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Anastrozole for Breast Cancer

Chocolate
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Hi all,

I haven't been on here for a while, and hope you may be able to help.

I had breast cancer 4 years ago, and have to take oestrogen suppressing  medication.  I had been taking Megace up until Dec '15, but due to a manufacturing problem therefore unable to get it, I have been prescribed Anastrozole and have been taking it now for about 5 months.  I have a significant number of hot flushes and freezes throughout the day and night, but 'm learning to live with them.  The side effects that are bothering me are restless legs every night and the bone pain which seems to be particularly in the feet, making it very painful to walk.  I am only 52 but feel like 102 having to shuffle along until the pain recedes.  Does anyone else have this problem?  If so, have you got a solution.  I don't go back to see the BC nurses until October, so if anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it.

 

 

  • Hi Chocolate, 

    I don't think we've met as I only started a few months ago but it's always nice when members return although I'm sorry about the circumstances under which you have returned.

    Side effects can be common and I have found some information on our website about anastrozole here that may help. Also our specialist cancer nurses are also available to chat to as well. You can call them for free on 0808 800 404 from a UK landline and they are available Monday - Friday between 9a.m-5p.m.

    I hope this helps and hopefully other members who have also taken anastrozole will reply soon to offer their advice and share their experiences with you.

    All the best, 

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline

    Hi Chocolate (great name by the the way!) I have been taking Anastrozole for about 14 months now have found that I have very different levels of side effects depending on the particular brand I take. It was a bit hit and miss to start with but I tried 3 ot 4 different types and have now settled on Accord, which seems to give me fewer and less side effects than the others. Some night sweats but nothing during the day and yes I still do the shuffle you talk about due to a sore hip but nothing like as bad as when I first started on Anastrozole. My pharmacist now only orders this one brand for me which is great so at least I know what I am getting each time. I have also heard that a very mild anit-depressant can help with hot flushes so maybe have a word with your GP about it and also anything he/she can suggest for the bone ache as well? Take care Sue x

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Steph

    Hi Steph, 

    Thanks for your reply.  I have read the side effects leaflet and was advised of them when prescribed this medication.  Thankfully, I do only have a couple of side effects from taking them.  If the pain doesn't ease, I may ask my GP for some pain relief.  I have tried taking paracetamol, but it doesn't really make any difference to me.

    Chocolate :)

     

     

  • Offline in reply to susu

    Hi Sue,

    Thank you for replying.  Glad you like my name.  Chocolate was about the only thing that still tasted good when going through Chemo, well, that and HotPot, but that didn't seem to have the same ring to it ;)

    Derr, I can't believe I didn't think of trying a diffent brand!  I started off on Tamoxifen, but had horrific side effects to that, but one of the things I did then was to try umpteen different brands before it became too much to cope with.  With Anastrozole I have only had TEVA brand.  Did you try this brand too?  I have only just got a new prescription for this next month, but may ask my Pharmacist for Accord next time and see if that is any better for me.

    Getting ready in the morning takes me 10 minutes longer these day as I have to take breaks of 5 minutes when drying my hair or putting on my make up in order to get past the hot flushes.  If the timing is wrong, no sooner have I applied my foundation, I have a flush and it is seeping out of my pores!

    Thanks again for the advice, I will def give it a go.

    Chocolate xx

     

     

     

  • Offline in reply to Chocolate

    Hi Chocolate, always glad to help. I did try Teva but for me Accord is the best of the bunch so I hope it works as well for you too.

    Just my wicked sense of humour but HotPot sounds quite an apt name for you, given the dreaded flushes?!! 

    Take care  Sue x

     

  • Offline in reply to susu

    Ha ha, that made me laugh.  Very true, I hadn't thought of it that way.

    Thanks for the advice about the brands.  Still don't know why I hadn't thought of that before.

    Chocolate HotPot xx

     

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