Anastrozole and Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Kim...
• September 10, 2014

For Breast Cancer "I am new at taking anastrozole (30 days). For the past week or so, I found it impossible to get up and around for work because I was so sleepy. I think it has increased my lower back pain, and it has been hard getting up from bed due to pain and stiffness. My oncologist advised me to quit today until we can discuss alternatives. I am 59 and had a partial mastectomy and radiation."

• SoD...
• February 13, 2017

For Breast Cancer "I have been taking Anastrozole for 2 years, and just in the past 3 months have I had any side effects. All of a sudden my knees ache, I had to have shots in my wrist and thumbs for tendinitis. I exercise regularly and could not figure out why this was happening until I researched the side effects. Has anyone tried Letrozole? Same side effects? I am only 53 and not really wanting to feel like I am 90. I am grateful to be alive, but what are the real chances that this will re-occur? Right now I am on Anastrozole that is preventing recurrence, that caused tendonitis and trigger thumbs and was given Meloxicam for painful joints, so when does the medication end? So frustrated. Thankful for your input."

• Dr ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 27, 2017

For Breast Cancer "I have been taking anastrozole for 2 years, 2 months following a double mastectomy, chemo, and radiation. I had trigger thumb surgeries on both thumbs the first year. I am a dentist, so not being able to bend my thumbs is not an option. My hair is very thin. My knees are so sore I can hardly walk when I first get up. Getting down on my knees is excruciating! I am an active person, but I move like a 90-year-old woman. I am thankful to be alive and thankful that this medication is available. However, if anyone knows how to help the knee pain, please share."

• Nic...
• May 24, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I have been on this medication for half a year. I was on tamoxifen for 3 and a half years, but after I had my ovaries removed, I was moved onto anastrozole. Since starting, my entire body hurts. My bones, my hands, my joints, everything. I have been backwards and forwards to doctors who have not been much help. Aside from the pain, emotionally it makes me worry I have cancer somewhere else. Some days I can hardly get out of bed with it. Some days the pain is just an ache, other times, just sharp pains that can be anywhere. I am persevering, though, I figure I would rather have the pain than get cancer back, so if this helps at all, it will all be worth it. There are days that I am not so positive, but I only have a year to go... I am 44."

• 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."

• Dee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 3, 2016

For Breast Cancer "Taking anastrozole for three years after lumpectomy and six weeks of radiation for stage 1 BC. Lately, joint pain has been intolerable. Sometimes NSAIDs help. Exercise helps but is hard to do when joints hurt to begin with. Also, can't go a whole day without having to lay down from feeling so tired. Completely fell apart on vacation. Was simply incapable of walking up a hill. So short of breath, knees and lower back pain unbearable. I had to stop every few feet and hold onto something. So far, no evidence of recurrence. Will report all this to the oncologist, as I'm not sure I can continue this daily struggle. Sixty-five feels like eighty-five."

• Sur...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 8, 2015

For Breast Cancer "I started anastrozole one year ago in June 2014 after a double mastectomy. I did not need chemo or radiation as I caught the cancer early and my Oncotype DX score was very low. The first 3 months I didn't notice any side effects. But then I gained (so far) 10 lbs. and I am very active and work out 5 days a week with weights and cardio (I am 60 yrs. old now). My hips, lower back, especially left side, and knees hurt a lot and my knees feel weak. It makes it very difficult to get up off the floor. Also, both thumb joints hurt all the time. No hair loss or nail issues, but some hot flashes. I wonder if it will get worse - still have 4 years left."

• Sur...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 8, 2015

For Breast Cancer "I started anastrozole one year ago in June 2014 after a double mastectomy. I did not need chemo or radiation as I caught the cancer early and my Oncotype DX score was very low. The first 3 months I didn't notice any side effects. But then I gained (so far) 10 lbs. and I am very active and work out 5 days a week with weights and cardio (I am 60 yrs. old now). My hips, lower back, especially left side, and knees hurt a lot and my knees feel weak. It makes it very difficult to get up off the floor. Also, both thumb joints hurt all the time. No hair loss or nail issues, but some hot flashes. I wonder if it will get worse - still have 4 years left."

• Nen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2018

For Breast Cancer "After 3 months, agonizing knee pain in both knees, muscle pain down the left thigh, pain in the left hip. Only started when I began with anastrozole. Was fit and did lots of gardening until then. No painkillers seem to help."

• Nen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2018

For Breast Cancer "After 3 months, agonizing knee pain in both knees, muscle pain down the left thigh, pain in the left hip. Only started when I began with anastrozole. Was fit and did lots of gardening until then. No painkillers seem to help."

