When to Start Anastrazole????

They should do some proper research on the use of HRT and bc incidence. I believe there has been a big increase in the use of HRT since davina mcCall promoted it. 

I had absolutely no risk factors other than taking HRT for 2 years. I.been a health freak all my life. I'm sure it's to blame. I wish I'd never heard of it too.

But we have to deal with what we have now and take the risk reducing meds and work at staying healthy. 

Xx

I’m convinced mine was hormonal contraceptives- lump appeare three years after progestin mirena coil was put in. I’m convinced it was that. They do need to be more honest about how fake hormones impact risk x

It would be interesting to see how many (what %) women on this forum have been exposed to HRT or similar. x

I took HRT for 3 years before my diagnosis, apart from that no other obvious risk factors. As I imagine many of us did,  I asked the doctor “what did I do wrong” and he said I’ve just been “unfortunate”. That messes with my head sometimes…

But at 54 I do have way above average bone density and cardio fitness, so maybe that was the benefit of HRT…or all the years of exercising, who knows.

I’m working on the basis that I should have bugger all natural hormones left after a natural menopause 6 years ago and no HRT plus AIs to strip out anything that might be floating around. Everything crossed xx

I agree and my breast surgeon says a definite yes to HRT as risk factor.  My risk factors were dense breasts, female in 70’s, HRT use and drank red wine with meals about 4 days a week.  Started the red wine after I retired in 2015.  I also have been a healthy woman with good habits and eat plant based too.  
The jury is still debating about HRT and breast cancer risk but the breast surgeons all are on board that it is a definite risk factor.  I believe it highly contributed to my getting it as I had taken bio identical HRT for 17 years.  I had planned on taking it til my number was up.  One positive thing from HRT is my bones are great and no osteoporosis but at what price.  I have always exercised too.  I am working on thinking positive things about my cancer and taking it as a wake up call and living in the present it’s a gift.  I didn’t make up that phrase it came from animated film Kung Fu Panda!! Love it

Take care and love all you wonderful women who open up your hearts and share.

Quick update! Finally started the Anastrazole just over a week ago (just so that I could tell onco if they were ok or not). Anyway, FYI, I’m absolutely fine….. don’t feel any different than I did before! I know it’s early days, but I’m hopeful it continues in that vein! . Is it just me or do we all concentrate on the side effects assuming we’re going to suffer from them, even though it’s actually a minority of people that do. Going to keep my positive head on. Best of luck everyone xx

Hi there, glad you are feeling well on anastrazole and hope it keeps going.  I have been on it for almost 3 months and the only side effect that I have is very dry mouth at night.  Sometimes my lips feel stuck together too.  I put on cerave healing ointment at night to my lips and if I wake up and feel dry I get some water and go back to sleep. My skin feels a little drier too but I moisturize it more.  Very thankful as I know it is important to take it.  Take care and my medical oncologist told me most women tolerate it well.  Hope so.

Barbara

Now that you mention it, my mouth is a bit dry, nothing too extreme, a quick swig of water does the trick….. I’d put it down to the hot weather. If that’s the worst that happens, it’s all good! Best of luck going forward Barbara! xxx

ItHi Mazz.

Glad you are feeling okay on anastrozole. 

My side effects started in the second week, aching joints and carpal tunnel (which I think is unusual). Now 9 weeks on I'm feeling much better just a stiff back.in.the mornings but it was like that before. Sometimes have a bit of aching in the lower legs but not too bad.

I do a lot of exercise usually so am.getting back to cycling and continued to walk throughout.

I do feel tired after it all but not too bad.

So if you do start getting some side effects don't be despondent as they may well settle.

I had IV zolendrenic acid and that was fine.  No side effects. I'm starting on abemaciclib soon so I'll see what that brings.

I take magnesium apparently the anasttozole depletes it.  I also take vitamins aimed at bones with glucosamine in and also loratidine at the moment as  others on here have said it helps with joint aches.

All is looking good. Keep smiling 

Xxx

Thanks for that, the onco prescribed vitamin D to complement the bone protection. I’m going to have a go with magnesium, whatever helps is worth a try. I’ll probably be better nourished than I was before Ha Ha! Hope you continue to prosper on it, we need to just do what we can I guess. Only thing I turned down was the biphosphate things, they sound scary. Best of luck, keep smiling xxxx