Anastrozole

Please watch some of the great BCNA webinars to help eleviate your anxiety. Many women take then with no problems at all, or just make some minior lifestlye changes. Its importnat to discuss your personal risk of reoccurance and benefits based on your own diagnosis and fully understand what and why it has been prescribed for you, as everyone has different levels of risk and benfits

Hi Mazza1949 
I started off on Letrozole and then Exemestane before settling in on Anastrozole for over 6 years ..... Anastrozole was by far, the most suitable AI for me, with hardly any side effects - and those were manageable.  I am nearly 72. 

Your Onc would have told you about the 'possible' side effects, so that is good that he is acknowledging it 'may' happen ....  but it doesn't mean you will get them! (my original Onc dismissed my side effects, basically saying he'd not heard of any from anyone else!  I swapped Oncs & they immediately changed my AI.)   
Maybe, ask him if you can 'start slow' (taking one every other day for a few weeks, or even building up to the full dose even slower) so it isn't a 'big hit' at the start (I wish I'd done that 7 years ago!) ....   I am actually weaning OFF them now, as I finish up completely in a couple of months!
As the girls have said - give them a 'go' for at least a few months - that will be long enough to see how you are affected .... and if you find they are causing too many side effects, have that discussion with your Onc about either trying a different one, or reducing the dose .... 
Are you fairly active?  If your quality of life and ability to 'do things' that you enjoy IS impacted by the meds  .... have another chat with your Onc
Take care & all the best xx

Hi Mazza1949, I have been taking anastrozole for 8 years now. I've had no bad side effects, just 'clumpy' stiff feet to start with but that soon went away. I'm 71 now, so in the same ball park as you! Best wishes from jennyss in Western NSW

I also had an invasive lobular carcinoma diagnosed in August 2024. I started hormone blockers in December after finishing radiation after 2 lumpectomies (the second one to gain clear margins). I started on Anastrozole but had significant joint issues with my hands that impacted my fine motor skills so moved to Exemestane which I have had less issues with. Blocking estrogen will always cause some side effects for most of us - dry skin, hair breakage, joint pain of varying levels, hot flushes, headaches but it’s different for everyone. Some people tell me they barely notice the difference.  The truth is you’ll only know what impacts YOU once you try it. The upside is you’re able to move to other types easily and they all impact you slightly differently but your oncologist can help you navigate that.

While I certainly don’t love the impact it’s had on me (after years of painful periods my entry into menopause had been a symptom free breeze for the 2 years I’d been period free so I feel pretty cheated) but for me knowing this decreases my chance of cancer recurrence means I’ll stick with it. I will say Veoza tablets have been a god send and have made the hot flushes bearable - definitely ask for that if you get them.

My best advice is try it, try the others if you need options and then make a decision. Only you will know what you’re willing to live with and how you’d feel if you chose not to take them and the cancer came back. 

Best of luck. 

Hi Mazza1949

I was taking exemestane and my oncologist switched me to anastrozole a few weeks ago. She said the side effect profiles were similar.  So far so good just the usual random hot flushes and some random joint pain occasionally but all in all not too bad.  If you read what the side effects of panadol were you'd never take it! As others have said give it a go and if your side effects are too horrendous you can always stop it or switch to something else  (on your oncologist advice of course!).

Best wishes for your treatment!  

Ive been on anastrozole for 7 years The are a few mild side effects for me I did have a switch for a short period to tamoxifen but went back to anastrozole. The side effects were worst when initially started then settled down. 
i have found if I don’t move about enough the joints ache more. 
theres no harm in trying and see how you go. 

Most people are on some form of hormone blockers after surgery. Your dr has assessed your risk of reoccurance and recommended a treatment ie those pills. It is definitely worth trying. You may experience no side effects. Not everyone does. Give it a go and see how it is. If that medication causes side effects, there are others. You really don't want to have to go through it all again with a reoccurance or mets. Best wishes