Anastrozole and Depression: What Users Say

• Jac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 5, 2013

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I've been on Arimidex for 4 years. Side effects are insomnia, joint pain, painful sex or no interest in sex, forgetfulness, anxiety, and depression. One year to go and hopefully I will not have to take it. Maybe still on it because of a family history of breast cancer."

• Roc...
• February 28, 2020

For Breast Cancer "I'm 66. I've been on Arimidex for 6 months. That was following a lumpectomy (stage 1 invasive ductile carcinoma, 1.6 cm) and 33 radiation treatments. The first month I had no side effects. The second month I started to experience sleep disruption and mood swings. Now I've progressed to having joint pain, worst in my left shoulder and elbow (surgery side), pain in the left chest/breast where the tumor was removed. In the last two weeks, my right thumb started to stiffen up - trigger finger. Sleep disruption went away after a month but returned during the sixth month. I was taking Arimidex 2 hours before bed, and I'm going to try taking it first thing in the morning to see if it stops the sleep disruption. In the last month or two, I have started to feel basically unwell and very stiff, especially when I wake up in the morning. I'm feeling kind of depressed. I do yoga twice a week and try to walk twice a week as well. Perhaps I will increase my exercise. Blessings. Good luck to you."

• Anonymous
• October 15, 2012

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I've been on Arimidex for 4 years and 1 month, prior to which I took Tamoxifen for 5 months. During the first year, I developed a frozen shoulder, which my oncologist said could be due to the Arimidex. I experienced extreme joint stiffness, which gradually subsided after 9-12 months. I had intense hot flashes, which are now lessening. Other side effects include insomnia, vision issues (detached retina - but am also very myopic), pronounced facial aging, dry skin (I am 57 years old), and thinning hair. Additionally, I also experienced depression and mood swings starting 3 months after starting Arimidex. I did not take medication for it, but I have noticed that it has gradually lessened over the last 1 1/2 years."

• 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."

• Tri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 24, 2012

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been on Arimidex for 4 years 4 months. I have had the hot flashes, vision issues, bone density weakening, joint pain and stiffness, depression, mood changes, insomnia, back and bone pain, thinning nails (of already thin nails), weakness in hands and now, my hair is breaking off and drying out. My doctor wants me to hold on until the end of the 5 years. Not sure I can."

• Dip...
• July 10, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I have been taking Anastrozole for the past 10 months. I had breast cancer and was treated with radiation for 6 weeks. I have decided to go off this pill as it has terrible side effects. The pain in my joints and hot flashes seem to have come full force just this week. I feel like I can't smile, I have no motivation, and just feel spacey all the time. I am a young-minded, spirited 70-year-old, and have always enjoyed life. I honestly feel that my quality of life is more important than living with such debilitating pain. I believe that the next ten years should be enjoyed with my family. I don't know if I will have the energy at 80, but I will do my best to enjoy every day getting there!"

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2020

For Breast Cancer "I wish I could sue AstraZeneca. Three years after finishing that drug, my hair remains so thin I could pass as a 90-year-old. I've been in a depressed daze since. It trashed my joints, and I lost my gallbladder and spent a small fortune on physical therapy for the frozen shoulder. And guess what? I threw the drugs in the trash, and no more frozen shoulder."

• SCW...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 29, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I have been taking anastrozole for 11 months. I have stage 1-Her2 stage 3 breast cancer. Had a lumpectomy. Also went through 3 months of chemo and 30 radiation treatments. My hot flashes continue to get worse by the day. My hands are constantly sore, especially in the morning. My legs and knees have been getting worse to where I cannot get up after stooping down. Getting on my knees is impossible. Some days I think I am losing my mind. I forget what I am saying in the middle of a sentence. My husband is worried about me and is constantly making sure I'm okay. I have also been steadily becoming depressed. (I am a very positive and happy person as a rule) I don't feel like myself. Hate this pill. I am only 63."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I feel like my life has been wrecked by Anastrozole. After a couple of months, the oncologist took me off it for 6 weeks to allow my body to repair. He has now put me on Tamoxifen. My body has not repaired itself. Before I started this pill, I was an active 72-year-old who enjoyed life to the full, walking my dog, looking after my grandchildren, and socializing with friends, etc. Now I have osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and tibialis tendinosis (none of which I had before), which I am probably going to have to have major surgery for, which will take a year to get over. The pain is excruciating, and I can only walk a few steps. I have become depressed as well at not being mobile and having so much pain. My husband is waiting for a hip replacement, and we are having to pay daily to get our dog walked and to get our house cleaned a couple of times a week. It is difficult to shop and stand and cook. I have been told by a physio not to walk or stand if at all possible."

• Kat...
• December 10, 2016

For Breast Cancer "Had a lumpectomy for stage 2 breast cancer in September 2014, started taking anastrozole a month later, until today, December 10, 2016. My oncologist is having me go off it for 4 weeks because in the last 6 months, I have noticed three worsening symptoms. I started getting short of breath almost immediately after starting the anastrozole, but now I can't even do light housework for 5 minutes without breathing hard. The muscle aches and pains have become level 5 to 8 routinely, the moment I'm upright, I'm in pain, plus it hurts to move. But I went to my family doctor because the depression was scaring me. I am grateful for this forum because in reading other experiences, I see that I am not alone. Will update this review later."

• Kas...
• December 8, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I started taking Arimidex in March of 2015 after being diagnosed with bilateral stage 1 invasive DC. After lumpectomies, I received 30 radiation treatments, but no chemo was needed. I have had many side effects including depression, joint pain, insomnia, nausea, numbness in my left hand fingers. I was determined to stay with it. Two weeks ago, I ended up in the ER with hip pain so severe I was vomiting and crying. I actually have a very high tolerance for pain. I saw my oncologist today, he said, 'We want to improve your quality of life, not hinder it.' He took me off the Arimidex and will start me on something else in 4 weeks. It was so nice to have a doctor actually listen and want to work with me. I hope I tolerate my new med better."

• Kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 26, 2019

For Breast Cancer "Have taken anastrozole for 8 months, following lumpectomy and radiation a year ago. After about 2 months, began to have severe hot flashes and insomnia. Eating more cold food and keeping air conditioning cooler helped. Symptoms followed such as exhaustion, low energy, and low motivation. For the past 4 months, have had extreme exhaustion, severe pain, and feeling achy all over like having the flu. I have also had 4 bouts of severe stabbing stomach pain, followed by nausea and vomiting and painful elimination. Walking more than a few yards is painful and causes shortness of breath. I am experiencing severe depression and have crying spells. Last week my oncologist told me to stop anastrozole for 6 weeks. I hope my symptoms decrease! But if so, I don’t know what will be recommended in its place. I am very concerned about cancer returning!"

• Kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 26, 2019

For Breast Cancer "Have taken anastrozole for 8 months, following lumpectomy and radiation a year ago. After about 2 months, began to have severe hot flashes and insomnia. Eating more cold food and keeping air conditioning cooler helped. Symptoms followed such as exhaustion, low energy, and low motivation. For the past 4 months, have had extreme exhaustion, severe pain, and feeling achy all over like having the flu. I have also had 4 bouts of severe stabbing stomach pain, followed by nausea and vomiting and painful elimination. Walking more than a few yards is painful and causes shortness of breath. I am experiencing severe depression and have crying spells. Last week my oncologist told me to stop anastrozole for 6 weeks. I hope my symptoms decrease! But if so, I don’t know what will be recommended in its place. I am very concerned about cancer returning!"

• Hea...
• December 7, 2016

For Breast Cancer "Diagnosed in 1/2016: estrogen-receptive intraductal papillary carcinoma, left breast. Lucky to have a lumpectomy and clear margins. No lymph nodes. However, had a heart attack and quad bypass a week later. So-no radiation on orders of the cardio doctor. No Tamoxifen since heart disease is a side effect. Began Arimidex in April. I am up 30 pounds, the hot flashes/night sweats are horrible, tired all the time, no sex drive, vaginal dryness (taking Osphena for that, which helps), depressed, short of breath. So far no joint pain but swelling in my feet if I sit too long. Everyone says 'exercise!' but it's hard to do that when I just want to sleep! Wondering if it is worth it for the small percentage it can offer."

• hig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2023

For Breast Cancer "Within 2 days of starting this drug, I stopped sleeping, over a few weeks, I developed restless leg syndrome, severe joint pain in knees, hands, shoulders, in addition to stiffness in my back and difficulty standing up straight. My ankles filled with fluid. By the 7th month, I developed severe depression and was generally disabled physically and emotionally. I actually contemplated moving to an assisted living facility at 70 years old. I quit the drug at 9.5 months, and issues resolved within 2 weeks. I was prescribed this drug to prevent the recurrence of early-stage invasive ductal carcinoma that was completely removed during surgery and had not spread to lymph nodes. Taking this drug was the worst thing I have ever done to myself."

• Spu...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 21, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I've been on anastrozole 1 mg, and the only side effect I'm dealing with is weight gain. I can live with that. Also, depression has been getting me down as I've no family or friends, only many acquaintances in the Gold Coast. My heart goes out to all the other cancer sufferers dealing with so many side effects. I had a double mastectomy in September 2015."

• jes...
• March 18, 2017

For Breast Cancer "I am on this drug for 10 months now. The negative effects I believe can be reversed if other supplements are taken along with it. I say this because I take them every day, and so far, the only bad effect is having cognitive dysfunction, and other than that I have no joint pain, thinning hair, depression, etc. BTW, the large mass in my right breast has decreased in size dramatically because I topically apply DMSO every night and take Iodoral (50 mg) once a day. These are the supplements/vitamins I take daily: 9,000 mg Vit. C, 2,000 mg MSM, IP6/Inositol 24 capsules, Vit. D3, Vit. K2, Boron, DMG, Potassium, Ferrous Sulfate, Magnesium, Strontium, Copper, Zinc, Vit. B17 (3x), and Powdered Hydrolyzed Collagen."

• Tup...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2022

For Breast Cancer "Prescribed Anastrozole following lumpectomy for stage 1 invasive ductal breast cancer - clear margins, sentinel node clear. Wasn't concerned about side effects as a friend who takes it says she has had no problems whatsoever. Two months on, I have developed disabling sacroiliac and hip pain, which prevents me from walking, also severe depression. Didn't consider Anastrozole as a cause until the oncologist mentioned that it can cause back and joint problems. In addition, I now have pain in the wrist and thumb joint, numbness in hands when sleeping, and water retention causing swollen legs and ankles. I am (was) an active 77-year-old, and today made the decision to take no more of this nasty drug, preferring quality of life to the small risk of recurrence. Hope to be pain-free and active again before long."

• Hot...
• March 20, 2015

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "Was taking it for 6 months. Side effects were bad: headaches, every bone joint ached and stiff. Moody, depressed, and memory was bad. Will be going on tamoxifen, hope it's not as bad."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2017

For Breast Cancer "Side effects of joint pain, depression, irritability, hot flashes, night sweats, midsternal chest pressure, and headaches. Stopped medication, and within 48 hours, symptoms improved."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 21, 2022

For Breast Cancer "This drug is horrible. I have a year and a half left, and I will stop taking it immediately. Terrible mood swings, depression, lack of energy, and lack of appetite."