About to start Anastrozole

Hi lovely people!
I am about to start taking anastrozole and have read about the aide effects and seen on here that some people find it really challenging. Has anyone got any positive experiences of taking this please? :pray:
Love to you all xx

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Hi @yogi1 you may want to take a look at this thread. I know it says Letrozole but Letrozole and Anastrazole ar pretty much interchangeable. Exermestane is a bit different. Tamoxifen is something altogether different. Just click the pink title hyperlink.

Remember people who have no issues rarely post on the forum. Good luck with it

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Hi @yogi1 , I’ve been on Anastrozole since April 22 . At the start tbh it is tough but stick with it , you’ll find in the morning that you’ll find walking painful but it eases , the pain in your knees and all the joints are sore but I’d recommend Epsom salt baths and plenty of exercise helps a lot . It’s worrying taking a medication like this but it’s the better option I think personally than not taking it . Best of luck x

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Hi! I have been on Letrozole for 5 years now - just another 5 years to go !! I have just turned 65, play tennis 4 times a week for 2 hour sessions , walk an hour a day too. Yes you do get aches and pains but is that just me getting older and I do have Arthritis too?
I think the important thing is to remember how lucky we are to have this drug and what an important job it does for us .
I do think the menopausal type symptoms tend to fade as your body becomes accustomed to it also so best of luck ! Xxx

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Hello
I started on Letrozole Feb 2023 pre my treatments and surgery but got such bad mood swings, and night sweats i asked to change this after finishing my chemotherapy and was put on Anastrozole August 2023

Side effects to date:

Occasional night sweats, normally when ive been exercising or dog walking for more than an hour that day but they only last seconds so very manageable ( i have a cold pillow)

Thigh aches, these lasted for the first 3 -4 months and have gone with the warmer weather

Pins and needles in both hands but this might be the Anastrozole or my chemo)…they arent sure , I’ve since seen my GP had nerve conduction tests and am now taking turmeric with a steroid injection likely in 2 months ( on a waiting list) and the odd ibuprofen

All of this is manageable and i see them as something i can deal with if it helps keeps the disease away and gives me a normal life expectancy so i see these as an inconvenience which i can manage ( be it that using a needle and thread or doing up my bra is a struggle)

If the brand gets changed that can affect some people so try to get one that works and then ask your pharmacy to only provide that one

Good luck

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Hi Yogi1, I have been on Letrozole for 5 years now and have another 5 to go. Yes some brands do seem to give different side effects. I think most of the brands are not brilliant for your joints. I have found that I can walk ok but not climb stairs very easily now as my knees do not seem to be strong enough. However I am now 73 so it could also be old age getting to me. I will continue to take this little pill if it might hopefully keep any cancer away. You take care.
Sunshine21.

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I wss put on anastrozole 2 months ago after a horrendous 7 months taking letrozol and so far im not having any side effects apart from not being able to sleep at night . This was soon remedied by taking the tablet in the morning . Its worth giving it a try but remember there are other medications you can have if anastrozole doesn’t suit you. Good luck x

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Yes- I haven’t had side effects. Been on it for 3 years now. It was suggested that I take it at night, which I do. I hope you have an easy journey.

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Oh this is the most cheerful post to respond to. I started taking it last November and have no had one symptom. The only bit of this whole process whereby I felt someone was giving me a break. As I took the first tablet, I said to my partner ‘see you in 10 years’ - but not one symptom. Thank God.

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