How soon do Arimidex (Anastrozole) side effects start?

Options
Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited October 2018 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I've asked this in another thread but sometimes replies get lost in the shuffle mixed in with other important matters. I saw a recent post started "How soon do Tamoxifen side effects start?" I found the replies very informative, especially how far out some side effects can begin. I find learning from others can be more helpful than reading a list of side effects in a lifeless pamphlet.

But Tamoxifen isn't Anastrozole so their may be differences, and I'm on Anastrozole, which I started a about two weeks ago.

For months, mentally and with my doctors, I fought taking Anastrozole based on my history of negative side effects from many medicines and reading the many potential negative side effects from this drug. My oncologist finally convinced to to give it a try for a month.

Well, to my surprise, I have had few side effects to date and can live with them: only one night sweat in two weeks; 3-4 times feeling flush in the face; some days feeling "slow" but that can be caused by my age (74) and insomnia, which I've had for years; minor stomach irritation.

Anyway, is this beginners luck or do more side effects manifest themselves the longer you take it; months? years later? Anything Anastrozole users have to especially watch out for?

Thank you.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited October 2018

    With me the first few days my tongue felt fat, strange to swallow. Of course my doctor said he never heard of that, it is typical to an allergic reaction. Of course he blew it off, it seemed to settle down. Slowly the effects of joint pain were cumulative reaching a peak about 1.5 years in. I finally said this is too much pain and the doctor switched me to exemestane. I also had developed an ear problem with ringing. At the time I was a consistent swimmer. The ear ringing never went away but joint pain got better. The exemestane caused skin and severe dry eye I was on that a while. Now I am off of AI drugs the joint pain is much much better and dry eye is gone. I still have the ear problem.

    If you take AI drugs I recommend taking paxil it helped me others say allergy meds help too.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2018

    Thank you. Sorry to hear about all your side effects. I'll have to wait more to see the full side effects.

    Why do so many people have to take anti-depressants on these drugs?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited October 2018

    The anti depressants help with side effects. I took paxil and it seem to help with of all things hot flashes.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JosieO
    JosieO Member Posts: 314
    edited October 2018

    viewfinder,

    I had read a ton of info on AI drugs while I was still in radiation therapy, but knew from my pathology report that AI’s were definitely in my future. After a good discussion with my medical oncologist, I decided I would just take them (I take Anastrozole) and see how I felt. Like you, i’ve not noted any side effects, so try to not imagine them or put them in my head. I know my oncologist will help me if I do exhibit side effects.So I just go forward each day.

    Frankly, my best medicine is daily exercise. I finish my program (weights and cardio) and go home feelinggood. I recommend it to everyone.

    Best wishes to you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited October 2018

    I walk 3.5 miles for 1hr everyday on the treadmill it never helped with the pain. Neither did swimming a mile every other day. Being healthy is great along with eating well but it never prevented my cancer or counteracted the joint pain associated with AI drugs. The pain only subsided when I stop taking the medication. I managed about 4 years no more.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PhoenixCruiser
    PhoenixCruiser Member Posts: 118
    edited October 2018

    Took my first one this morning - thanks Viewfinder for posting this question.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sara536
    Sara536 Member Posts: 7,032
    edited October 2018

    viewfinder,

    I am so happy for you that you are doing well on Anastrozole. I often wonder if I might have tolerated it better if I had been allowed to start with a small dose and build up slowly. The pain hit me like a ton of bricks immediately. My doctor expressed surprise - as though she had never heard of such a side effect and she offered no suggestions for dealing with it. After 4 days I just couldn’t put another pill in my mouth. I had not done any reading on side effects ahead of time and the doctor had told me that since menopause had been easy for me I would have an easy time with it- so I was not anticipating bad side effects at all. I ended up feeling totally betrayed. People are so different... I am amazed that this drug is prescribed “one size fits all”.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2018

    Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. It's strange that some people have side effects and others don't.

    JosieO, It's wise not imagine side effects or put them in my head but, at my age, I have enough aches and pains, so I want to be prudent and know what to look out for.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CaliKelly
    CaliKelly Member Posts: 474
    edited October 2018

    For me the side effects, mainly hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia, started right away. I just stuck it out,with my sweaty self, and after about a year, stopped noticing the hot flashes, and night sweats. Insomnia hung on a little longer, I used sleeping pills when I really had to sleep. Been taking it about 2 and a half years now, with only a hot flash now and then . Not really bothering me anymore. I hated it at first!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories