Stared Anastrazole and have been having huge mood swings with lots of tears. Is this normal??? I spoke to Breast Care Nurse and she informed me they would keep me on this for 12 weeks before considering any change. Any experiences welcome please.
Hi Bonsai23,
I am sorry to hear you have been experiencing these side effects. I am sure if any of our users have had similar experiences they will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime you may want to look at our page on Anastrozole or call our helplineat 0808 800 6000 who will be able to talk to you through any questions you may have and offer a friendly ear. The opening hours are below.
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Late opening Wednesday 9am-7pm,
Saturday, 9am-1pm
Best wishes,
Lizzy
Hi Bonsai, I started Anastrozole just over a week ago and yes feel very emotional. Also very hot…not like hot flushes but just hot!
I’m not usually a bad tempered person but feel a bit on a short fuse at moment.
Hope it improves for both of us!
Can I ask if you’re taking it in morning or at night? I’m taking mine in morning as didn’t want sleep interfered with but wondering if it would be better to change to night.
All the best,
Pat xx
I take mine in the morning as well (more to do with actually remembering to take it). I don’t sleep too well anyway so don’t want to make that any worse 
Thanks Pat, I do try that (I go to yoga but have been unable to for the last few weeks) and it does help I am not usually an emotional person (or rather don’t show it) so the moods have been a bit of a revelation to my husband - everyone says I am really strong so they aren’t quite sure how to handle me letting it all out!
Hi Bonsai, I’ve been very emotional since being diagnosed and I don’t think Ive become more so since taking anastrazole. I suffer hot flushes as am still going through the menopause (13 years now) but since taking this I now get dreadful sweats during the night. They did seem to get a bit better for a week or so but are now back, this might be because I’m now having radiotherapy. One thing that has happened, and I’m not sure if it’s the anastrazole or something else is, the whites of my eyes are red and my vision is blurry. I’ll have to until I finish the rads to go to the GP as by the time I get back from rads I’m shattered and not up to a long sit in the surgery for an evening appointment.
as Pat said, be kind to yourself, we’re going through a horrible time, but hopefully it’s just something we have to get through and soon will be able to put it all behind us and it will become a distant memory xx
Thanks Lesley, I have started to even out emotion wise (well yesterday anyway) so hopefully that will continue although I do find myself being a bit short with people at times which isn’t like me. I have always been the one to look after others so perhaps I need to take my own advice (and yours/Pats) and be kind to myself xxx
Hello. I’m beginning to get increasingly anxious about starting Anastrozole … Ridiculous but more so probably than anything else on this rocky road! However, I am getting in the practice for showing my “vulnerable” side - I figured the family should be prepared!! X
I do understand where you are coming from the whole process reveals your vulnerabilities x at least on here you can talk about things openly x good luck with your practising
I seem to be practicing a little more each day - I shall soon be perfect ?
Well, I said that I hadn’t been any more emotional - scrub that! Yesterday morning I took my poor patient, loving husband’s head off for no reason, then on answering the phone to my sister promptly burst into tears when she asked if I was ok. It might be lack of sleep and the stress of traveling to and from rads every weekday and nothing to do with the pills. Had 9th session this morning so well over halfway, ticking them off my sheet is now the highlight of my day. Don’t get anxious about the pills Janey, try to take each day as it comes (says she who doesent practice what she preaches) and hope all goes well tomorrow. And Bonsai, lets hope by the time it comes to the review by your BCN your body will have got used to the pills and you’ll feel better, that’s what I’m hoping for, we deserve a break surely xx
The rollercoaster of emotions - you never know what will come next thank you all for your support and comments - we are in this together x
Very definitely; and boy does it help! Lesley, yesterday I too managed to bite off my lovely man’s head - no idea why, poor man! Lack of sleep is so horrible and I hope it does start to get better for you xx
Thank you and I hope you get some answers on the pain xx
Not sure what your appointment is/was today Janey? Hope it’s a good result xx
Thank you (again!). A longer reply on other thread, but do kind of you to think of me. More surgery for more margins and twice the size they thought it was 
Treatment plan is still up in the air. Hope you are in less pain and light at end of rads tunnel soon xx
Hi Janey, so sorry to hear about the additional surgery x how soon will it take place? Will be thinking of you
Thanks Bonsai. I am with an amazing team and everything so quick! I go in on Thursday afternoon and hopefully out again in the evening. More straightforward this time, as no sentinel node biopsy, so no dye or wire. Thank goodness for this site. I’ve felt a bit emotional this afternoon but have found saying “don’t be nice to me” is helping! I have a wonderful friend who has started sending me abusive (tongue in cheek!) messages, which are brilliant! How are you doing? Xx
I like your idea of the abusive messages, made me laugh I am ok until someone asks me if I am ok! Managed to pick up an infection but on antibiotics which seem to be working, just means my radiotherapy is being slightly delayed. The mood swings are still happening, my poor husband doesn’t quite know how I will be from one day to the next, he is feeding me up as an antidote still quite sore and can’t get comfortable at times. However I have been trying to make plans for the future in order to give me something else to focus on. I will be thinking of you Thursday x so pleased to have found these forums, really helps take care xxx
I couldn’t put here the message She sent me tonight, would end up with the moderators throwing me off this site! My poor partner needs a support group for him! It’s horrible for everyone this thing touches. I hope your pain eases and have a cool and peaceful night xx