Anastrozole -scared to take it!

Hi Etumelty43

Welcome to the forum, I'm Daisy53 one of the Community Champions on this forum.  I've been on anastrozole for just over a year now and apart from a few hot flushes I've had no problems with it.  My oncologist told me I could start taking it straight away or wait until after my radiotherapy to start it.  I decided to start it while having my radiotherapy and it didn't make any difference side effects wise.

Wishing you the best of luck with Radiotherapy.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Thank you Daisy53. I am hoping my side effects are the same as yours not the horror stories some women have

Hi,

It's difficult dealing with the fear of the unknown. I started taking anastrozole (reluctantly) about a week after my radiotherapy ended, encouraged by my consultant. 

I had side effects for the first seven months, but tbh, without looking back at my previous posts I've forgotten what they were. Apart from the vaginal dryness which was nearly the last straw - but easily sorted with an oestradial prescription.

So, keep a log of any side effects and check them out with your care team - they have loads of experience in managing side effects. I also had low iron picked up for another reason which was causing tiredness, so keep an eye on your general health. 

The breast care team also prescribed Calci-D to support my bone health, and recommended taking a good multi-vitamin.

And with 3 clear years of annual mammograms, I'm kind of glad I've stuck with the little tablets. 

It's not an easy decision, and I remember a lot of internal discussion with myself in the early days about whether I wanted to give them up  - but it is a treatment that now gives me a lot of reassurance that I'm doing as much as I can to guard against a recurrence.

Good Luck.

Thank you ️. I will take them and see how they are ….. it’s just the lack of sleep I’m worried about, anything else I can handle!