I’ve been taking Anastrozole for 15 months, not a lot of side effects that weren’t manageable till the last 3 months. The joint pain in knees, hips and my right hand has started hurting in the thumb area along with tingling and numbness.
Has anyone had this problem and gotten relief later on in treatment. I do water aerobics 5 times a week, even hurting in the water now.
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I am a postmenopausal female and have only been taking Anastrozole for 8 months. Painful joints and lethargy were the initial highlights and still continue, both of which are really frustrating. I too have had days when the bases of both thumbs were too painful to grasp or bear the weight of a normal sideplate. Each site of pain lasts a day or two and then it’s on to the next area. This cyclic nature is curious. However, I am also having 6-monthly infusions of zoledronic acid and after each of the two so far, I feel really unwell for 3-4 weeks with increase in pain & fatigue, slight nausea and headaches, sleep disturbance and frequent hot flushes day and night (don’t know whether, as a male, you experience that particular delight). My indigestion has become a nightly event too along with intermittant mild digestive disturbance, but I am also on low dose Metformin for diabetes Type 2. It is difficult to know which medication to blame for which symptom ! So, not much help to you as I am not as far along the track as you. Just thought I’d sympathise … and would welcome any comments from people who also suspect the zoledronic acid is to blame for the intensifying of symptoms. Wishing everyone on this site well.
I have been on anastrazole 18months and was managing for the first year but ax each month went on I was suffering with joint and muscle pain everything hurt. Spoke to my breast care nurse who suggested I stop for a bit and see surgeon again but I can’t go through those side effects again. Had any one changed tablets?
I’ve been on Anastrozole for about 15 months, I didn’t have any issues until the last 6 months
Aches and pains are getting worse and my right hand has pins and needles a lot of the time, no strength in it when that happens.
I’m seeing my oncologist in October, hopefully can get it sorted out, I also have vaginal problems.
Dear suzzflwr (I’ve recently become a member here hence tardy response)
I too managed reasonably well on Anastrozole for the first 6 months or so, but now (month 10) the pain is constantly increasing. Exactly as you say, in knees, hips, thigh, but most of all, my right hand/fingers/wrist. I can barely (and not without sharp pain) brush my teeth, reach to wash certain body areas, chop veg, spread butter, or grasp things. I can still write, but not as neatly. The inside base of each finger and my whole thumb and wrist are the worst bits.
Did you find any improvement since your post on this? I’m seriously considering chucking the pills and infusions in case any irreversible damage is being done or any permanent disabilty is developing.