Although it helps, the side effects for most women are intolerable and upwards of 40% stop using AI’s because of this. My wife was able to take it for about a year. She developed carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands, and needed surgery to correct.brain fog, arthritis, depression, etc. I’m sure that not everyone will develop all of the side effects, but at some point, quality of life becomes more important than potential recurrence.
You are right. Unfortunately for many, the side effects can be intolerable. Although there are clear benefits, ultimately if the side effects become too much, then a discussion must be had with the oncologist. Having a quality of life remains an important consideration.
@@drtashag Unfortunately, we decided to just stop seeing him also. We felt like moving forward, yearly mammograms would be sufficient. Her tumor was 2.8 cm, ER/PR+, lumpectomy w/ goof margins, micro metastasis to 1 auxiliary lymph node. Dexa score was a 12. Radiation therapy for 5 days w/ 30gy. Radiation oncologist felt like she had about a 1% chance of recurrence.
@@healinhand - My tumor was similar to your wife's except my nodes were clear. I made the decision to have mastectomy (I"m a senior ) and no AI. I chose qualify of life over the POTENTIAL of a few extra years. Easy decision, no regrets. Enjoying my grandchildren.
The side effects are hellish just one tablet and I was thrown into a world,of hallucination pain ,dizziness blurred vision and.more .I am searching for away to deal with my breast cancer omitting these drugs
I’m sorry you are having so much grief. This drug seems to cause a compression of nerves. She’s now had 2 more surgeries for release. Had I done more research, I wouldn’t have suggested she take it…..
I am on anastrozole since November 2023.First three months I have only joint pain.Now I am feeling fine,no more pain.I exercise regularly and eat healthy.
I have been on it 4.5 years and considering taking a break. The side effects are just too much! I am stage lll with 19 bad lymph nodes removed along with double mastectomies, radiation burns, and no chemotherapy. I am an RN. Retired hospuce nurse of 16 years who saw way too many lying oncologists!
I hope things get better for you… I have also seen a few. The last one said we should try anastrozole. I asked him (I already knew) if this was an AI? He said no…. I said I’m sorry, we can’t see you anymore because you need some more experience…..
@@susiepingleton3614 seems she removes comments that don’t fit her narrative, which does not give her credibility. Maybe the Dr may learn something if she listened instead of just being a textbook information
My bone, joint and muscle pain is getting worse. Some days can hardly walk. On it since January. Thinking of just taking my chances with reoccurrence being my onco score was only 3.
@@amara1954 I could barely walk, my surgeon said stop, then I was put on Tamoxifen, that caused a pulmonary embolism (no symptoms, just lucky I guess it was found) on to a anticoagulant, that was horrendous, caused severe spinning which not one told me it would, said I had vertigo. I bumped into an oncology Nurse at an unrelated appointment, she said it was the drug. As soon as a scan showed the PE gone I stopped all, it’s taken me till now to get some sort of relief from back and side pain under some control, all exacerbated from the drugs. Don’t take them. There’s a new predict breast version 3 out, check it out with your information
Hello, Dr Tasha. Thank you for the informative videos. I'm curious, are Anastrozole and Letrozole the same? My mother, who is 52 years old, is currently taking Letrozole. Should I consider switching her to Anastrozole?
I took this product after my cancer and developed serious arthritis in my hands. My breast cancer was surgically removed and this med was prescribed afterwards. I quit taking it a month ago and am hoping my serious arthritis will go away in time.
Another informative video, thank you. Would it be possible for you do a video on the difference between anastrozole and exemestane and why you would be prescribed one over the other?
I took Anastrazole for 2 and a half years and throughout that time suffered from anxiety and nerves, I put that down to everything I was going through with my BC but it actually ended up being side effects from Anastrazole, it was an awful, it never occurred to me that the medication could be causing me to feel so awful. Im now back on letrozole and feeling anxiety and nerve free.
It's still an AI, so just like my Letrozole, causes horrible side effects.. I can only take mine most but not all days.. two days on, one day off, which comes out to not quite 70 percent of the time.. I may have to cut it back more, but am super high risk.. However, I know MANY women on a survival site I'm on, who ended up getting recurrence even thought they took one of the AI's every single day..
My BP rose to 215 after just 8 weeks after starting Anastrozole. Never a problem before that. I read an article saying that there's a .25 of a mg of Anastrozole, I can't find the article now . Do you know if that's available. Id take that instead of giving it up.
Hello Dr, I've been on Anastrozol for ~8 months and am dealing with many side effects. I can deal with the joint pain and hot flashes, etc but the worst for me has been weight gain around my middle and inability to take it off! I see my oncologist next month, but any suggestions? I've done WW, counting categories and counting macros. It didn't help that I broke my ankle 7 weeks ago, but I've been told limiting calories/macros should result in some loss, even without exercise.
Anastrozole makes my legs ache. I’ve been on it for 3 years. I take pain killers daily. Can’t wait until I’m finished. I did my lumpectomy, bilateral mastectomy, chemo, and radiation.
After taking this drug for a little over a year the side effects have ramped up. I found that odd that the side effects have gotten worse over time. Joint pain & hot flashes are almost intolerable.
I do fasting 16 hours which lower cancer coming back and help me loose weight with anastrozole is very difficult loose weight so fasting help and had great benefits
What do you think about using anastrozole and zoladex in premenopausal women? AI’s are showing to be more affective than tamoxifen ( I’m stage 3 breast cancer survivor on hormone therapy) Thanks
Hello doctor in today date can we treat tnbc metastic cancer disease is treatment available or is patient get treatment of this or not because I searched on Google it written down tnbc is difficult to treat and this type has not get that much treatment as compare to another ?
Dear Dr. Tasha, can you please explain that when anastrozole reduces estrogen by 70% doesn't it result in hormone imbalance by increasing Testosterone?
