Anastrozole and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Mer...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 17, 2015

For Breast Cancer "I started anastrozole one year ago. At first, I didn't notice any side effects. Now, for the past three or four months, I've experienced a gradual increase in pain in my joints. My hip joints, knees, and hands give me a lot of pain. I also have stiff hands when I wake up each morning, trigger fingers, and thumb, it gradually gets better as the day goes on. Other side effects I have experienced are hair thinning, anxiety, insomnia, thinning nails, chronic diarrhea, thinning of the lower walls of my vagina causing a bladder prolapse, and dry mouth. I have stopped taking the product and called my oncologist. He suggested Aromasin, but after reading about the side effects of that, it seems like I am going from the frying pan into the fire."

• Anonymous
• December 15, 2010

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "Severe hot flushes, sleep disturbance, bone and joint pain, lack of concentration. Was getting Zoladex injections for 9 months then had hysterectomy. Have been on Arimidex for 7 months. Hope I don't have to be on it for up to 5 years. I don't think I could stick out these side effects."

• 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."

• 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."

• Lei...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 1, 2018

For Breast Cancer "May 2014 underwent a lumpectomy for stage 1 breast cancer. Clear margins, no lymph node issues. 20 treatments of radiation. Oncologist started letrozole. 3 months of terrible joint pain/difficulty rising. Oncologist then prescribed anastrozole. Vaginal dryness, no sex drive, nose cavity dry, no joint pain. Insomnia. Difficulty losing weight. 10,000 steps daily I lose! Take vitamin D, calcium, and others daily. Slight bone loss last image, oncologist recommended Prolia. Near the end of taking anastrozole - 6 more months to 5 years. After researching this drug, take a lifetime, shot 2 times a year, $1,800.00 a year to insurance or not! Advice from 3 health care specialist friends, going for a second opinion from a doctor that read my bone scan, I followed their strong advice to not take Prolia. Felt the side effects researched/told were very severe, not worth the risk. More spinach, kale, calcium in food, and load-bearing exercise. Hang tough, ladies!"

• 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!"

• 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 14, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I was researching vaginal pain and wound up on this site, and I am so grateful I found it! I have been on Arimidex for 5 years and have experienced it all--insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, tired during the day (I sometimes fall asleep sitting!), memory loss, losing words, OMG, I could go on and on! For all this time, I've thought that the chemo left me in this state. Now I see that there's a chance it's not permanent! I will call my doctor tomorrow to discuss my treatment end date. The last time we spoke, he indicated that he would like me to take anastrozole indefinitely. Now that I know that most of my issues could be due to the medication, it's time to make educated decisions. I might possibly get back to 'normal'!"

• 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."

• run...
• July 25, 2017

For Breast Cancer "Diagnosed April 2016. Stage 2, Grade 3. Lumpectomy. I finished doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin) and cyclophosphamide, followed by treatment with paclitaxel (Taxol) - ACT regimen in October 2016, and then radiation, January 2017. I was 100% estrogen positive and 90% progesterone positive. I was HR negative. I refused the anastrozole at first, but since I have been taking one pill every other day. I have been taking it for 4 months. I am 66. I have trouble sleeping (never previously). My energy has decreased. My muscles in my back are stiff along with my joints. I think I am retaining fluid in my limbs; not sure. I've gained 7 pounds. Sometimes my fingers lock and then snap; weird. I'm praying and trying to eat all the cancer-killing foods; quite a regimen."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2019

For Endometrial Cancer "Started this anastrozole 4 months ago, and I have never been more miserable. Have endometrial cancer and had a complicated hysterectomy, and after one month, started the drug. After one month, started having severe insomnia so that I was only getting 3 hours of sleep per night. My hands and feet felt like they were on fire. My arms and shoulders felt weak. I was tripping over my own feet. I had knee pain, shin pain so bad that I couldn't get up my condo steps. That is when I quit. I have been off for 2 weeks. The burning is mostly gone. My knees still hurt, especially after exercise. My arms still feel weak, and my chest hurts. I hope all of this resolves with time. I am (was) a very active 57 yo. I am not going on any more drugs until I see if things are resolving."

• Bli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2016

For Breast Cancer "Breast Cancer Stage 1 lumpectomy, 20 radiation treatments - advised Anastrozole - advised previous chronic problems: fibromyalgia, degenerative disc lower back. Side effects: intensified hot flashes, insomnia, and chronic fibro, hip, back pain. I was expecting these side effects, and since I was already experiencing them for many years, the intensity was not expected. The hot flashes are being treated by black cohosh and Effexor, taken morning and evening. Reduction in frequency and intensity of hot flashes. I thank you, ladies, for confirming the side effects that I am experiencing. I also have been having an increased loss of hair each day, but that seems to be abating a bit!"

