User Reviews for anastrozole oral

I had been taking this med for 2 years and having checks up for breast cancer with cancer free results, however since I started taking this med I noticed a decreased on my libido effects.

Diagnosed Stage 1 1.8cm 0/1 node in 3/15, 30 rads, switched from Tamo to anastrozole 4 months ago. No side effects except hot flashes some skin changes..so far so good

Was taking tamoxifen for 3.5 years and felt tired all the time. Oncologist said try this instead. The first year was not much different but over time I have become more and more fatigued, already take antidepressant, faint, hot-flashes, weakness, dizzy, joint pain, back ache, head aches, bone pain in my lower legs, lymphedema (had but worse) and now my left leg is tingling, numb and swollen. GP said it was not a blood clot so I believe it's caused by this medication. I've been on hormone therapy for 7 years. Enough is enough. I want my life back. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. Read More Read Less

Only on this for 3 months, and really the only thing is I found is that I am so "gassey" and get stomach aches. Does this happen with anyone else?? For one week I took it every other day and definitely felt better on the days I didn't take it. My chance for cancer return according to the onco-2 test is only 3%. Worth staying on this drug?

I took this medication for six months following surgery for infiltrating ductal carcinoma. I had surgery and radiation, which was hard enough, but the medication was too hard to tolerate. Overall pain, much like fibromyalgia. Also weight gain. My doctor agreed to allow me to stop the medication, but warned that the cancer could return. Not sure what I will do now, but my quality of life was severely impacted and I am 68 years old. I would like to enjoy whatever time I have left without severe pain.Read More Read Less

very bad joint swelling, hot flashes all the time, choppy sleep, weight gain, thinning skin and now hair. on this for over 4 years and will be stopping soon. my dr "joked" it was the drug that would turn me into a old fat man. I am not laughing anymore.

I have been on little over a year. The pain is so bad in my elbows, hands, and where I would call my pelvis. All on the right side mostly. Itchy skin has been horrible on my back. Getting ready to contact Oncologist to see if there is something else I can take. Took about 6-8 months for side effects.

I have just started taking anastrazole. I am having insomnia, some memory loss, ankles hurt and hot flashes. I don't know if it's effective yet so no comment on that. I was told that it will be good for me to take. Only time will tell. For sure I would rather take the pill than go experience more cancer.

I was diagnosed with DCIS in 2014.Had surgery and radiation therapy. After the radiation therapy I started on anastrozole. In that time frame I have experienced muscle and severe joint pain. Also weakness in both hands. I am not able to do simple tasks that I normally took for granted, like gardening, which I love. My oncologist can only offer a prescription pain med. More side effects. Not going there. The pain makes me depressed and makes it almost impossible to exercise. I still work which is mainly a distraction from the pain. My husband asked what I wanted for Christmas and I told him he couldn't get me what I wanted. I just want one day without pain.Read More Read Less

Used for just over 5 years from age 55-60. Did not have any obvious side effects. Cancer recurred 8 months after finishing: very small lump. Wish I had stayed on it. Now taking Exemestane which is causing me problems: nausea, muscle and joint aches.

I had a lumpectomy in November 2013. I started taking this drug after my radiation. I do not experience any side effects on this drug, except hair thinning. Is there anything out there to counteract hair thinning?

I will reach the 5 year mark and over the last year I've had pain in both feet. I hope to stop taking it soon.

It has been a year. I have gained weight, my stomach is swollen and hard. I get chest pains, stabbing pain in the side of my head, back pain, can't move my left arm back, severe sweats, dizziness, cough, mouth sores, brittle nails, knee pain, stomach pains, itchy skin. The weight gain is disturbing. I always had a flat stomach, now I can't even hold it in because of it being hard. I eat all organic and even make my own bread and desserts, to avoid any chemicals. I don't go to sleep until 1 or 2 am, wake up at 6 am. Hard to get a good night of sleep. I have 4 more years of this pill. I told my oncologist that I will be 200 pounds, at the rate of weight gain. She said it would become stable. I hope so.Read More Read Less

I am writing for my mom (who is 83 years old) and was diagnosed w/stage 2 BC. She is also a type 2 diabetic. At first everything seemed to be okay. But within the last 3 months, her hands are numb, badly swollen feet/ankles. But the worse is the mood changes! forgetfulness, confusion, irritable, eyes hurting....

