I was prescribed Anastrozole. After reading up on potential side effects, and with 2 close friends who had taken AIs (letrozole or Anastrozole) and described to me the awful side effects they had experienced, I agonised about it and came to the conclusion that I would rather take nothing than risk such an impact on my quality of life. I think the side effects on letrozole are very common. My oncologist was sympathetic and prescribed me tamoxifen instead. For me there is a small 1% difference in 15 year survival statistics between tamoxifen versus Anastrozole. If you are post menopausal you are generally offered AIs, but tamoxifen is also appropriate. One of my friends developed trigger thumb on letrozole and swapped to tamoxifen and so far no side effects. My other stuck with Anastrozole for 4 years, but came off it periodically to be able to do her tikwando gradings as she Anastrozole  made her joints ache, made her feel 5 years older and made it harder to learn new things. She kept a diary which was really helpful. I have now been taking tamoxifen for just over a month and no side effects so far. It is a personal decision, but for me quality of life is important. I was also prescribed bisphosphonate infusion to protect my bones when I was prescribed Anastrozole. AIs apparently cause up to 3% bone density loss per year.  It is very complicated to weigh up all the different pros and cons, but there are choices. I just think that sometimes it isn’t made clear that there are choices. It is a very difficult time, with so much to take in when you suddenly discover that you are no longer fully fit, but have breast cancer.  

I was prescribed Anastrozole. After reading up on potential side effects, and with 2 close friends who had taken AIs (letrozole or Anastrozole) and described to me the awful side effects they had experienced, I agonised about it and came to the conclusion that I would rather take nothing than risk such an impact on my quality of life. I think the side effects on letrozole are very common. My oncologist was sympathetic and prescribed me tamoxifen instead. For me there is a small 1% difference in 15 year survival statistics between tamoxifen versus Anastrozole. If you are post menopausal you are generally offered AIs, but tamoxifen is also appropriate. One of my friends developed trigger thumb on letrozole and swapped to tamoxifen and so far no side effects. My other stuck with Anastrozole for 4 years, but came off it periodically to be able to do her tikwando gradings as she Anastrozole  made her joints ache, made her feel 5 years older and made it harder to learn new things. She kept a diary which was really helpful. I have now been taking tamoxifen for just over a month and no side effects so far. It is a personal decision, but for me quality of life is important. I was also prescribed bisphosphonate infusion to protect my bones when I was prescribed Anastrozole. AIs apparently cause up to 3% bone density loss per year.  It is very complicated to weigh up all the different pros and cons, but there are choices. I just think that sometimes it isn’t made clear that there are choices. It is a very difficult time, with so much to take in when you suddenly discover that you are no longer fully fit, but have breast cancer.  

I have been on Anastrozole to shrink my tumour so no chance of coming off it. I had no side effects for the first month but I am now on the one the GP prescribed and it is a different brand. I am beginning to get headaches and diarrhea - do you think the brand can make a difference.

Dragonfly

Hi dragonfly,

I’ve read on various threads that the brand does make a difference. People mention different ‘fillers’ alongside the actual drug and suggest trying a different brand to reduce side effects. I think that it is the pharmacy that choose the brand, but I could be wrong. Worth trying to gat back in the one that worked best for your u.

Hi, I have been taking Letrozole from 6 weeks and feel very anxious and depressed. I feel like the choice is either the depression or the cancer returning are my options. What are the chances of it coming back if I stop the Letrozole x

Hi yorkielady,

Welcome to Cancer Chat. I just wanted to send a reply as the thread you have posted on hasn't been active in a while. You may still receive a reply, but if not you can always create your own new discussion on here to hopefully generate some replies.

Do also discuss your question with your doctor/specialist when you can.

Wishing you all the best,

Ben
Cancer Chat Moderator