Hi Lena
Your side effects sound terrible, I really hope you get them sorted soon. I think you’re right that we are Guinea pigs in a way, trouble is we’re so scared of not doing what we’re told because of the potential consequences. X
Hi. I’ve been on Anastrozole for two years. Accord brand. I hobble on rising each morning but I’m ok after about 5 mins. I walk the dog 2 miles each day and feel fine. I’ve now got a bit of a tummy…it was flat when diagnosed and I don’t eat any more! Unfortunately, it was explained that a lack of oestrogen is to blame somewhat for aches, middle aged spread, dry skin and tiredness. My Oncologist at the time said ‘you can choose aching muscles/bones tablet (anastrozole) or weight gain tablet’ (tamoxifen). I chose her first suggestion. I think we all have different experiences so it is very difficult to know what to recommend. I feel really sorry for the ladies suffering awful side effects. I guess I’m just lucky…for the moment. X
Suffering too at the moment on anastrozole…it comes and goes but aches seem pretty bad now, maybe the colder weather and a change in footwear…can’t wear my comfy pumps in the rain! Mainly knees feet and ankles with me and a pain in my hip and down my skin for some reason that keeps me awake at night.I can have energy and be working away and then fatigue just hits.Difficulty getting up and down from bending- I’m a cleaner- and it does make me a bit fed up.Still mourning my dad and crying most days so a bit low with everything.
Hi all who have responded to me!
Thanks so much for your replies, I must say I am rather relieved to know it is not just me with these ridiculous aches and pains! But I so wish there werent so many of us.
We just came back from a week in Dorset, and walking up hills my legs suffered terribly with pain (day after) - felt as if I had been kicked in front of legs - whereas we did the same last year and I didnt suffer any pains! I just wonder if the longer one takes Anastozole the more affect it has on the reduction of oestrogen? My partner says I should ring the breast clinic, or the Oncologist at the hospital where I went for radiotherapy. It will be interesting to see what advice is given. It is a hindrance and not a nice one having aches and pains.Some days are better than others though, which is a bit of a mystery.
I am on these meds for 5 years (three more to go) but was told at the onset it may be increased to 10 years. A friend who had bc three years before me was on Tamoxofin - 5 years on and could do another 5 years, but she decided not to continue. Her symptoms mainly extreme tiredness.
Thank you again to all you lovely ladies who answer these posts.
Hi lovelies, have not commented on here before and I actually can’t believe I am reading this thread and feeling almost relieved. Not happy to hear that so many are suffering but that it is not just me who is going through this. I have been on Anastrozole for 2.5 years, I tried Tamoxifen and Exemestane too but could not get on with them. For the first couple of years the joint pain was bad but bearable, the past six months it has become unbearable. My joints seize up when i sit for too long and in the morning. I can barely hobble down stairs when I get up and my fingers and toes are excrutiating, it’s like I have set. My knees and hips are bad and I have now started to get achilles tendonitis in both heels. My wrists are agony and I am spending each day applying Ibuprofen gel to get through. I am 51 and I feel like I have aged 20 years in the past two. I want to exercise, walk and hulahoop and I am in too much pain I feel like it is a vicious circle. I feel knackered, tired and in constant pain. When I sit down for too long, or kneel down to play with the kitties I can barely get up again. Have spoken to my GP and he is arranging for a blood test and xray to see if I have rheumatoid arthritis but if not, and it is the anastrozole I am not sure I can stick it for the full 5 years. I am on zoladex to keep me in chemical menopause but I am beginning to wonder if I will ever feel fit and healthy again. You hope when you have gotten over the surgery and settled into the medication that you can restore some sort of normality in your life but this feels like it is getting worse not better 
x Jools xx
Hi Joolsey
It’s not joint pain that bothers me …its the low low mood it puts me in…plus mega anxiety!..i was thinking of changing to Tamoxifen
Hi GrumpyTrout!.. (Im sure you’re not!)
Thanks for that advice.
I 've only left it off one night and feel a lot less anxious already… .although further anxiety will prob come from me knowing that Anastrazole are supposed to be slightly more effective than tamoxifen!
Hi all, I’m a newbie ! I was diagnosed with secondary breast ca in march after a cycle of 6 chemo’s,I’m now on Anastrozole and Adcal-D3 which I’ve been on for 3 months .I also have a Denosumub injection once a month.The pain in my hands and feet is constant and nagging by day, but the pain in my hands wakes me at night.I’m 54 and my bone scans show that I have some arthritis.I was on Tamoxifen for 3 years and was achy to start with, but I was never in this much pain.Does it go away or get easier ,is there anything I can do to make it better? Dr says take paracetamol which does do much,I can’t take ibuprofen.