• CKa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 19, 2021

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been on Arimidex for one year now. Side effects like everyone else are the bone and muscle pain, hot flashes, insomnia, and just now taking B-6 for the muscles, vitamin D, and calcium for the bones and a probiotic for the stomach/gastro issues. Bought a new bed, see a chiropractor once a month, etc. So many life changes just to be able to tolerate this med. As a person with high blood pressure to start with and on an HBP med, about 10 months in my BP started to climb. I was doing all the same things every day. Walking, green tea, beet juice, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and by the time I was 11 months in it was 179/109. Stopped the Arimidex for 2 weeks, and it's down to 135/81. I am NOT crazy...I really think it is increasing my blood pressure. Going to start the Arimidex again for a week and see what happens. Hoping for the best! Stay strong everyone, this too shall pass :)"

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2017

For Breast Cancer "Age now, 59. Stage 2b right side estrogen positive, mastectomy, chemo, radiation in 2014. Tamoxifen for one year. Anastrozole for 3 months. So far, no pain, no weight gain, no hair loss (yet), some vision problems-blurry, fuzzy, spots. Will get that checked out. Flashes and insomnia have subsided. I probably need to be on it longer to determine side effects, though. Very active, and a preschool teacher, so I'm glad that I haven't lost a step yet."

• ksm...
• October 12, 2016

For Breast Cancer "Only been on for 5 months after bilateral mastectomy (no chemo or rads). First month, extreme hot flashes. In the last month, trouble sleeping due to hip pain and leg pain on the right side - thought at first from jogging and waterskiing, which I've done for years, but doesn't seem to correspond with those activities each day. On Humira for RA, but didn't have these symptoms while on it. Will try additional Vitamin D as suggested. Since I had a recurrence after 23 years, do not want to stop taking."

• Lis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 17, 2017

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "Was diagnosed in Aug 2014 with stage 4. Had radiation and then anastrozole Jan 2015. Nausea for 2 weeks, joint pains still, warm showers work with Aleve for me night before and one during the day. Also, I realized that a cane made quite a difference in hip/recovering neck surgery. I don't use it as much around the house, but on concrete (parking lots) areas, it is a must. I think the pressure was too much without it at first and delayed the healing as I am much stronger now. The weight gain is terrible: 3 lbs a month and insomnia. Weeks watching food (that's why a 7 rating) intake/limiting, no difference at all, and lots of water and walking. Still feel much stronger though, and breast tumors have not increased. May 16, 2017, also Xgeva once a month injection."

• Lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2021

For Breast Cancer "I took this drug because my oncologist felt it would reduce my cancer risk. I have ductal papilloma hyperplasia with other risk factors that make me high risk. I took it for 31 days. I experienced unexplainable sweating, an increase in blood pressure, overall itching, headaches, joint/bone pain, insomnia, and mood swings that were bad. I am postmenopausal. I expected some side effects, but after 31 days and an emergency room visit, enough was enough. I weigh the value of medication based on cost vs. benefit. Yes, I am risking developing cancer, but I am comfortable in the monitoring I will be under, with an annual breast MRI and mammogram, which provides me with being monitored every 6 months. I have completed gene testing but have not received the results. Five years of nightmare living on anastrozole is not worth it!!"

• Mst...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 9, 2023

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed with stage 1, grade 2 triple-negative breast cancer in October of 2018. I had a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. I started Arimidex in October 2019. The side effects have been many. I have had severe joint pain, insomnia, severe hot flashes, weight gain, memory loss, dry skin, some dizziness, dry eyes, and I’m sure many more I’ve gotten used to. In October, I will have taken it for 4 years. Though I have suffered through this, I feel that I can handle one more year (I hope). I was put on gabapentin for joint pain and hot flashes, but I feel it is no longer working and have slowly gone off this medication. My recurrence rate, I’m told, is 2%. I am going to revisit my symptoms again at my next oncology appointment. I am forever grateful to still be alive, and though the side effects are, some days, unbearable, I will remain on anastrozole as long as my physician recommends."

• Dia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2021

For Breast Cancer "I started taking this drug on Dec 31, 2020. Happy New Year. lol. I have been taking Vitamin D and won't take calcium supplements, as my previous health doctor told me too much calcium can cause heart attacks in women. So I will stick to a proper diet instead. I hate the hot flashes, eye vision problems, and hard to sleep sometimes. I was reading that it can cause back pain, and that's what I got recently. The joint pain is only in my knee. However, I am looking forward to getting back into the gym and lifting weights again, so I am hoping some symptoms go away. Cheers!"

• PMC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2022

Anastrozole "I took Arimidex off-label as part of a hypogonadism treatment plan. Works great at what it does, incredibly potent at reducing serum estrogen levels, caused me moderate insomnia but no other side effects. Dosed orally with a liquid suspension."

• Mem...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 16, 2021

For Breast Cancer "Diagnosed with breast Ca in 2019, right at the time of COVID shutdown. Went through surgery and radiation therapy. Managed all that with few issues. But bring on the anastrozole and my life turned upside down!! Been on anastrozole now for 1 year. Side effects are kicking my butt!! Oncologist has tried other meds, but same issues. We are now trying every other day, but I don't see a big relief. Worst is the joint and body aches. Insomnia and diarrhea. I see on this post that it apparently is common for this med. Hoping for improvement, but doesn't seem likely."

• Sus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 30, 2014

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "Recurrence of HER2 cancer. Hip and hand problems. Horrible insomnia and memory issues. But does help hold the cancer back."

• SKI...
• March 24, 2016

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "Minimal problems. Been on for 1 year now. Joint stiffness in legs and weight gain. Had some trouble early in treatment with trouble sleeping. Gone now."

• peg...
• August 13, 2015

For Breast Cancer "I am having bad side effects: my eyes, my nervousness, my emotions itching, not sleeping, and my balance. I am having a hard time with this medicine."

• Pin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 18, 2016

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "Sweating, stomach upsets, joint back, hip pain, and leg pain, weight gain, sleeping problems, headache."