Anastrozole and Hot Flashes: What Users Say

• Aro...
• November 7, 2019

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I took it for 5 years and just stopped on October 31st. This drug is TERRIBLE. It destroys your bones, causes hip joint pain so bad that you lose your balance, causes hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, constipation, heart palpitations, spinal pain, loss of bone density which causes OSTEOPENIA which can lead to OSTEOPOROSIS and more. Its disgusting that this is basically the only one you can take other than tamoxifen. Your oncologist SHOULD tell you what the side effects are going to do so that you can somehow prepare for them. Mine prescribed GABAPENTIN for the hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia. Arimidex has to be taken for only 5 years and no more. Hopefully the weakness in my hip joints will ease, the pain in my bones, the constipation, heart palpitations. You will never get back the bone loss. I'm taking high doses of OTC vitamin C & D."

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 14, 2019

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I am 60 and have been on Arimidex going on 4 years now for stage 2 invasive lobular breast cancer. Initially, I experienced trigger finger, but that went away after a few months. I have also experienced slight weight gain (5 lbs), insomnia, and hot flashes regularly. I exercise every day to keep my bones strong, and luckily I have no joint or bone pain. I just noticed recently thinning hair after 4 years on this. My doctor says they recommend another 5 years after next year, so it will be 10 years total. I think for me the worst side effect is the hot flashes, but it’s okay! I’m still here! :)"

• Ore...
• March 20, 2013

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I have had the hot flashes and the weight gain. Not much of the other side effects so far. Not willing to keep gaining the weight, talked to my oncologist but he says the weight gain is not from the Arimidex. I know better, I have always been very careful with my weight and going on this medication is the only time I have had the weight gain. I stopped it for 5 weeks and lost, went back on the Arimidex and the weight came back. I work out 5 to 7 days a week so I am very active."

• Ind...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 21, 2019

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been taking Arimidex for six months. Insomnia is the worst part for me. Some hot flashes and moodiness. Weight gain of ten pounds due to fatigue and pauses in working out. Just recently I upped my walking to 80 minutes a day and cut out all sugar. This has helped me with the insomnia. Some joint discomfort, but not bad. Just trying to figure out what is the best way to help with side effects."

• oma...
• August 10, 2015

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "Fine initially but within 2 weeks, severe ankle pain, insomnia, hot flashes and severe sweating. Thinning hair just after it all grew back beautifully. Difficult eye prescription, moody, tingling nerve pain in right thigh, tired and now have a hiatal hernia. Lack of interest in sex, which still has not returned. I just wonder what the long-term effects could be. This medication was one I loved to hate. But my cancer is gone and it has been 6 years that I am cancer-free."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2019

For Breast Cancer "Anastrozole was terrible for me. Carpal tunnel, insomnia, inflamed joints, constipation, muscle aches, skin irritations, hot flashes, and more. I took it for just over 3 months, and am still experiencing side effects 6 weeks after stopping. For only a 2% reduction in risk of recurrence for me, it's not worth feeling miserable all the time."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• January 31, 2012

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I started taking Arimidex about 4-5 months ago as a breast cancer patient. I'm supposed to take it for 5 years. The side effects I've experienced are insomnia, hot flashes, headaches, weight gain, joint pain, and severe loss of grip in both hands. My hands are stiff in the morning and evening, it's just crazy. Well, even throughout the day. I asked my oncologist about this, and he said it was arthritis, which I do not believe. The onset was too quick. It was about 6 weeks after I started taking the Arimidex then the hand stiffness showed up."

• 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."

• Eeo...
• May 31, 2020

For Breast Cancer "DX: breast cancer (BC) stage 1, lumpectomy with lymph nodes removed followed by radiation. Started anastrozole after radiation. Initially, I had substantial hot flashes and insomnia, but these stopped after 3 weeks. Then joint pain started, increasing so that after 6 months, I could not sit or stand for more than 1/2 hour without being in terrible pain. If I had to squat, my knee joints would freeze, and I could only stand by pulling myself up using my arms. After 1 year, I had gained 20 lbs, and shuffling a mile was all I could do for exercise. The doctor was skeptical that anastrozole was causing the symptoms but suggested going off it for 2 weeks. At the end of those weeks, most of the joint pain had gone! I went back on anastrozole. In 2 months, the joint pain returned, but I was determined to tough it out. I saw the doctor this week, year 2. So thankful for no BC recurrence, but I have gained 20 more lbs. My mood is down. My hands and ankles are swollen like sausages. Simple chores are agony and exhausting. Now switching to tamoxifen..."

• 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!"

• Gig...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 19, 2017

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been taking Arimidex for 4.5 years, coming up on my 5-year post-treatment check-up. Side effects for me have been: hot flashes, neuropathy, intense joint pain, insomnia, and 30% loss of bone density. I take 2 ibuprofen daily to manage pain and power through. New clinical data indicate staying on longer may reduce risk further. I was so looking forward to getting off this drug, not sure how I feel about that."