Hello sparrow
Some over the joint pain could be denosumab as I have been having it 2 years …I find 2 weeks after the jab , I get back ache and worst joint aches.
It’s hard to know if it’s the medication or the illness sometimes as I have secondary bone mets !
Xx
Hi, Ive only been on Anastrozole for a week and a half and its making be really nauseous and headachy. Is this normal? Im not looking forward to the achy limbs, etc that ive read about below.
I start my 3 week course of radiotherapy tomorrow.
Have to take these meds for at least 5 years
thanks Dawn
Rubycat I would love to find something for this pain…back hips feet ankles…do you have any side effects on amitriptyline? I’ve read of stomach problems and all sorts of stuff.I have a lot of bowel abd stomach issues and are scared I’ll add to them.
Has anyone found anything more "natural"ti helo with these awful joint pains? I dont have much money as theres only me on a low wage so dont want to waste money.I really dont want any more meds if I can help it…are there any supplements or therapies such as acupuncture, massage etc that have made a real difference? Cod liver oil etc dont touch the stiffness and pain, now in my knees and my feet…feels like I’m walking on broken bones.
Update on my Anastrozole story: When I last visited my breast surgeon in mid Feb., I told her that I was about ready to quit the Anastrozole because of the dibillating pain all over my body, but especially in my lower back and legs. She switched me to Letrozole and it seemed to make a small difference for a while, now I’m back to constant pain. I had a MRI done on my spine and found spinal stenosis, as well as bulging discs and arthritis, etc. (in other words, too many birthdays as my Primary Dr says). Dr sent me to a spine specialist and all he wanted to talk about is surgery or steroid shot. I declined both. Now the pain has worsened, even with me taking 15mg of Meloxican daily.
I go back to my Cancer Dr in a couple of weeks and will mention the Alendronic Acid and Adcal D3 that Rubycat talked about. After that, who knows??
Thank you Kate…i’ll give that a try.I’m always a bit wary as i’ve tried various tablets and health products and they invariably upset my stomach as I have ibs.
Hi, I’m new here but have been following the posts since diagnosis 2 years ago and have found much useful info and reassurance in them. I have been on Anastrozole and Adcal-D3 for about 18 months, for the first year combined with Herceptin injections. For the past few months I’ve been suffering some annoying little side effects and wonder if anyone else has the same thing - really,really dry itchy scalp with dandruff which is more like cradle cap and also dreadful external genital itching - so bad sometimes I can’t stop scratching till I draw blood (both ends!) GP just recommended moisturiser and various medicated shampoos none of which helped! I noticed that the brand of tablets has changed a couple of times, now on Accord but don’t know what previously - anyone know how I could find out? I know there are far worse se’s (I have the sore joints,weight gain,etc.,) but somehow the itching gets me down more. Any advice gratefully received.
Hi just read your post and yes l can relate too some of it. I’m new to the site as l also was diagnosed with breast cancer in May this year. I have been in Anastrozole for 2 weeks and all my body is painful. I was told this would happen and also wondered if l could take supplements like maybe Vitiamun E and D?? Guess l need too speak to oncologist or GP ?? I start my rads soon won’t see my oncologist till Nov this year. Can you help please?
I had been taking 1000mg of cod liver oil daily for over 10 years before I was diagnosed in 2015. I’ve been on Anastrozole for over 3 years now and not suffered any joint pain at all - the bit of stiffness can probably be put down to increasing age (now 60). Hot sweats have been my biggest bug-bear. I also do Pilates which may help too?
I am now 6 months in to taking Anastrazole. The first 3 months were not so bad, but then the joint and muscle pain has kicked in big time. Am getting hot flushes which I expected but can cope with those. If I sit for too long I feel stiff and first thing in the morning I hobble out of bed like a 90 year old! I have seen on here also about finger pain, got that too although it doesn’t wake me up again first thing in the morning they are also stiff. I am taking glucosamine chondroitin so lets see if this makes any difference. I exercise regularly, haven’t had dairy for over two years due to an intolerance, just wondering if massage will help, albeit expensive. I was 8/8 ER+ so need to take this as I feel this only 4.5 years to go…
I’m 9 months in and up to now have been ok. Just this last couple of weeks I have begun to get increased leg pain, night sweats and feeling weepy! I am now having to push myself to maintain my 11000 steps a day walks and to attend my spin and pump classes. I’m very pxxxxd off as I thought I was doing ok. I’m at the docs tomorrow for a fit note to return to work ?.this might be why i feel depressed!! Will discuss side effects with her.??
The thing is I had already gone through the change 10 years ago. So I can’t get my head round where all the extra oestrogen was that caused this damned thing!! Well done to every one who is managing to exercise it surely has to help. Feel a bit brighter today even though I’ve been to a funeral think it made me pull myself together and be thankful that I’m still here!!??