Anastrozole and Bone Pain: What Users Say

• Pol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 17, 2019

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed stage 1b lumpectomy, 4 weeks of radiation, then Arimidex. Well, the side effects are too much for me. The bone pain was excruciating, it woke me up at night. Fatigue, headache, nausea, foggy brain. I do yoga and walk 3 days a week. I have decided to go a natural path. Do the research for yourself before you make your own decisions. I just want a good quality of life back! I wish you all well."

• JoJ...
• April 4, 2019

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I lasted 5 weeks on Arimidex for my breast cancer. I stopped taking it because of the side effects. I’ve been off it 5 weeks while I research & decide what to do before discussing with my oncologist. I’m 58 years old & had no significant medical history. I have occasional neck pain, a physically active job, from which I am retired. This drug caused extreme joint & bone pain. Before surgery, I was flipping tires & doing box jumps at the gym. This drug made me feel too bad to go for a walk. Other side effects included all-over itching, dry hair, dry skin, dry eyes, insomnia, nightmares, nausea. The pharmacist told me the only side effect would be dizziness, which I did not have. I didn’t research further. I was so happy the radiation was done & thought taking a pill would be no big deal. I’d experienced hot flashes and night flashes for years, so those were not new. When I googled the drug, I found many women had the same side effects. The bone density issue is alarming."

• Ste...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 29, 2019

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I’m finally off Arimidex. Every time I mentioned one of the many side effects I was experiencing, my oncologist said it's not from the drug. Read the flyer that comes with it. I’m hoping my joints and bones will stop hurting, that I won’t sweat through my insomnia, and that my hair will come back. What a miserable 5 years."

• Lea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 26, 2014

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I took it for 5 years and 2 months. I cannot say if the changes were from chemo or from Arimidex. Changes in taste and smell persist. Frontal headache, blurred vision, cough, calcium loss - osteopenia. Stiff joints, long bone pain, sciatica pain of right leg, fatigue, wicked insomnia, hot flushes & flashes. Neuropathy in hands and feet, especially balls of feet and very sensitive tips of toes. Very dry skin, aged face, hair is very thin and breaking easily. Never got back full eyebrows, very SAD! I loved my eyebrows."

• WV ...
• April 10, 2014

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I've been on Arimidex for 10 weeks. Although I had arthritis prior to taking Arimidex, my joint discomfort has increased substantially and now I find that my joints (especially my hands and hips) are swollen and always painful. My fingernails have thinned and continually split and tear off, often below the quick (ouch!). I'm also disheartened to notice that my eyebrows and eyelashes, which had just grown back after my last chemo session, have started to either break or fall out again. Bone and muscle pain are always with me now."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 24, 2016

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I'm on year 12! Large weight gain. Horrid bone pain...especially bottom long bones in legs and right arm. Neuropathy. Weak hands as far as gripping. Getting up and moving after sitting awhile is not fun. Headaches. Walk the floors at night, because being up on my legs makes the pain a little better. I was stage 3c, ER+, scared to death to come off it. I'm 45 and want to stick around, but wish I didn't feel so crappy."

• Hob...
• August 10, 2017

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "The first year of taking anastrozole, I experienced hair loss, weight gain even though I was having difficulty keeping food down. It wasn't really nausea, it was more like a reaction. Itchy skin, foggy head, aches and pains. During the second year, I found one morning that I could barely walk, severe knee pain, sore legs, sore bones...this is still the case, but I started gradually to start a yoga routine, which helps some days. It doesn't erase the pain, but seems to make it more manageable. It's like a different set of side effects every few months. I will stick with it, as much as I don't want to. The surgery and radiation are two things I never want to deal with again. Good luck to all of you, keep strong!"

• sis...
• June 19, 2013

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "Took tamoxifen for 9 months. Extreme bruising. Switched to Arimidex. After 4 weeks, extreme pain in hand. Next, severe headaches. Each month brought increased pain in thumbs, hand, feet, long leg bones. Joints hurt, wrists weaken every month. After 10 months, I became depressed and had insomnia. Finally, I had enough and stopped. Within 2 weeks, long bone pain went away. I still have some knee pain, trigger finger, and wrist weakness and it's been 3 months. Doctor is switching to Aromasin next month."

