After having stage 2 hormone receptive cancer, I had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy in 2016.
Facing up to cancer and the surgery were a piece of cake, compared to the side effects of the medication.
I started off with Letrozole and put up with the side effects until one night near Christmas, I was pacing the freezing cold conservatory floor, to ease the itchiness and bright red soles of my feet, to no avail. Eventually, I was seen by Oncology and changed to Anastrozole.
Although better, the joint pain, dry nose canal & nose sores, dry mouth and teeth/gum damage, excessive sneezing and runny nose (despite it being dry!!!), anxiety, depression, weight gain, higher cholesterol, skin itchiness and irritation, frequent bladder infections and finally, such horrendous vaginal dryness and vulva pain (I cannot even insert a 'yes' capsule without it being agonizing) and the fact that I have physically been unable to make love with my husband for over a year, enough is enough. I am 57 and want a life!!!
I now have to have bladder surgery, which I am convinced is due to the fact that the Anastrozole is drying my body out on the inside and I feel like an old, depressed, unfit lady, who used to be fit and a happy bunny, but can now only do gentle swimming (i've been told I am lucky to be able to do that!!!!).
The Oncologist/GP and Pharmacist have suggested changing brands, but none of them have taken responsibility for this and I have been left as the 'man in the middle', desperately trying to sort this out, when I am the patient!!
Cancer truly sucks and now that the yearly follow-up appointments with the breast care nurses and Consultant have have been pulled in the UK, i'm sure i'm not alone in feeling totally let down and left to sort myself out re the ongoing 10 year medication regime.
I have taken myself off Anastrozole now and have done so for the last month. Have I done the right thing - who knows, but I can't stand it any longer.
