anastrozole oral side effects

Goodness -- @jgjackieg - I'm so sorry to hear about the dental. I have been told by my medical oncologist Anastrozole can cause bone loss, and that it's a typical effect. I have solid bones everywhere but in both hips, where I have some onset of Osteopenia (a precursor to Osteoporosis), so my doctor is going to discuss medication to thwart bone loss or help increase bone density, with me. Perhaps look into this with yours?

I am currently on Lupron injections to suppress my ovaries and cause menopause abruptly (I have my regular menstrual cycle still) and then will also be on Anastrozole for 10 years.

🙄

I was diagnosed stage 2A and have been in anastrazole for over 14 years. I suffer massive bone loss and my teeth are falling out of my head with really bad eyesight issues. If anyone can suggest where I can get an oral surgeon to help remove all the broken teeth and get dentures. I'm having recurring teeth infections and having issues recovering from them. Need to get these teeth out quickly before it becomes deadly and I have no dental insurance only Medicare and I truly can't afford to pay. Anyone able to help me find help and someone that will take payments for her won't make me lose everything I have, please I'm getting desperate now

thank you

Lynn NJ

I am troubled by what i am reading about this drug. I just started Anastrozole 1mg, I believe this is my 2nd week. I too developed Osteopenia due to my chemo treatment. I am on the above drug now for the next 7-10yrs, with Zomta shots every 6months (Bone density loss drug.) Its put through my Port takes about 15 mins once they do my blood work. (Check Kidney Function.) Reading these posts kinda scare me, i know we are all different so, what some may experience others won't still.... I wish everyone who is on this drug the best of luck.

Confession: I may have realized I am finding your voice particularly resonant and "stabilizing," if this makes any sense. 🤷‍♀️ I recall your diagnoses and subsequent treatments and ongoing process in detail. And I think because mine is (not in exactity, but, close) similar and with similar timing - plus, that your input seems equal parts pragmatic and experiential - it supports my own uncertainties and provides a little clarity to my experience.

By the way, I have 5 more radiation treatments (21 down) to the left chest go with tissue expanders, and yeah, I'm having to take a dark red parallelogram across it down to a pink lady apple-hue daily with 5 creams/ointments I mix, 4 times daily. My back is also burned right over the (small, delicate) tattoo I JUST got for the 1st time ever last year above my blade. And following this hoopla I begin Anastrozole and resume the Lupron shots I had to pause to get through all of this.

I had a very stoic medical oncologist and researched and found another experienced one at the same hospital I feel infinitely comfortable with. This change, along with the new decades-older friend I met at the radiation clinic and now check in with daily during his prostate cancer journey-solo, has given me a will I was depleted of even before diagnosis.

I know you @LovePrimes are about a month into your recovery from your reconstruction, yes? How are you doing? Are drains close to being removed? How are you doing, if I might ask?

@LifeInBloom100 Thank you for the compliment. It actually means a great deal at the moment. I am a mathematician and I have been mostly objective and logical about most things in life (much to the consternation of many loved ones). But I feel like, when it comes to breast cancer, I have been overly emotional and, at times, irrational. I literally grew up watching my aunts die from breast cancer and then lost my sister and mother 18 months apart in grad school. (Sister to ovarian and mother to breast.) So, a lifetime of cancer-related trauma has clearly fed into my response to my own breast cancer experience. Maybe if I’m becoming a “stabilizing” voice, it means my two “selves” are reconciling?

I am now 30 days out from DIEP surgery and still have 1 of the original 4 drains in. I’m frustrated but output has finally dropped below their desired level so they should take it out at my post-op appointment Tuesday. I have two family members in the house that tested positive for Covid but I tested negative. Hoping I continue to avoid it.

Overall, I’m doing okay. It’s a tough surgery and recovery. They were not lying. But I’m taking meds less often. I’m getting around a little more. And, with feeling a little more of my brain coming back, I’m going to try some more intellectual pursuits in my remaining four weeks of leave. I’ve recently come to terms with the fact that though I’m off work for 8 weeks, my recovery is going to take much, much longer. And, of course, it will be a couple more months before we can determine if revision surgery is needed.

Wishing you the best as you continue to heal and recover!

I am sorry to hear about all the issues experienced with Anastrozole 1mg.

I was put on it for 5 yr minimum. I’m on my 3rd week, with no symptoms.

i take right before getting into bed each night.

my doctor gave suggestions: weight bearing exercises, weights, yoga, stretch Pilates, ballroom dance all the things I already normally did, along with eating healthy (NO sugar and No alcohol), as that will cause inflammation in body, as I already have osteopenia, arthritis in lower back and left hip. Meditation and nature walks it’s interesting how all that works together along with thinking . my doctor will check kidney and more bloodwork in 4 months, bone density every 2 yrs,

a friend of family, much older than me had taken it and completed her 5 years and is doing great and also had no symptoms. So that gave me hope after reading some of the possible issues, some are having with it.

also, my doctor reminded me that IF my first one given Anastrozole didn’t work for me there’s two more. Also, I read they may cause raised cholesterol. Which I struggle with so letting my doctor know that these are my concerns- were helpful in her giving me this one first vs the others. Each case is different make sure one is proactive, and checked along the way.

Well, I do hope all experiencing issues and or side effects get the information and help you need to feel better asap.

I am on Anastrozole and have been since 2021, I also take Lutron injections and Zometa infusions. Anyone experienced severe depression, brain fog, and bone pain?

I’m so sorry to hear that, and everything you are going through. Yes I think the hormones Definitely have something to do with the behavior. Being on these hormones is killing me. So much so I am going to ask my oncologist if I can come off them and what that will mean for my cancer reoccurring. I wish you all the luck in the world!

I started with Letrozole last year. After 2 months, I had severe joint pain so my onco switched me to Anastrozole. 2 months after taking that, I had severe bone pain in my left arm, I thought I was having a heart attack so I stopped taking it and my symptoms disappeared. My onco then suggested I try Exemastane. 2 months after using that I felt an uncomfortable tightness and pain on the left side of my chest which after explaining the symptoms, she said to stop taking it bec it may be affecting my heart. I am at a cross roads and am not sure what to do now. I don't like the feeling of sacrificing other organs and and bones for this medication. And of course, I don't want the cancer to return. I am looking into alternative therapies and just curious if anyone else has tried this route.