Anyone else having heart issues on AIs?

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SoLinda
SoLinda Member Posts: 120
edited September 2014 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I took anastrozole for two years and have been on letrozole for the past year.  I am being treated by a cardiologist because a month or so after starting anastrozole, I started having heart palpitations, arrhthymia, and breathless which occurred even when laying down and which got so bad that after a few months, I never knew when they would strike and I couldn't walk ...  I was put on a beta blocker named Atenolol.  This has been helping ...  But, now - the same symptoms are returning even with beta-blockers.  And my cholesterol has shot up as well.  I am thinking it is because of the AI I take.  Along with a zillion other side effects, this is the last straw for me.  I want off AIs!!!  Is 3 years way too soon to come off them?  I am so worried about my heart ...  I already had a pulmonary embolism right after chemo and also take warfarin every day in case the AIs effect my blood coagulation ...  I am 52 and have never had heart problems prior to this whole "cancer ride".  I will see my main onc. tomorrow ...  Thanks in advance for any advice!

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  • SoLinda
    SoLinda Member Posts: 120
    edited September 2014

    Just thought I would update in case anyone is interested. My main onc. decided to take me off Letrozole and it will NOT be replaced with the third remaining AI. Because I am stopping Letrozole, I will also be stopping Warfarin.  I am thrilled about this and even more committed to continuing my excellent diet and exercise regime.  

     

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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited September 2014

    I had the same symptoms on letrozole and they all went away when I stopped......I was told Anastrozole would most likely cause same problem, and Aromasin was recommended after a two month break.  So far I have only had slight breathlessness on Aromasin after a year so it is very different........good luck!

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited September 2014

    solinda - yikers!  AI seemed like a non event, but 1 yr check up 10% bone loss! cholesterol up from 150 to 216. I've been walking 4-6 miles a day, dancing, weight lifting and taking extra vits so this was a shock...had Zometa infusion and will discuss options at next 6mo check up.   Took a  month vacation from Aromasin and gave been hit or miss taking meds..seriously plan on seeing cardiologist and determine if I'm done with HT.  Tami is not option due to family history strokes uterine cancer.  MO stressed micromets in lymph nodes...ugh...

    But feel like all these SEs may not be worth QOF.  Feeling very old somedays and just hit a young beach girl 60. Still pickle all, line dancing, kayaking, gym rat, organic veggie girl...not and old grey mare...

    Wish you well...

    Cindy

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  • LittleMelons
    LittleMelons Member Posts: 273
    edited September 2014

    Hi solinda - it's strange, I was going to post something about this very subject.  I have been on Arimidex for about 31/2 years and I also have heart palpitations.  During the day, when I am active, I don't notice them, but at night lying in bed I am quite conscious of the palpitations. Have never experienced breathlessness, though. A couple of years ago my family doctor referred me for a complete work-up with a cardiologist and he thought everything looked fine.  At my last check-up with a new family doctor, I could tell from the technician's remarks that I had an abnormal ECG, but I heard nothing further from the family doctor regarding follow-up.  She had just seen me so maybe she thought I was okay.  Not sure if I should push for a follow-up.  I hate being on Arimidex, but am afraid to go off it. 

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  • SoLinda
    SoLinda Member Posts: 120
    edited September 2014

    Lily55 - so glad to hear you only have slight breathlessness on Aromasin (Anastrozol) - please keep an eye on this though coz that's how mine started and got progressively worse!  Good luck to you, too!

    RMlulu (Cindy) - Sorry to hear about your bone loss!  That is one of the few side effects I didn't get on AIs!  Like you, I exercise, and have a fab. diet.  I am tired of feeling 200 years old, and I am committed to continuing exercising and eating very healthily, but with quality of life!!!!!  I am stopping Letrozole tomorrow and am waiting to hear back from another doctor as to whether I should wait a week to stop my "preventive" warfarin or stop both at the same time ...  I wish you well, too!

    LittleMelon - I know exactly how you feel!  I notice the palpitations much more at night - it took me seeing a few doctors before I was diagnosed with superventricular arrhythmia and the beta blocker I was prescribed helps a lot, but not completely.  I will be having a ton of follow-up tests on my heart in six months - where they will see if I am better off not being on Letrozole ...  I sure hope so!  Tamoxifen is not an option for me as I had a pulmonary embolism.  And for some reason, Exemestatine wasn't even offered as an option! I wish you all the best.

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