Anastrozole and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2012

Anastrozole for Endometrial Cancer "Endometrial stromal sarcoma: I've been on this medicine since the hysterectomy/pathology report in March, about five months. Too soon to tell if it is working, but so far, so good. The side effects are as stated by many already: increased joint pain and stiffness everywhere, especially in the hands and feet, increased weight, minor and occasional dizziness, increased feeling of tiredness. I'm going to request a bone density scan to monitor the risk of osteoporosis. It is all tolerable so far, but I hope it doesn't get worse, and I hope none of it is permanent."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• January 23, 2012

For Breast Cancer "I have been on this medicine for about 4 months, and it's been rough. I have gained weight, have severe joint pain, swelling, and now having headaches. I have also pain or feeling of swelling behind my eyes. I really don't want to take this for 5 years! Going to the doctor in March-hoping there is something different to take."

• Zul...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 17, 2018

For Breast Cancer "It affected my central nervous system by damaging the sciatic nerve. Also, tiredness, increased weight, increased my osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, calcium is elevated, parathyroid hormone elevated more than 300."

• Don...
• February 23, 2018

For Breast Cancer "In 2015, 58 yr old, I was Stage 2 ER+93 PR+96 HER-neu, DC with sentinel lymph node positive, had 6 additional lymph nodes that were attached to sentinel removed but were clear and had lumpectomy (tumor was 2.5 cm) dx in April 2015. I had 4 rounds TC and 13 Rads July 2015. Initially started on the generic Femara, did great then into 10th month, had the joint pain, trigger finger, trigger thumb, and knee issues. Had dry eye b/f dx. Switched to generic Arimidex mfg TEVA-USA. Trigger finger, knee issue gone. On rx Restasis, eyesight back/t 20/20, halos gone. Fast forward 1 yr later doing great, no hot flashes, hair loss, sleeping great, 1 complaint weight gain - stomach. Started having vision issues, wrist painful like trigger thumb b/ worse! ck'd label on prescription & mfg was Bluepoint-Labor and NOT TEVA. Pharmacy switched prescription 3 mo. prior & that's when problems started. Had liver cleanse, started itching, whelts/ hives/ scratching. Now back to TEVA & things are better, eyesight returned, but my wrist hurts, but not as bad."

• Anonymous
• February 22, 2012

For Breast Cancer "I have been on this medication for 4 months and have gained 20 lbs. I have terrible hot flashes and am tired all the time. I have not experienced joint pain as others have, but the weight gain is very uncomfortable. I am having a double mastectomy in 2 months and hope I don't have to take this afterward."

• Bjs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2023

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I had a stage 1c tumor and had a bilateral mastectomy with skin and nipple-sparing surgery with immediate reconstruction. Was on tamoxifen, but I’m 60 years old, and my cancer was strongly hormone positive. I had the worst reaction with letrozole - painful blisters and rash like chickenpox. I take Arimidex now but am worried about osteoporosis, I already have osteopenia and take calcium with vitamin D daily. The worst side effects so far are weight gain and hair thinning."

• 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."

• deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2023

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I've only been on this drug for less than 4 weeks. During that time, my wrists became very weak. I need both hands to hold my drink. Hot flashes were through the roof (was wearing two shirts and they soaked through), vaginal discharge, and weight gain. Also, my cravings for all food increased dramatically, which caused the weight gain when before, I would forget to eat breakfast until 2 p.m. I'm taking high doses of C, D, berberine, milk thistle, and fembendazole. I can't imagine what I would be like without those supplements. I looked up anti-estrogen foods and found a list for 18 anti-estrogen foods on YouTube, including BROQ Sulforaphane, which is very promising. I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in September 2020 and told to get my things in order. I've done many alternative treatments. My radiologist told me to keep doing what I'm doing. Anastrozole is off my list. I'm a dog breeder and need to lift puppies. I won't suffer through the ramifications of bone loss from this awful drug."

• 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."

• She...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 25, 2022

For Breast Cancer "1st diagnosis, no lymphoid involvement, small tumor, had a lumpectomy with no chemo or radiation. 2 years later, it was in my scar and 1-3 lymph nodes. Don’t really know if they got it all out the first time. No chemo or radiation, but chose double mastectomy with reconstruction and endocrine therapy. I’m not sure when it became a do-it-all treatment, but seems to be the recommendation these days. I have been on Anastrozole for over 5 years. I thought I would jump at the chance to get off of it, but studies are showing you're better off to take it for 7 years. I might be higher risk due to no chemo or radiation. Not sure how I feel about that. I’ve had hot flashes, brain fog, some weight gain, just have to work harder. I’ve had ear ringing and dizziness at times, but it goes away. Hair loss and muscle and joint recovery after workouts has been tough. Side effects seem to be getting worse after the 5-year mark. I’ve lost interest in intimacy."

• 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."

• Pam...
• October 25, 2016

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "Lots of hot flashes, fatigue, and weight gain, but the benefit outweighs the negatives of this drug."

• 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."