• Gra...
• July 18, 2015

For Breast Cancer "I learned from patient reviews that taking magnesium helps mitigate side effects of arimidex. So I began taking magnesium glycinate before I even began the arimidex. I do think it helps. I am also following an anti-cancer diet. No muscle pain, no joint pain, only two very mild hot flashes, no weight gain, no headaches, no constipation, no mood swings. But when I had to take prednisone for 6 days for systemic poison ivy, I had lots of those side effects. If you check the list of magnesium deficiency side effects against arimidex side effects, you will find them very very similar. Been on arimidex 3 months and sticking with it so far."

• 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."

• Bea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 22, 2016

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been using Arimidex for approximately 6 months. I have had some side effects, mostly hot flashes and some insomnia. The hot flashes have improved, and for the insomnia, I just switched the time of day when I took the medication."

• jbo...
• September 8, 2010

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been on Arimidex for 4 years. Side effects I have had are severe hot flashes, and ever-increasing joint pain. I am considering going off the medication entirely, even though it has not been the full five years yet, or switching to a different medicine."

• BJa...
• April 17, 2015

For Breast Cancer "Coming up on my 5-year anniversary, so anastrozole evidently works. However, after my last bone density test, I find that my bones have thinned significantly, and now I have osteoporosis. I have had other side effects like hot flashes, insomnia, joint pain, weight gain, thinning nails, and hair, but I didn't attribute anything other than hot flashes to the anastrozole. To prevent cancer, I can live with most of those, but if I had known how fast my bones were thinning, I don't know if I would have stayed with it."

• You...
• February 3, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I have atypical ductal hyperplasia. Initially put on Tamoxifen, stopped secondary to multiple side effects, including osteoporosis and poor quality of life. Took a 9-month drug-free vacation before agreeing to take Arimidex (anastrozole). Hot flashes and insomnia have been dependent on what time of the day I take the medicine; worse if taken in the late afternoon/evening. I have had a return of joint/arthritic pain in my hips, lower back, shoulders, and hands. I have fatigue, no libido, and have gained 15 pounds despite being active and eating healthy. Short-term memory is poor, and word recall is frustrating. I know many do well on this medicine, but I am not sure if I will stay on it."

• ema...
• August 1, 2013

For Breast Cancer "I have been taking Anastrozole for 1 and a half years now for breast cancer. I have been having problems with my hands, stiffness of legs, shortness of breath, insomnia, thinning hair, weight gain, and really bad hot flashes. I am going to ask my doctor about my chances of recurring breast cancer if I stop taking this or try something else."

• Rev...
• November 14, 2016

For Breast Cancer "Age 66. I had Stage IIA breast cancer, two tumors in the right breast, hormone receptive. I had a double mastectomy and seven lymph nodes removed (clear, thank God!). I dodged the chemo bullet, but the side effects from the anastrozole are terrible. Brain fog, fatigue, weight gain, severe hot flashes, and now such joint pain and tendonitis of the hamstring that I walk with a limp. Got a cortisone shot ten days ago. Seemed to help some, but the pain came back with a vengeance after a week. I can hardly drive, which is required for my job (hospice chaplain). I have to work. Oncologist advised today that I go off for a week to see if the leg pain improves. If it goes away after not taking it for a week, I'll have difficult decisions to make."

• 2...
• November 13, 2016

For Breast Cancer "Had my first mastectomy in 2002. Had my second in 2015. My oncologist put me on Anastrozole. The hot flashes were unbearable, but are subsiding after a year on the med. Unfortunately, now my feet are so painful to walk on I'm thinking that I would rather take my chances than deal with the pain in my feet. Having trouble with knee pain and every time I sit for more than one hour, I feel like I am 90. Hands ache and I'm too tired to get up and exercise. Is it really worth it? How much difference in recurrence does this give me now that I have had a double mastectomy?"

• san...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 13, 2023

For Breast Cancer "I am 2 and 1/2 years into my Anastrozole meds. After stage 3 invasive ductile carcinoma. I had a 3 1/2 cm mass removed, as well as a few lymph nodes that also were positive for cancer. I am in the most extreme pain of my life from this medication. The hot flashes are horrible, as are the anxiety, nausea, pains, dizziness, and overall fatigue. I feel like I'm dying half the time. It is very hard to walk, as my ankles and lower legs hurt so bad, it's hard to even pick my leg up to get into the car. My legs hurt so bad at night I have trouble sleeping. I also have terrible muscle cramps, some of which take several minutes to release. I personally do not recommend taking this. My husband and I are looking into a more natural approach. There is no way I can continue to take this medication."

• 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!"

• Sup...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 27, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I have been on anastrozole for a year and a half, was on tamoxifen for a year before but now gone through menopause. I was a fit 41-year-old before, I always have a horrible taste in my mouth, struggle to get up to walk, especially from out of bed. My joints are so painful, I struggle to grip, lost the steering wheel the other week and nearly shot off the road, fuzzy head, hot sweats. Think I've made the decision to come off it and hope for the best."

• Aut...
• June 27, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I have been on this medicine for approximately 8 months, have started having side effects that say to contact my doctor immediately (waiting for a call back as I type this): blisters on my lower lip and inside mouth, sores on the hairline, my face occasionally looks sunburned, pain in my chest and difficulty swallowing, vision changes, sore throat, some pain in the abdomen area, some dizziness, severe hot flashes, and nausea. I did not take the medicine this morning and do not intend to continue."