Anastrozole and Pain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• 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."

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

For Breast Cancer "ER, PR positive, Her2 negative invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 1B, grade 2, size of tumor a little over 1 inch. Had lumpectomy, lymph nodes removed, followed by radiation. My oncotype score was 25. 26 would have meant chemo. Started anastrozole the middle of March, and by the first week in June, I could not walk and was in so much hip pain. Hair fell out like crazy, and my entire body was swollen. I am 56, very active-hike, swim, walk-and am happy. I was miserable on anastrozole. At first, I was headed to the ER because I was in so much pain I couldn't even move. Then I called my primary care physician, and then it occurred to me that I should call my oncologist. She said she would give me a two-week holiday from anastrozole. It is two weeks tomorrow, June 16, 2022. I feel 100% better. My energy has returned, I can walk and feel alive again. I would rather have quality of life than quantity with no quality."

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

For Breast Cancer "ER, PR positive, Her2 negative invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 1B, grade 2, size of tumor a little over 1 inch. Had lumpectomy, lymph nodes removed, followed by radiation. My oncotype score was 25. 26 would have meant chemo. Started anastrozole the middle of March, and by the first week in June, I could not walk and was in so much hip pain. Hair fell out like crazy, and my entire body was swollen. I am 56, very active-hike, swim, walk-and am happy. I was miserable on anastrozole. At first, I was headed to the ER because I was in so much pain I couldn't even move. Then I called my primary care physician, and then it occurred to me that I should call my oncologist. She said she would give me a two-week holiday from anastrozole. It is two weeks tomorrow, June 16, 2022. I feel 100% better. My energy has returned, I can walk and feel alive again. I would rather have quality of life than quantity with no quality."

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 7, 2021

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "First 6 months hand/severe arm and shoulder pain at night that would wake me up and continue for a while and trigger thumb. I’ve been on it for 8 years, and symptoms went away after that initial period. God bless all of you, and try to stick it out, symptoms get better, I think, when your body gets used to it."

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 7, 2021

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "First 6 months hand/severe arm and shoulder pain at night that would wake me up and continue for a while and trigger thumb. I’ve been on it for 8 years, and symptoms went away after that initial period. God bless all of you, and try to stick it out, symptoms get better, I think, when your body gets used to it."

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 7, 2021

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "First 6 months hand/severe arm and shoulder pain at night that would wake me up and continue for a while and trigger thumb. I’ve been on it for 8 years, and symptoms went away after that initial period. God bless all of you, and try to stick it out, symptoms get better, I think, when your body gets used to it."

• Lul...
• September 18, 2022

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been on it for almost 3 years now. I also need infusions for osteopenia. I'm an avid runner and have continued with my routine. It's more difficult to get out of bed due to poor sleep, fatigue, and knee pain. I force myself to keep up my routine and have managed to still run 50k races on a regular basis. It's worst in the mornings, but you need to get your body moving. I know the low estrogen is causing a lot of side effects also, but at my age (57), that was bound to happen anyway. To me, fatigue and bone pain are minor compared to the cancer returning. I know so many women that stopped taking it or never took it, and their cancer returned around the 10-year mark. What if you stop the meds early and your cancer returns? (granted, it can still return if you take the meds)"

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2022

For Breast Cancer "Diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, Stage 2, at age 45 in June 2021. Had a lumpectomy and 5 weeks of radiation. Took tamoxifen for eight months, then had a full hysterectomy and was changed to anastrozole in May 2022. Not many side effects the first few months, for the last 2 months, I have had a lot of muscle and joint pain. I told my oncologist I was going to stop taking the medication. It has now been three weeks, and I am still having a lot of pain from head to toe. I also have fibromyalgia, so at first, I wasn’t sure if the pain I was feeling was related to that. This pain is definitely worse and nothing like I have felt before with fibromyalgia. I am very stiff, especially my hands and fingers in the morning. I have pain in the bottom of my feet, my knees, hips, hands, and elbows. My doctor agreed to stop this medication for a month or so to see if the side effects go away and then start on another AI, no thanks! ☹️"

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 13, 2021

For Breast Cancer "I’m coming to the end of my five years of taking Anastrozole (April 2022) after treatment for stage 1 breast cancer, lumpectomy, and radiotherapy. As with most of these ladies, I experienced crippling leg, hip, thigh, and joint pain. Also serious issues with fatigue. For what it’s worth, my daughter bought me good quality CBD oil to try to help. Help it certainly did. Within two days, I was without pain of any description in my legs, hips, and other joints. I am still taking it and will do so until I can stop taking Anastrozole. I’m not advocating CBD oil as I’m not medically qualified, I just think I should share the effects it had on me as I know how bloody miserable Anastrozole can make you feel. Do your own research, talk to your doctor (if you can!), and maybe try it yourself. I use the 1200 mg, 4 sprays per day. I hope this helps someone."

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 13, 2021

For Breast Cancer "I’m coming to the end of my five years of taking Anastrozole (April 2022) after treatment for stage 1 breast cancer, lumpectomy, and radiotherapy. As with most of these ladies, I experienced crippling leg, hip, thigh, and joint pain. Also serious issues with fatigue. For what it’s worth, my daughter bought me good quality CBD oil to try to help. Help it certainly did. Within two days, I was without pain of any description in my legs, hips, and other joints. I am still taking it and will do so until I can stop taking Anastrozole. I’m not advocating CBD oil as I’m not medically qualified, I just think I should share the effects it had on me as I know how bloody miserable Anastrozole can make you feel. Do your own research, talk to your doctor (if you can!), and maybe try it yourself. I use the 1200 mg, 4 sprays per day. I hope this helps someone."

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 13, 2021

For Breast Cancer "I’m coming to the end of my five years of taking Anastrozole (April 2022) after treatment for stage 1 breast cancer, lumpectomy, and radiotherapy. As with most of these ladies, I experienced crippling leg, hip, thigh, and joint pain. Also serious issues with fatigue. For what it’s worth, my daughter bought me good quality CBD oil to try to help. Help it certainly did. Within two days, I was without pain of any description in my legs, hips, and other joints. I am still taking it and will do so until I can stop taking Anastrozole. I’m not advocating CBD oil as I’m not medically qualified, I just think I should share the effects it had on me as I know how bloody miserable Anastrozole can make you feel. Do your own research, talk to your doctor (if you can!), and maybe try it yourself. I use the 1200 mg, 4 sprays per day. I hope this helps someone."

• Shi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 3, 2022

For Breast Cancer "I have been taking Anastrozole for 4.5 years now after I was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer. Grade B2. I had chemo first before surgery. No cancer left after chemo. Then double mastectomy. With Anastrozole, I do get a little pain in my hips, but walking and running daily really helps. I also have had trouble with bladder and sore vagina. Coconut oil or Manuka honey really helps, and exercise daily. For bladder infection, D-mannose is better than antibiotics. I have had brain fog, but exercise really helps. After reading all the comments, I am definitely staying on Anastrozole for 10 years."

• 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."

• 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."

• CAF...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2018

For Breast Cancer "Very bad pain in my arms, hands, and fingers. Trouble sleeping. Tired."