m convinced that HRT is a bigger risk than we are being told. I think there is a lot of money to be lost by someone if the stats get out there! Just saying, I may be wrong, but we need more info on this. xxxx

I started about 7 weeks ago although stopped for 10 days in the middle as I had carpal tunnel syndrome. (I've had it before) It resolved but a few days after I started the anastrozole again and it came back.but not as bad as I got a splint for my wrist for at night. Onco said it was a rare complication.

Otherwise I have a few pains in.my hands and feet but nothing too bad.  My hair continues to grow great guns doesn't seem to have affected it 

I'm hoping it will all.settle down as many people say it does.  I finish my radiotherapy next week. I'm motivated to try to manage the side effects of anastrozole as there's no way I ever want to have chemo again.

I'm taking magnesium (onco said good for hot flashes) and also loratidine and cbd oil as people on here suggested they had helped. Also considering acupuncture.  I do pilates every day only 10 mins in a morning but I think good for joints. 

Good luck with the tablets they may not be as bad as you think .

Xxx

Also I agree about HRT being very worrying I was on it for a couple of years but thankfully stopped it a year before diagnosis. Otherwise things might have been even worse. 

It seems alot of women on here say they habe been HRT.

Thanks Bobbiboo, good tip there on the magnesium, I’ll certainly give that a go, we’ll try anything, won’t we . Also encouraging news about your hair growth . I definitely need to get on with it and stop being such a scaredy-cat! You’re so right, about avoiding chemotherapy! A few aches and pains are worth it. Thanks for the encouragement xxxxx

Absolutely, I wish I’d never heard of HRT, I’m absolutely convinced that’s what caused this for me and perhaps why I’m reluctant to take Anastrazole, because I don’t believe I have that many natural hormones circulating in my system. But I’m not gonna risk it, I’ll take them!  x

Regarding HRT I was on it starting at age 55 and used bio identical the whole time.  Used different forms from creams, gels, patches and then pellets.  Breast cancer diagnosed at age 72.  Boo boo.  I remember the day I found out I had DCIS and knew no more HRT and I was devastated as I did feel really good on them.  But I do believe that danger lurks in taking them especially for long periods of time.  My surgical oncologist told me he definitely thought it was a risk factor for breast cancer and doesn’t care if it is synthetic or bio identical.  My bone density is great though and he did say that was more likely from the HRT.  High price to pay for good bones.  He gets upset thinking about how many women are getting exposed to all those hormones.  My cancers were ER+ and PR+ 100% for both so they were being fed.  I feel very lucky that I went for my annual mammograms.  Also have dense breasts which is another risk factor.  
The most breasts cancers are found in women between the ages of 70-80 and they contribute that to estrogen exposure. 
I was dreading taking anastrazole but so far it has been ok and my hair has not thinned from it.  Have thick hair but do think it got a little thinner from the stress of having BC snd 2 surgeries etc. 

I really enjoyed the book called Breasts an owner’s manual by Kristi Funk MD.  She is a breast surgeon from California and also says HRT is a big risk factor for BC.  Learned so much from her book and still reading  it.  
I am going to check out your bio snd good luck with everything.  
Barbara

When our ovaries stop estrogen production the liver, fat cells, adrenals make some.  I also asked the medical oncologist if I had to take the same dose as someone who was obese and he said same dose for all sizes.  Was hoping for a reduced dose.  I have been taking anastrazole for 2 months and ok for now.  I just don’t want BC to come knocking on my door again.  Like everyone here we pray for cure and do our best.  Science keeps evolving so we do what is recommended now.  

I was advised to start taking my AI (exemestane) before radiotherapy so that I could report back on side effects by the time I saw the oncologist for the last time. It would have been 3 months I was on exemestane by then, to give a good indication of tolerance. 

In the end I compromised and took them every 2nd day until I was through radiotherapy (about a month) and then started them properly after that.

I don't think it would make much difference to hair regrowth. Mine was very slow to take off until between months 3 and 4, which I think is very common. You'll also be on anatrazole for the whole time your hair is continuing to grow so it will affect it anyway. My hair has grown back virtually the same as before, but just a little bit thinner at the temples, which you don't really notice. It's actually started to grow a bit more there about a year after chemo, so the exemestane isn't necessarily the thing that is making any difference - it's probably still the chemo as my toe nailes still aren't all back to normal, 18 months since stopping chemo.

I would start taking them so that you can discus any side effects with your oncologist. I do speak to a pharmacist oncologist every 6 months before my zoledronic acid infusion, but the discharge appointment is when you would really get a chance to chat everything through.