I started taking Anastrazole 6 weeks ago and am struggling. I can deal with the endless hot flushes, though it is disturbing my sleep, but the headache is intolerable.
I have never really suffered with headaches and I think I have had headaches, especially over one eye and temple, every day since starting it.
I wasn’t happy about hormone treatment at all. I had DCIS which also had areas of invasion. It was oestrogen positive and I had two WLE surgeries. I start radiotherapy in 9 days.
My oncologist wasn’t helpful but indicated that my chance of reoccurrence was 10%, that radiotherapy halved that to 5% and Anastrazole halved it again to 2.5%
for the potential side effects and the terrible headaches I am experiencing it just doesn’t seem worth it.
Have others had these terrible headaches and fatigue and are the numbers she gave me right
has anyone else shopped hormone treatment completely after just a few months
Hi @Dolly dreams the numbers given to you are an estimate of recurrence pertaining to your details - stage, grade, size and type of tumour, whether you had clear nodes or not and what your age is. These estimates are based on data derived from other patients who have similar details to you. No-one actually knows how effective treatment will be for any individual.
Aromatase inhibitors like Anastrazole are clinically proven to be effective in reducing reoccurrence in post-menopause women BUT for many, this comes at a price in the shape of a range of side effects. Not everyone gets SE and some get them worse than others. It’s the job of oncologists to eliminate cancer so, whilst the SE are acknowledged, I’m not sure that many of them accept that a woman would choose to risk recurrence over the treatment. But some do. There is a figure of 20% bandied around about those who give it up but who really knows ? I wager a lot more do but never own up to it. I know a number of sensible women who gave it a go in good faith but stopped, albeit usually within the 18-24 month range.
As for headaches, yup, I get them plus the brain fog, low mood, fatigue and giddiness. So much so I’m being sent for a CT scan of my brain on Monday to make sure there’s nothing untoward causing it. I was also put on a short holiday from endocrine treatment 3 weeks ago and have considered not going back on.
Have you discussed your SE with your oncologist? He or she might offer an alternative brand of Anastrazole or a different AI or even a change to Tamoxifen. Certainly worth a try. After that it comes down to personal responsibility as no-one can force you to take the pills. Before you take any decision, discuss it with your medical team, your family and friends and make sure you consider how you might feel in the future if you do stop and then get a recurrence. I do empathise with you re the headaches, they are tough to take.
So sorry to hear that you are suffering with terrible headaches. I’m a little further down the road, having completed 5 fraction RT in February following therapeutic mammoplasty in November for localised IDC/DCIS.
I also had a constant dull headache with more pain on the left side (and a twitchy eye) at the outset of anastrazole treatment. I think we underestimate the impact of the prolonged stress of diagnosis and treatment which can contribute to this. It has settled down after nearly 3 months together with various random joint aches etc. so it is worth persevering. Unfortunately ER+ breast cancer as I’m sure you know can cast a long shadow.
I hope that you’ve healed well from your surgery and wish you all the very best for your forthcoming RT. It will be fine. It may cause more fatigue but that too will pass. Listen to your body, rest when you can and remember to stay well hydrated throughout RT and afterwards.