Has anyone been subscribed anastrozole

pink1958 said:

Arimidex
Thank you for your reply. I will take that into consideration.

CypressCynthia said:

anastrozole
I'm on anastrozole for life or until it stops working as I have bone mets. It is working very well, btw. The only problem that I had was with achiness (especially a neck crick that just wouldn't go away). I had my physician check my vitamin d level as there is much in the literature re vit d helping the aches and pains caused by arimidex (aromatase inhibitors). My level was low and I was prescribed 5000 IU D3 per day. My level is now 55 (normal) and I am feeling tons better. Rare neck pain now--yeah!

My younger sister in San Diego thought it was overkill when they prescribed her femara (another drug in the same family). She didn't take it and then had a local recurrence. She is now also on it probably for life. She has had few side effects.

My older sister in Seattle is on aromasin (I have no idea why we are all on a different drug) and has noticed no side effects at all. She has been on the drug about 3-4 years.

My oldest sister had DCIS and has never taken an aromatase inhibitor but did have bilateral mastectomies. She has been fine for >15 years.

Here is a link about vit d and aromatase inhibitors (arimidex, femara, aromasin):
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/SABCS/17546

They perscribed Arimidex ((Anastrozole) for me also to take for 5 years. I have only just started with the medication 2 days ago. The problem for me, is hot flashes. They are already unbearable, and I've heard the Arimidex can make them worse....my dr also perscribed me Effexor to help this issue, but I am reluctant to take it as I am just NOT a pill taker of any kind, and now I'll be taking two. Also, I am a bit affraid of starting an anti-deperssant since I am not depressed...they tell me it is a very low dose though. 37.5 mg per day. Anyone else take this combo and how does it work for you??

MissGina said:

4 yrs. 363 days to go

They perscribed Arimidex ((Anastrozole) for me also to take for 5 years. I have only just started with the medication 2 days ago. The problem for me, is hot flashes. They are already unbearable, and I've heard the Arimidex can make them worse....my dr also perscribed me Effexor to help this issue, but I am reluctant to take it as I am just NOT a pill taker of any kind, and now I'll be taking two. Also, I am a bit affraid of starting an anti-deperssant since I am not depressed...they tell me it is a very low dose though. 37.5 mg per day. Anyone else take this combo and how does it work for you??

 

Over time, I have taken different combos and ugh it is rough finding the combo that works for you.    

I get mad and think I am going off this stuff!  and then I try to and find out they are working after all.  We are all alike yet different.  

I could not take Effexor at all.  It made me so angry and emotional.   I take Lexpro.  It does help the anxiety.  Low dose is all I need.

I take Arimidex and it works.  Yes there are side effect, joint pain.  I cant get around that.   It is what it is. 

Read about the meds, talk to your docs and hang in there.

Hugs and prayers,

Annie

Teach76 said:

Switched from Anastrozole to Letrozole (Femara)

After active treatment I was prescribed Armidex.  After 4 months and a series of testing by PC, Onco, and ENT, I finally convinced them that my constant sore throat was a side effect.  I went off the Armidex for a month, and the sore throat went away.  I went back on and in a week the pain was back.

 

I have had sore throats that come and go for no reason.  

Always something.  ugh

Hugs,

Annie

QTbug said:

2 months on Anastrazole

I've been on it for 2 months (need for 10yrs) - I would've said I had no said effects, but now I'm wondering if my constant fatigue is from that as well as the 7 months of harsh chemo & radiation.  Who can say for sure really?  

I take it w/other vitamins during my biggest meal of the day, typically early evening, I don't feel any more or less tired after taking it.  I have bone ache, but that never went away since the chemo, so again, what's the cause, the chemo or Anastrazole?

The way I see it - do we have a choice?  We can refuse treatment/drugs & take our chances, or we can take what they give us & hope for the best.  I choose the latter.  I count on the fact that TONS of research has gone into these drugs, they work well for most of us, listen to your body - you'll know if it's not right.

We are all pawns in the cancer treatment game.  I'm still adjusting to this 'new normal,' & still hoping that the 'new improved' me will emerge from the cocoon soon.  

Good luck!

I had a similar experience - a great deal of fatigue and joint pain.  I also had a reaction of a sore throat that would not go away, so I was switched to Femara.  I agree that this is the best decision for us - the research and success percentages give us hope for no recurrence.  I do get frustrated with my joint and tendon pain.  Some days I think about stopping, but then I think of the alternative.

Know that others share your pain. 10 years seems like a tough sentence, but I will take 10 years with minor inconveniences vs. losing out on those 10 years because I made a " selfish " decision.

Kathy

I was on Anastrozole for about 5 years after my stage 3 BC diagnosis with chemo, radiation, and a bi-lateral mastectomy. I think it delayed a recurrence until last year and now I am back on anastrozole and Ibrance with stage 4. I take Duloxetine with it so perhaps that mitigates some of the side effects.