Hello TRISHIEWOO,

Welcome to Cancer Chat and I'm sorry to hear about the side effects you're having. Different side effects can occur when taking Anastrozole, but there are ways of coping and I hope some of this infomation is useful. Please keep your medical team updated, as it's important that they know how you feel and I'm sure you'll find support from our wonderful members on the forum.

All the best,

Moderator Anastasia

Hello Trisiewoo

I am taking Anastrozole too but only been taking it for 6 months and my hair also changed not growing very much at and also patchy a post on here recommend changing the make either to Teva or Accord which now I am taking Accord so far so good pharmacy did say that the feed back from customer of certain makes of tablets can change how it works . Hope this helps as we have a long road to go on this medication. Takecare.

Patie

Hi Patie,

Thanks for your message. I was on the Accord brand originally but moved to the Teva brand when it was suggested the joint pain might lessen. I'm finding no difference between them re my hair, unfortunately. I have seen biotin recommended in some forums but no one can tell me if it is safe to use and whether or not it is oestrogen based which would rule it out.

I totally understand the main thing is to help people get well and hair growth is way down the list of priorities but there's not much advice out there other than suggesting I look at wigs or scarves.  I wore a wig for the best part of a year and I'm not going back there. Plus, once you have some hair underneath, wigs are unstable.

Good luck and keep well. X

I know this was posted a year ago but I just wondered if you carried on with the meds or came off them?

I've been on Anastrozole for only 6 months but feel it's ruining my life with both physical and emotional side effects. I'm in my 30s and having the menopause forced onto my body has been incredibly tough. My oncologist has confirmed the drug will only decrease my risk of reoccurrence by 2-4% over 5 years so I'm struggling to see the benefit when it is destroying my quality of life and confidence.

Hi there,

I completely understand how you feel.  The side effects vary from person to person and I have experienced joint pain as well as the hot flushes, etc, however, I think the benefits outweigh the negatives.  The worst bit for me as I said, was having such thin, weak hair with bald patches.  I have heard of others who have had severe stomach pain or other horrific side effects and they have had to stop.  My oncologist said he would look at moving me on to another tablet which would do the same thing but might not be so harsh. I have to wait until October for that when I'll be halfway through my treatment..  I am taking the Teva brand which I have found to be better than Accord but it's still no picnic.  

I was in the grey area for having chemotherapy and chose to have it as I didn't want to look back and wish I had done it.  The same goes for the tablets.

I chose to continue with the tablets.  There are a couple of other types of hormone inhibitors so it might be worth asking if you can try them.

I'm so sorry you are having such an awful time. 

Good luck and take care.

Thanks for replying so quickly . Yes I guess it'll be a case of trying all the options first and then making an informed decision. 
 

Did you find any solutions to help with the hair issues? People have recommended caffeine shampoos etc so I have started to use one of those but I've seen no noticeable difference so far. I shall carry on though!

I battled on for a while using volumising shampoos and conditioners, but it didn't make much difference.  I looked at biotin and other supplements but have been advised that some can interfere with the medications efficacy.  Omega 3 and vitamin C are allowed though I don't think they have made much difference.  Minoxidil is also supposed to help but it has to be applied every day and I was put off by some who said it can make your arms hairy while others said after all the effort, it made the problem worse!!

In the end I went to a company which does hair integration systems for hair loss recovery.  It basically attaches to your hair using a light net which has real hair.  It goes on the top and it's integrated into your own hair.  You wouldn't know it's not your own hair - you can swim, shower, wash and style your hair as normal.  You can even use straighteners and hair driers as it's real hair.  It is expensive but when I calculated it over a year it worked out much the same as going to my hairdresser every six weeks.  If you can afford it, the self esteem it gives you is worth every penny.  

If it's any (small) consolation, I have found the joint issues I had, have lessened as time has gone on so hopefully you will find your symptoms become less.  I hope so! Sending you a virtual hug!

Hi,  was just browsing to see if anyone else had bald patches and thin hair from anastrazole. I have been on anastrazole for 2 years now and my hair is still very thin and i have some bald patches. I go to  a very sympathetic male barbers to get it tidied up as I cannot bear the thought of going to a ladies hairdresser. 

I also had trouble with my fingers especially my right hand ring finger which would lock in a bent position (trigger finger)  and caused me to have to wear a splint on my finger,but I stumbled on a site which mentioned that high doses of vitamin D may help. Not wanting to just go ahead as high doses can also have side effects I contacted my GP who arranged for me to have a blood test to check my vitamin D levels which were found to be inadequate. He prescribed me a 10 day course of 30000 per day then to just have an OTC supplement. It really helped so perhaps you could get your GP to check your Vit D levels. I also have hot flushes but having had these for the last 19 years (I am now 74) I just accept them.

Hi. Can you say what company you used for the hair 'net' fitting?  Thanks.