I'm so sorry to hear your mum is having problems with anastrozole, how long has she been on them? I started anastrozole in July and it's taken until now for the aches and pains to settle, I still get them but they are now manageable....

There other hormone inhibitors she can change to.....my onco told me if my pains didn't subside, I could stop the anastrozole for a few weeks then swap....I believe ( and I'm not 100% sure on this) that anastrozole is one of the more expensive drugs ....if she hasn't been on them long I'm hopeful the side effects may calm down...but it's definitely worth chatting to her gp or breast nurse about it, she mustn't suffer in silence....x

Sorry to hear your mum is suffering side effects of Anastrozole. I've been taking them since February 2019. At first, no real side effects, but for,the past 3 months or so I've had chronic back, hip, knee and wrist pain. I can't take NSAIDs as I'm on blood thinners and Paracetamol are of little help. I was always a very fit person but the side effects have curtailed my walking and swimming.

id be pleased to hear of any other hormone drug that has fewer side effects. There are also horror stories about Exemastane too!

Thanks for your reply Abimeister, I’m so sorry that you’re suffering so much as well, it must be awful, I can’t even begin to imagine!! My mum was also very active before all of this, she’s 79 but you would never know, she had a bone scan yesterday & now she has an appointment with the consultant in 6 weeks & we can discuss the tablets then, I will ask if there’s an alternative, surely there must be - as she said she can’t take these for much longer, thanks again for taking the time to reply xx

Hi Rose46

I switched to anastrozole at the end of April and I'm struggling on it, symptoms similar to your mum; I used to be very fit and active also, running cycling and swimming, regular 10 mile walks. I can't do any of that now, even short walks are a struggle and I'm exhausted all the time. It's a while since your mum had her follow-up appointment, so I'm just wondering if she was able to change medication and her life has improved. I very much hope so as I have great sympathy for her in the situation you describe. I can fully understand she'd be getting depressed and asking what is the point.  
wishing you both all the best

Emma

I had all the same problems.

Please go back to oncology or breast nurse.

 You need advice. I talked to my oncologist and was told I could stop taking Anastrozole.Best thing I did.It's taken time but I am feeling better. My hips don't ache, I can walk our dog. Soon I will start back with my Yoga classes.

please don't carry on like this.

Thanks, I have an appointment on 10 Aug. 

I just wanted to see what others' solutions had been. I hope you are doing ok now.