Forum Discussion

LibbyA's avatar
LibbyA
Member
6 years ago

Anastrozole dosage.

Has anyone tried, preferably after medical advice, taking a day off Anastrozole every so often?    I had the very best day yesterday. I cleaned my house.  My eyesight was normal. I had only normal pain.  I have a chronic condition that causes pain.  Even my tinnitus was much less.
At first I thought I’d turned the corner.......until......I realised I hadn’t taken my tablets the night before, including my Anastrozole.
Last night I went back on it and today I’m back to crappy.
I was wondering about taking a day off every fortnight just to feel normal, and wondered if anyone was doing that.
anastrazole
medication
  • kezmusc's avatar
    kezmusc
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi @LibbyA,

    Although I am on a different drug, when I had only been taking it a short time, a day or two did make a huge difference.  I think the longer you have been on it the longer the effects take to go.  Being only 6 weeks, one day could well have made the difference.  I know it did for me at the beginning.
    xoxoxox
  • LibbyA's avatar
    LibbyA
    Member
    6 years ago
    I’ve never had it until I started the Anastrozole. Oncologist said it is fairly common.  It’s awful.
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    6 years ago
    Interesting, @LibbyA ... I’ve had tinnitus for decades and I don’t think the Arimidex has made it any worse .... tho I have noticed my eyesight being a bit blurry, today in particular!  
  • LibbyA's avatar
    LibbyA
    Member
    6 years ago
    Thanks guys.  I’ve only been on it six weeks.  The pain isn’t that much different to my normal days as I have other issues.  It’s mostly the tinnitus, which the oncologist said was the one that stops some people using it.   I still had it but much less. It’s back to really loud today. My eyesight us okay again today. It seems odd it was that day after I didn’t take my meds.  The other meds I have missed before without much difference, so that is the only new one.  
  • kmakm's avatar
    kmakm
    Member
    6 years ago
    @LibbyA My oncologist says it takes six weeks for it to go completely out of your system. I doubt one day would make a major difference. Send your oncologist an email and ask though. Would be good to know. You could be reacting to the coatings or fillers. Have you tried other brands?
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    6 years ago
    How long have you been on it, @LibbyA - Many Oncs will give you 2-4 weeks 'holiday' after 6 months+ if the side effects are really affecting you.  Having one day off now & then wouldn't normally make a difference - but good that you had that day of respite anyway!

    I've been on it (Arimidex) for some months now & am hardly having any side effects (so far!)  I had shocking side effects with Letrozole (only lasted 6 weeks) and then tried Exemestane & was good for 6 months before the side effects showed up again!  So happy to stay on Arimidex just now!!

    My thumbs were a real problem but they've come good now.  Fingers crossed, it stays that way!!

    Take care, all the best
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    6 years ago
    I wouldn't think one day off would eliminate all side effects it tends to take weeks. So maybe you just had a good day.