Anastrozole for postmenopausal women

She really made me think about AIs and risk . I wish they were all like her !

1. Hi, I was 56 when diagnosed, but had no menopausal symptoms at the time. Fast forward 2 years and I am now on a break from Anastrazole due to all the side affects. Depression, insomnia, hot flashes, day and night sweats, joint pain, fatigue +++
   I too had a 1% prediction but for me it’s about quality rather than quantity. 
   Because I had not experienced any of these issues prior to the medication it was a huge change that I was totally unprepared for. 
   I was offered painkillers, antidepressants and sleeping tablets to help but it just doesn’t sit right with me to have to combat one tablets side affects with yet another tablet.

I completely understand how you feel.  With a 1% number it is difficult to continue if you feel terrible and just have to keep adding more meds.  I heard on the podcast menopause and cancer by this medical oncologist that everyone is automatically put on either tamoxifen or an AI at the beginning and if they tolerate it no problem.  Seems the oncologists still feel there is a benefit long after the medication is finished.  I had a very small tumor 3mm stage 1 grade 2 in one breast and dcis in the other one so both the surgical and medical oncologist wanted me to be on the AI.  I am going to talk to my medical oncologist again at next visit about it.  I am doing ok on it but 3 more years is a long time to be on the drug if I am not going to get more benefits than harm.  Take care and it is not easy.

Hi Hopeful Barb  I've just watched 2 of the Dani Binnington podcasts they are really good. The one on Tamoxifen and Aromatase inhibitors was excellent. Thanks for the tip. I will now be watching many others I'm sure.

I watch her all the time and such great guests.  She just had Dr Liz O’Riordzn on about a week or two ago snd excellent as well.  Dani’s story is inspirational too.  Gllad you liked it.  

Hi Helen pp

i have been taking Anastazole foe 5 months now, following lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I am find the side effects really horrible. I can cope with the hot flushes, but the muscle and bone pain is pretty constant. I really don’t want to feel like this for the next 4 1/2 years. I spoke to BC nurse this week and she said all AIs have side effects and I should stick with it. 

Hi Minty.  Thank you for replying.  Yes, i have been looking into it and it does seem that there are side effects, most of which i already suffer with and my concern is that taking the meds will exacerbate things.  I wish you all the best.  I saw a presentation on youtube by a Dr and it said that exercise has quite a significant improvement on the side effects - but then you have to feel able to exercise in the first place.  The oncologist said to me that if Anastazole was a problem, i could change to others - so i would push for that if i were you. xxxx Good luck. xx

thank you for sharing Barbara.  xxx Good luck.  xxx

Hi Norske.  Totally agree with you.  Quality of life is important.  I had early menopause and suffered badly.   I think I'm going to go for the full breast radiation instead of partial with meds.  I do have a month's worth of anastrozole to test first, which is useful but... think i've already made my mind up.  I suffer with depression and its important for me to put things behind me and move forward, same with anyone really. xxx Thank you for sharing. 

I had Breast Cancer in 2015, after chemo surgery and radiotherapy I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years then switched to Anastrozole. The Anastrozole gave me night sweats, insomnia and chronic pains in my legs and arms. I put up with it as it was ' stopping the cancer coming back'. Unfortunately for me it did not work and I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in my other breast last week, and I'm still taking Anastrozole. Whether it would have come back sooner if I wasn't taking it nobody can say. Good Luck with whatever you decide.