Anastrozole and osteopenia
Moderator moved @tom post from 'Activity' section to 'test, Treatments and Side Effects': tom Hello my name is Molly would like to hear feedback on bone density, I have osteopenia have been on Anastrozole for the past 3 years been advised to stop if I want to . diagnosed with DCIS early breast cancer in 2019 Cheers 😊
AI side- effects
Hi all, recently commenced and AI, and wondering if side- effects reduce over time. I was feeling pretty good, but since starting have had trouble sleeping, felt a bit down and stressed out and tired, achy hips and ankles and on an emotional roller coaster again, keep putting on weight... any advice or tips. Bloody Breast cancer is the gift that keeps giving. I also feel like I can’t multitask or remember stuff, it’s 1.5 years after treatment, for me, I think I feel pretty good, then have a set back....
Hormone blockers
I’m seriously considering stopping my hormone blocker. I’m off it at the moment since Monday and won’t take this one again. I’m talking to oncologist tomorrow, and will discuss maybe a different one. I’ve been taking Anastrozole since May last year. The trouble is I have several preexisting conditions, all made worse by the drug, plus a few new ones. I can cope with pain, tinnitus, anxiety, hot flushes, etc, but my dysautonomia is becoming much worse, and my reflux was so bad I spent Monday in hospital with the doctors thinking I had a heart attack. I already have Barrett’s and risk oesophageal cancer if it is not controlled. I have done everything possible and am taking high strength drugs for it. I had to stop one because it increases prolactin so is contraindicated in hormone positive breast cancer. My dysautonomia has got so bad I can stand only a few seconds without blacking out. The drugs that help make the Barrett’s worse, so not taking them. The oncologist said the blockers give me a 2% extra survival rate over ten years. I’m taking Aerius in the hope it works as well in Qld as Europe to stop recurrence. I really feel by trying to stop the recurrence with blockers I’m highly risking oesophageal cancer, which has a 5% survival rate over five years. It’s not as though I will become well in ten years if I take the blockers. My conditions are mostly genetic. I also have mast cell activation disorder, which means I become anaphylactic to all sorts of things including some of the supplements people take. Does anyone know or is there anyone here who has stopped taking them and is doing well?How do you know what is a side effect and what is nothing much?
I have several health issues and autonomic dysfunction is a big one along with neck and back issues. I’ve been packing to move house so lots of bending etc. I started Anastrozole about ten days ago and tonight have been very off balance. I get dizzy sometimes, but this is slightly different but could be from the bending and packing. It is listed as a side effect to see the doctor about, but it’s not getting worse, just making me walk into things, like I’m trying to walk on a trampoline. Has anyone has this from this drug? I’ll call the hospital tomorrow if it’s no better, but I’m sick of the sight of the place....even if
Anti hormone therapy, Anastrozole, sexual function
I am 66 and was diagnosed with early breast cancer, estrogen positive, in June and have had breast conservation surgery and completed 16 treatments of radiation last week. On Monday I have to see my medical oncologist who will give me the yeah or nay to anti hormone therapy on Anastrozole for five years. The treatments seem to be getting more problematic as I advance through them. The surgery in hindsight seems like a breeze. The literature on the side effects of Anastrozole are mind blowing; going through menopause (again), I am a lesbian so why I want a men-o-pause is beyond me (joke!), nausea, vomiting, elevated cholesterol, fluid retention, joint pains, dry vagina, bone loss, loss of sexual desire. I have read of women who have had negative changes in the way they view their bodies and sexual functioning and desire but I am having a different experience. After the operation I became aware for the first time in my life how much I appreciate my breasts and I want them to be a part of my identity. When I first grew breasts, I saw them as a restriction to playing cricket with the neighbourhood kids. I never saw their power and beauty before now. The other major change for me sexually is that the sex switch in my brain has been turned on again. I am single and am now contemplating and fantasising on sharing intimacy, loving and sex with another woman as a part of my future. A number of years ago I was going through a difficult patch and had shut down any thoughts of this to help cope getting through everyday life. I would love to hear your thoughts on any of the above. What has been your experience on Anastrozole and the side effects. Thanks for reading my story and I thank you in advance for your input. Many of the discussions and responses on this site have helped me enormously with questions I have had over the past few months.