• GGa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I have ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) at 70 yrs old. Was told the anastrozole would affect legs and possibly cause osteoporosis. I am one year into it and have 4 more to go. My leg pain (especially lower - like shin splints) keeps me up at night. Better when standing. Lying down in a supine position seems to trigger it. Hands are weak, but until after reading these comments, I had no idea this may be the cause for that as well. Having a hard time holding onto things. I seem to be a little forgetful, but that could just be my age. I'm sharing all unusual feelings as it may help someone else relate as it did me after reading some of these. I'm afraid to take tamoxifen as it is known to cause vaginal bleeding. Don't need that! Now Dr. says to try letrozole if I really can't deal with the pain. Being 70, I need my legs to be in good working order - the grass isn't always greener, but I think I'll give it a try."

• Joh...
• March 11, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I was taking bioidentical hormones. The doctor insisted I take Arimidex with the pellets. OMG, I was strong, healthy, and never had joint pain. I can barely do yoga, my hip joints and knees hurt. I am cancer-free, but this doctor wouldn't give me the hormones without the Arimidex. As soon as I got the injection, I knew it was the Arimidex that was causing the pain. Four months later, I was getting my hormone injections again. I told her I would not take the Arimidex. She made me sign a release saying she wasn't responsible. Of course, I did. But she didn't sign anything saying she caused this terrible pain."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 26, 2018

For Breast Cancer "Severe side effects: sword-like shooting pain down one arm, inflamed wrists, trigger fingers on one hand, off balance, pain in one knee. Just turned 80 yrs. Took anastrozole for 1 and 1/2 years. Off the drug for 8 months. Had lumpectomy in 1993; chemo and radiation, intraductal carcinoma. Neg lymph nodes. In 2016, had mastectomy, same breast, estrogen and progesterone positive, oncotype 0. Oncologist said not to continue on the medication because of side effects and was told to exercise, take vitamins. For pain, I was on 1600 mg of Tylenol per day. Now on Comfort Max from Life Extension - no more Tylenol. I still have slight pain in wrists, finger tingling, knee pain occasionally."

• 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."

• Ari...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2023

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "Retrospectively, I had little quality of life after taking it for only a few months. My oncologist saw me in a wheelchair because of all my joint/bone problems (I had bilateral knee replacements) and muscle and soft tissue damage. I have had to give up work due to dizziness, spinal problems, pain, and fatigue. The radiation oncologist took me off the medication. I feel like the wider medical community has no empathy for the probability that this drug could very likely impact someone's life badly by taking it."

• Rol...
• October 16, 2016

For Breast Cancer "Her 2 positive breast cancer stage 3: early detection, cancer removed. Had blockage of cancer in 1 lymph node: good: it blocked cancer from spreading, bad: gave me stage 3 harsher protocol from studies. I had 6 months of 3 types of chemo every 21 days. Then 6 more months of Herceptin only (newest Trojan chemo drug on the market), very expensive. Had 6 weeks of radiation every day of the business week. I have been on Arimidex now for 3.5 years, and effects are making me wonder why I'm living daily like this in pain, etc. I'm 65 now. I have all the harsh symptoms, newest is my jaw cracking and sticking. With all that chemo drug therapy, including this drug, surgery, and radiation, I'm choosing to stop. It's hard to rate, so I gave a 5."

• 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."

• Dro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2017

For Breast Cancer "I was only on this drug for two weeks and developed severe swelling, redness, and pain to the bone above the ankle, pain in the thumb, reconstructed breasts felt like they were on fire, and I cannot feel four of my toes in my right foot! I now am wearing a boot on my left foot for the swelling!"

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2023

For Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed in December of 2022 with DCIS Stage 0, non-invasive, unfiltered, grade 3. Lumpectomy and radiation treatments in spring of 2023. I did well. Started to take anastrozole in July 2023. No major side effects for me. I sleep okay. A slight pain once in a while. I exercise, eat healthy, meditate, and pray. I keep a positive attitude daily and it helps to climb that mental mountain daily too."

• 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!"

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 28, 2018

For Breast Cancer "I had ER+ HER2+ invasive ductal carcinoma in October 2015. We did adjuvant therapy of 16 chemotherapy treatments, then lumpectomy followed by 30 radiation treatments and a year of Herceptin treatments. I’ve been on anastrozole for about a year and a half. I don’t have any big side effects, however, a bit of bone loss on my bone density. Of recent, I have some minor knee pain when I get up out of a chair and some stiff hands on occasion. If this is how the next 8.5 years will be, I will definitely stay on this medication."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."