Anastrazole

Hi

I have taken anastrazole for 2 years, my original Dexa scan was normal (2019).  At first I had joint pain, but this settled.  During pandemic I gave up my job as a receptionist, and a friend asked me to clean for her 7 hours a week.  It is a large 6 bed house that I cleaned over 2 days a week, and after a while it was hurting my lower back.  I kept going, just took painkillers, then 4 weeks ago I stopped as back was painful.  The pain has improved a lot, on a scale of 1-10, 10 being its worst, its now about 2 or 3.  Doesn't hurt at night, just niggles.sometimes.  I rang my GP, as I had become fixated on bone cancer.  I was diagnosed with DCIS 2 years ago, and 4mm nodule invasive.  No node involvement, lumpectomy and radiotherapy, anastrazole 5 years.  I requested another Dexa scan, and was lucky to get a cancellation today.  The radiographer did the scan and got her supervisor to check it.  I panicked (born worrier, and asked if all OK).  She said it was standard procedure and it was just the technical side, she didn't read results.  Now I'm panicking that anastrazole has caused damage, or worse.  My GP said my back would not get better if it was serious, only worse, and would hurt all the time.  She asked me lots of questions, and said my symptoms didn't fit very serious, but the cleaning job could well be a factor of pulled muscles.  Please someone, give me a way of being positive and not worry so much.  I was so lucky the mammogram programme picked up my DCIS/4mm nodule, and my outlook is excellent.  I think with covid, it's just so much doom and gloom, I have been left scaring myself.  Sorry to vent, I'm a nightmare! 

  • Hello Anxious57

    I'm sorry to hear that you've been having some health concerns recently. Joint pain is a recognised side effect of anastrazole, and back pain can be part of this but it's really reassuring to hear that things have improved since you stopped the cleaning job. 

    Hopefully, you won't have to wait too long for the Dexa results and your GP will be able to give you some reassurance that there's nothing of concern. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Hello Jenn

    Thank you for your reply and kind words.  Its the time of year for my annual routine mammo, so I think it all plays on my mind this time of year, and takes me right back there!  I need to man up lol.!

     

    Kind regards

    Sharon