• key...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2016

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "6 months into taking this drug, I had to stop. Side effects: painful weakness in both hands, hurts to grip, trigger thumbs - bad when waking up in the morning. Took medicine in the morning. Dizzy, nausea, headache, heartburn, discomfort in the center of chest. Exhausted midday, bone pain. Lost sex drive. 62 years old. Since stopping 2 weeks ago - hoping hands and sex drive return, other problems have stopped. Feeling more normal, weakness and pain in hands still bad."

• ann...
• May 30, 2013

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "Been taking Arimidex for nearly 6 years now. Side effects for me are joint & bone pain, weird feeling in my chest that wakes me up. Weight gain, hair thinning & occasional hot flushes. I take calcium tabs and alendronic acid for my bones. Apart from that I'm grateful to be alive."

• Los...
• April 7, 2015

For Breast Cancer "Began anastrozole regimen Jan. 2015 and by Mar. could no longer tolerate due to muscle pain, bone pain, pain in right foot, numbness in hands, feet, legs, and arms, severe back pain, swelling of hands and feet, shortness of breath, extreme hot flashes, hair breakage, joint pain, and weight gain. The side effects became debilitating. I could barely walk. I will be requesting a change in the medication."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2016

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "Diagnosed in June 2016, Stage 2 Grade 2 IDC Breast cancer. In August 2016, lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy, and 30 radiation treatments were done. I have only been on Arimidex for 2 weeks. I am experiencing severe bone pain in my legs and hips. My knees are the worst. Also, some nausea and loss of appetite. I didn't expect the side effects to start within the first 2 weeks of taking Arimidex. I hope that the longer I'm on Arimidex, the side effects will get better."

• Oak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2020

For Breast Cancer "Invasive Lobular Carc. Grade 2 Stage 1A. ER+PR+ HER-Oncotype DX 9. Lumpectomy & 21 days of radiation. W/ generic anastrozole: very strong bone and joint pain after 1 to 2 weeks in places I didn't think I had arthritis, as well as in those places I'd previously 'insulted' during my 64 years. Thought that if this were to be my life, I'd rather die sooner rather than later. Med. Onc. told me all aromatase inhibitors would have the same effect, so put me on tamoxifen. 3 weeks into that - so far just sweater on and off, on and off."

• Blu...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 1, 2021

For Breast Cancer "I've taken anastrozole for just over two years now. I find the fatigue the worst. I’m just always tired no matter how well I sleep or how much I rest. The fatigue is relentless, so much so my whole life has changed. I no longer enjoy the active life I had, and I have gained a lot more weight. Even though I walk every day and try to do weight-bearing exercises, just doing the housework these days or going shopping is enough. The joint and bone pain gets me down too. Some days I can hardly bend down, let alone get up. It gets me down, so add low mood to the list. I've had no support either. I finished my treatment, then was put straight on this drug and feel I've been left to get on with it. If it were not for the fear of the cancer returning, I would quit this horrid drug. Every day is a struggle, and I’m not sure if I can do another three years. I want my life back."

• Mar...
• February 9, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I have been on this medication for 18 months now. I have experienced severe hot flushes, which have mostly subsided. I have bouts of severe bone pain in my thighs and shins to the point where it feels like I have been beat with a baseball bat. I have insomnia, along with mental confusion and short-term memory loss. I get mild nausea but have probably gained 30 lbs. My arthritis in my ankles has worsened. Not sure how much longer I can stay on this medication."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2019

For Breast Cancer "Had DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) with lumpectomy and 3 weeks of radiation. I was not too concerned about aromatase medication since all treatment had been problem-free. I took anastrozole 1 mg for 10 weeks. After 5 doses, developed severe diarrhea-10-15 times per day. After 4 weeks, insomnia and bone pain started, then hair loss. Really wondering if I am over treating this condition. Discontinued anastrozole about three weeks ago, and all symptoms subsided. Just started on examestane-hope this is a better alternative."

