Breast Cancer Now Forum

Morning Appletree,   I had all of your symptoms while on Anstrozole for 15 months.  I was switched to Letrozole 6 months ago and while I still hurt all over and "  Slower cogition; like thinking through pea soup." (love this), it doesn't seem to be quite as bad.  I don't think there is any hormone blocker that does not have some side effects.   Gaylene ... View more

Morning Penbry,   I can't remember how long I took the Anastrozle before I had all the nasty symptoms. In fact, I was blaming everything on Fibro, RA, in fact my GP doctor ordered tests to see if I had any of those (I did not). I was on it for 15 months before I was switched to Letrozole, and while I'm not symptom free by any means, the pains lessened somewhat.   Gay ... View more

Fray, There are other hormone blockers available and you can ask your doctor to switch you to one.   I was switched to Letrozole after a year on Anastrozole when I just couldn't handle the pain anymore and I can tell a big difference.  I still have body aches but since I'm 74 years old, that's to be expected.   You don't have to suffer, talk to your doctor and tell him/her that you want on another med.  Good Luck! ... View more

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?? ... View more

Thank you Ruby, sometimes I feel like I can't take another day of the constant pain.  I take 2-3 Ibubrofen once or twice a day and Meloxicam  once a day just to keep the pain down to a dull roar.  In addition to the pain, my mind has gone over the deep end.   I got a kitchen knife to spread peanut butter on a waffle before church Sunday morning and went back to get silverware for dinner and there was my peanut butter knife back in the drawer!  Sometimes I think I'm losing my mind.  Anyway, I am going to mention the  alendronic acid and Adcal D3 to my oncologist for pain.   Thanks for your help. ... View more

This could be my story!   I've taken Anastrozole for a little over a year  with a slight (and I mean Slight) decrease in joint pain after 1 year.  I'm actually embarrased that I hobble like a much older person -- I'm 73 -- when I first stand up and have to depend on my family to support me when I'm getting out of the car or chair in a restaurant.     I've had back pain for quite a while (arthiritis ) but it has been gotten 10 times worse since I started on this medicine.  There has got to be a better way of preventing the cancer from coming back.     ... View more