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Suki's avatar
Suki
Member
7 months ago

Tamoxifen to Anastrazole

Hi All

I was 47 years old and pre-menopausal at diagnosis, but chemo caused menopause.  I have been on Tamoxifen for approx. 18 months.  I've had some of the expected side effects, but also some post-menopausal vaginal bleeding which was confirmed ok after a hyteroscopy.

I have recently changed from Tamoxifen to Anastrazole, now that I am in permanent menopause.  I understand that joint pain is a fairly common side effect, but I feel a bit like I have the flu.  Is this similar to how others have felt?

Thanks in advance and hope everyone is going well xx

joint pain

5 Replies

  • Katie46's avatar
    Katie46
    Member
    7 months ago

    Hi Suki​ 

    I'm on Letrozole and Goserelin injections as I wad pre menopausal when I was diagnosed. I initially felt very stiff and had muscle aches, not severe, but definitely very noticeable, particularly if I was sitting down for ling periods of time, and I felt very creaky until I got moving. 

    I noticed that over time it settled down a lot and 18 months in its now pretty mild and stretching and keeping active with walking and aqua aerobics really helps.

    I feel like the worse symptoms were caused by the rapid loss of oestrogen and now my body has adapted to living without it.

    I'm waiting for a hysterectomy and ovary removal so I won't need the Goserelin, and I wonder if that will make any difference.

    • Suki's avatar
      Suki
      Member
      7 months ago

      Thanks for your reply Katie46​ 

      You are correct - I probably didn't give the Anastrazole enough time.  I too had menopause symptoms from the rapid loss of oestrogen - I'm glad to hear your body has adapted and I feel like mine is too.  Exercise definitely helps!

      If I get any further uterine symptoms from the Tamoxifen, I'll probably have a hysterectomy also.  Hope all goes well for yours.

  • Suki's avatar
    Suki
    Member
    7 months ago

    Thanks for your comments.

    By way of update - I couldn't hack the Anastrazole and have gone back to Tamoxifen.  Feeling constantly "off" with body aches and the fear of getting osteoporosis outweighed the fear of recurrence and uterine issues. 

    Its a tough choice, but I'm comfortable now with the Tamoxifen!  And I can always give AI's another go in the future.

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    7 months ago

    Hi Suki​ 

    Tamoxifen is the only AI that I DIDN'T try!  LOL   Did you have any joint pain with it?

    Do you come from an arthritis background?   I did - and all the other AIs gave me joint pain - but the least pain was from the 'last one' I was put onto - Anastrazole!  So hopefully you won't get any of the side effects! Not every one does.

    I never felt 'fluey' tho ... I was on it for about 7 years - I finished AIs 12 months ago.

    I hope you are going well xx. take care & all the best for this next part of your treatment xx

    • Violet123's avatar
      Violet123
      Member
      7 months ago

      Hi arpie,

      Again I feel better prepared after reading your post. Hearing that you were on the hormone blockers for seven years, again, was reassuring. I really trust my oncologist and team, who are great communicators, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

      Hope you are going well xxx