• Taz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 24, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I wish I would've been told quality of life would be so severe. Been on Anastrozole for 3 years - severe hot flashes, mood swings - the medication doesn't work - but oncologist insists I take it - I do in case they test for it. Fond natural rhubarb helped me 100% get rid of my hot flashes - not covered under insurance, $35.00. My bones ache now when it's cold, different aches & pains daily. They deny osteoporosis due to the pill - but I never had this kind of pain - my hips actually hurt when cold, they can't move. I have 7 more years - I do not think I can stay that long - with these bone issues & mood swings. Hot flashes make me smell like a man who has not showered and just played sports - his underarm smell - this is due to the radiation treatment."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2019

For Breast Cancer "Diagnosed with ER+, PR+ but negative on other indicators for bilateral breast tumors. Left side, 2.4 cm one + lymph node, right side, 6 mm, lymph negative. Had lumpectomies in Sept. 2019, radiation for 6 weeks to breasts and left shoulder. Oncotype DX shows low scores if I do radiation and anastrozole. I have osteoporosis already, probably due to celiac disease, so have autoimmune issues. Had my first injection of Prolia and started the anastrozole today. I am willing to give it a try, but may stop it if the side effects are intolerable. Pretty nervous about side effects, mainly bone pain and dizziness so far. I am going to try some supplementation with magnesium, and of course calcium and vitamin D, but they tend to flare up bladder pain--going to try mindfulness meditation, my physical therapist says there's lots of research that it helps with healing. Glad to find this site so I don't feel like I'm all on my own in this. Thanks to everyone!!"

• spe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 27, 2024

For Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma stage 1 ER/PR(+), HER2(-) in 2021. Had a partial mastectomy, lymph node removal, and 4 weeks of radiation. Prescribed Anastrozole 1mg until 2028. My mammograms have been clean to date while taking this drug, which is good. However, I experience a gradual increase in side effects that include muscle weakness and pain, bone and spinal pain, joint inflammation, morning swelling of hands, feet, and ankles, which led to dropping items, difficulty walking, sleeping comfortably, and insomnia. My cholesterol and blood pressure are higher and have not been in control since starting this drug. Making changes from this medication is concerning since there are more serious life-threatening side effects. But if I continue, I am concerned that these side effects will lead to muscle atrophy, heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, stroke, and a recurrence of cancer. It’s a catch-22 situation both mentally and physically."

• Bor...
• March 16, 2017

For Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed May 7, 2016, had a single mastectomy on 5/23, that put me to have IDC stage 2 grade 3 onco diagnostic score of 29. I went through chemo four AC and 12 taxol. A lot of side effects including blood clots in my mediport, heart and lung, white blood cells extremely low, sent me to the hospital for four days. I was put on Xarelto for the blood clots. I was finally able to complete my chemo Dec 16, 2016. My oncologist started me on anastrozole in Feb 2017, and after just 10 days I stopped them. It was not much because of the bone pain, tiredness, etc., but because my mood was so horrible. I was just snapping at people for no reason, and I didn't like that. She said 50/50 chance, then I'll take my chance."

• Har...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 29, 2016

For Breast Cancer "Age 54, Stage 3 double mastectomy, chemo and radiation (last dose 12/31/14), and now I am starting year two on anastrozole. Joint pain, hands numb/painful upon awakening, long bone pain. I have wrestled with stopping this medication because of the severity of the side effects until I got on a study for a testosterone/anastrozole implant. I know I did not get the placebo per the return of libido, reduced vaginal dryness, and reduced pain."

• MAF...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 11, 2025

For Breast Cancer "In 2015, I was diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer. I had surgery and radiation and took anastrozole for 4 years of the 5 years recommended. I stopped due to bone pain. I am cancer-free today. Don’t remember the dosage."

• Suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2024

For Breast Cancer "I have been on the drug for 4 months. I have been experiencing chills, bone pain, emotional side effects such as tears/melancholy, agitation, and nightmares. My oncologist told me if I didn’t take it that I could get breast cancer again and end up in hospice. No alternatives were offered. Since I saw her, I have stopped the drug again and prefer to continue with a healthy diet, exercise, and think positive."

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2024

For Breast Cancer "I am taking anastrozole for one month, and I have a lot of bone pain in my lower leg and pain in both of my hips plus my spine. I feel stiff. I walk 2 miles a day and try to keep moving. It is a difficult drug to endure for 5 years. I am hoping in my meeting with my oncologist he will prescribe Celebrex for my arthritis pain. It might help. I have no other problems."

• Rho...
• December 15, 2022

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "Arimidex gave me severe bone and joint pain, so much so that I could hardly walk. I stopped taking it weeks ago and now am on prednisone to stop arthritis (bone pain) from it. The prednisone is helping decrease pain and stiffness, but it is not completely gone yet. This pill is so strong, or at least for me, was not worth taking."