Stage IIa breast cancer- tumor removed with clear margins Dec 2014. No lymph node involvement (2 removed). Limited chemo ( had to stop due to total intolerance, per oncologist recommendation). Completed radiation. Been on this med for 2 months. Nauseated constantly. Joint aches, hot flashes, numbness/tingling and swelling in right hand, sore breast, fatigued, and itchy. Skin is terribly dry ( much worse than during radiation) and psoriasis is worsening. I don't think I can last 5 years with this medication. Read More Read Less

I've been taking the drug for just over 4 months after a lumpectomy and radiation. Mild side effects until just recently and now I have experienced weight gain and joint pain. I don't see my oncologist for another 5 months but may want an earlier appointment if the pain gets worse.

I have been on this medication for 3 months.The first few weeks seemed to be just a loss of appetite.Then, I am now experiencing insomnia with hot flashes.I had a double mastectomy but no chemo or radiation.Am hoping that these side effects will not get worse are currently bearable.My Oncologist has been very supportive and explained how important it is to hang in there.I do suggest what helps me with the side effects is to manage stress with light excercise and a warm bath.

Diagnosed end of 2008; early 2009 two lumpectomy surgeries, more than half of my lymph nodes removed, chemo, radiation and a 5 yr. treatment program of Anastrozole. Yes, I have aches/pains; yes, I experienced hair loss, weight gain, chronic cough, embarrassingly sweaty hot flashes, etc. like so many others have stated. But I'm glad I stuck with it and finally nearing the end. Was it worth it? YOU BET! For me, the side affects are a small price to pay for being cancer free! Hang in there-we are all strong cancer warriors!Read More Read Less

About 6mos after I started this medication I started having severe joint pain especially in my knees. I scream in pain everytime I get up from my sofa. My knees almost feel like a pretzel that I can snap in half. I had to buy another kitchen set with high chairs so it would be easy for me to get up. I don't see how I can take this medicine for 5yrs. My husband bought me a thread mill and we are hoping that will help with the pain. I will let you know how that works out.

I was diagnosed with with a well differentiated grade 1, stage 2, infiltrating mammary ductul carcinoma breast cancer. This meant it was a mixture of invasive ductal and lobular carcinomas and it was a fast-growing and aggressive Invasive cancer. When starting this medication 4 years ago, I was told it would cause hot flashes, bone pain, etc. I was also told if I could tolerate all the side effects, it would increase the chances of my cancer not coming back by 93%. Even though I am experiencing many of the side effects others are talking about, I keep reminding myself of the 93% chance of the cancer not coming back and me being able to enjoy my family. I find keeping up with an exercise program, walking at least 8,000 to 10,000 steps or more per day, eating as much organic meats and veggies, etc. along with a diet rich in protein and green veggies helps. If we go out to eat and I eat chicken or beef, I have more hot flashes because this meet has more hormones than organic. I try to eat more vegetables and fish when eating out and that helps. Being active is just as important as your diet taking this med. My side effects have been in stages. I would have something for awhile and deal with it and in a few months it would stop then deal with something else and it would stop. I have heard many reports on this on the news and in publications and it has saved many lives. Stick with the medication, deal with the side effects, and have that 93% chance of seeing your grandchildren graduate college. It's not easy and is a challenge but I know Jesus Christ went through more pain than we could ever imagine for us so I am doing this for my family. Should it come back, they will have the peace of mind that I did everything I could to prevent it from returning. My prayers are with all of you and ask that you remember me in your prayers also. Read More Read Less