Anxiety over taking anastrozole

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Lorrainenj
Lorrainenj Member Posts: 39
edited January 2018 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I had a lumpectomy two weeks ago. My oncologist put me on anastrozole. I am a very anxious woman and the doctor emphasized how many side effects this pill has. I need help. Please has anyone taken this pill and been ok? I looked online and got more anxious.

Oh and by the way I just took my first pill today and I am secretly certain I have all the side effects already lol. This disease rocks you!

DCIS Grade


Thanks.

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited December 2017

    I took anestrazole for four months before surgery. The only side effects I had were the hot flashes and night sweats. I took them at bedtime. I would occasionally have the hot flashes during the day but they were mostly at night. Hope that helps ease your anxiety.

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  • Snickersmom
    Snickersmom Member Posts: 926
    edited December 2017

    I have been taking Arimidex (which is anastrozole) since June. I was having night sweats and hot flashes occasionally but they have pretty much stopped. I did start taking fish oil twice a day - have been told that helps with both of those side effects.

    The worst side effects for me have been the weight gain and depression. That being said, I was pretty sedentary after my mastectomy, as my neighborhood fed us dinners for a month. As you might imagine, none of it was low-calorie! I haven't gained any weight but it has shifted so that now I have a stomach and I feel like my hips and butt are bigger, altho I am still wearing the same size. Since I don't have breasts, I can now see my stomach and I'm not happy!! So I am dieting and walking and that is helping, I think.

    As for the depression, I was already on Xanax and then switched to Zoloft before my surgery anyway. My depression is mostly because of ill-fitting tops. I have mastectomy bras with the silicone inserts but I don't wear them often because I still have some excess tissue in the front of my armpits. I am having scar revision in February for that. Hopefully, that will help. If not, I'll keep going flat. I'm pretty much used to it and it doesn't bother me to go out in public. I will probably be on Zoloft forever and I really don't care as long as I can stay calm and happy

    I also have back issues but I don't think any of those aches and pains are related to the medication. I have had back problems for a couple of years, and that's mostly disc problems.

    So bottom line for me is that the Arimidex isn't bothering me. Hope this helps you!

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited December 2017

    I was on it for 4 years. I had hot flashes and night sweats, they weren't bad. I live in Florida so sweat a lot anyway. The first 2-3 weeks I was pretty witchy, but that went away. I did get trigger thumb, my PCP did the shot and everything is fine there.

    Stay away from Dr google, he is NOT your friend.

    Not everyone has side effects. The ones who do are the ones you see here. You won't know till you try it.

    Breathe it will be ok!!😍.

    Forgot to say I take 1200 mg calcium and 5000 Vit D3 daily for my bones. Some here say vit K too, but I can’t take that , I’m on Coumadin.

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  • Snickersmom
    Snickersmom Member Posts: 926
    edited December 2017

    I definitely agree with Spookiesmom - stay away from Drs. Google and Bing! They aren't taking anastrozole - we are! They will tell you all kinds of things but we are the ones who know for sure.

    Just take a deep breath and then take one step at a time. You will get through this. We are all here for you

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  • Lorrainenj
    Lorrainenj Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2017

    oh wow yes you are helping a lot. I was just taking my Xmas tree down to keep myself from thinking about this medicine. I live alone and that doesn’t help. Sorry to hear of all you have been through. You are very brave. I think it’s weird to go through The mammograms, biopsy, seed, surgery, then have a doctor give you A pill that causes depression. What a crazy thing. I gained weight between the first time they saw the calcifications and the final surgery which was 10 months later. I was in the process of moving. So boo on the weight gain as I had planned to lose all this weight now that surgery is over. I am happy that I have good doctors, and I am happy that I have your support. Thank you very much. I will stop looking on Google I promise !!

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  • Lorrainenj
    Lorrainenj Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2017

    reread your post. Now I have an image of you walking around the block with your head held high and a ton of determination. You are definitely my hero

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  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited December 2017

    I hated the notion of AI. Could not avoid it. I tried but my DX had the final say. If you decide to take it, highly recommend Arimidex direct. $1 per pill straight cash. No insurance accepted.

    I lost 26 pounds due to chemo. Final chemo 06/26/17. Gained back 15. Had total hyst 10/30. I am 47. Started Arimidex 11/07. Counting my blessing that no mood swing(maybe due to 10mg Celexa), no hot flashes, minor joint pain. Been walking min 10000 steps a day. Doing a lot of antiinflammatory diet. Examples are garlic powder, red pepper, extra virgin olive oil, kale, pumpkin etc. Weight is slightly going down despite frequent eating. I love to eat and enjoy a glass of wine.

    Believe me I hate AI. I still shiver at the prospect I am on it min 7 yrs. But I am embracing the fact AI makes me conscious about diet and exercise.

    p.s. claritin helps w AI joint pain

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited December 2017

    Hi everyone...just want to remind everyone that there are two threads that address doing well on anti hormones. Good luck to all. Happy New Year!

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited December 2017

    My sister has been on anastozole for 5 years. No side effects. Ive been on a different AI, Femara, for almost 2 years. Very few side effects, nothing i would consider stopping the drug for. Good luck.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited December 2017

    My sister has been on anastozole for 5 years. No side effects. Ive been on a different AI, Femara, for almost 2 years. Very few side effects, nothing i would consider stopping the drug for. Good luck.

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  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2017

    Hi there!

    I did the exact same thing when I first took it, thinking I had a million side effects, been on it since Sept and had only a few hot flashes at night and no other side effects!

    Hope its going ok for you!

    Hugs,

    Traci


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  • Lorrainenj
    Lorrainenj Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2017

    it does help. Thank you so much

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  • Lorrainenj
    Lorrainenj Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2017

    thanks for the fish oil tip. I’m going to use that

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  • Lorrainenj
    Lorrainenj Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2017

    thanks for helping. I feel braver

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  • Lorrainenj
    Lorrainenj Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2017

    that sounds such a good way to look at it. Yes it does make you think more about eating healthy. Excellant point. Thank you!

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  • Lorrainenj
    Lorrainenj Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2017

    thank you everyone. I took my second pill today. Much less fear after I read your posts. You are all my heroines. I could not have taken this pill without your support. It means a lot

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited December 2017

    Lorrainenj - glad you took it! I remember staring at my bottle for one month before I had the courage to take the first pill.

    I took the first pill on October 1, 2012. I changed my attitude about taking it. Every day before I swallow that pill, I thank God for the people who brought it to existence - their education, their insights, their care, and that I live in the time when these drugs are available. IT HELPS! My sister started the drug 2 years ago. She does the same thing. Sure we have some side effects, but the benefits of the drug outweigh any side effects for us!

    Sending my best! It will get easier to take it!! Denise

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  • Lorrainenj
    Lorrainenj Member Posts: 39
    edited January 2018

    thanks everyone!! Day six of taking the medication thanks to all if you. My left arm twitched for three days and I had some trouble sleeping. A few other side effects but I keep telling myself it's going to get better. You are all so brave. I amsure I can do this now. Thanks for your support.

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