Anastrozole and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Pol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 17, 2019

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed stage 1b lumpectomy, 4 weeks of radiation, then Arimidex. Well, the side effects are too much for me. The bone pain was excruciating, it woke me up at night. Fatigue, headache, nausea, foggy brain. I do yoga and walk 3 days a week. I have decided to go a natural path. Do the research for yourself before you make your own decisions. I just want a good quality of life back! I wish you all well."

• Lea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 26, 2014

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I took it for 5 years and 2 months. I cannot say if the changes were from chemo or from Arimidex. Changes in taste and smell persist. Frontal headache, blurred vision, cough, calcium loss - osteopenia. Stiff joints, long bone pain, sciatica pain of right leg, fatigue, wicked insomnia, hot flushes & flashes. Neuropathy in hands and feet, especially balls of feet and very sensitive tips of toes. Very dry skin, aged face, hair is very thin and breaking easily. Never got back full eyebrows, very SAD! I loved my eyebrows."

• mal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 16, 2020

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed with breast cancer Stage 1, Grade 1. Lumpectomy and radiation, no chemo. I am 7 months into taking Arimidex and joint and muscle pain are horrible. I am a very active person, having run all my life and going hiking. I am sore from head to toe in both the muscles and joints. Also, I feel more fatigued than usual. I just told my oncologist that I am stopping the Arimidex for now. My oncologist said to stay off the Arimidex for a month. I will then call back and let them know my status. They may then put me on another AI."

• Ind...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 21, 2019

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been taking Arimidex for six months. Insomnia is the worst part for me. Some hot flashes and moodiness. Weight gain of ten pounds due to fatigue and pauses in working out. Just recently I upped my walking to 80 minutes a day and cut out all sugar. This has helped me with the insomnia. Some joint discomfort, but not bad. Just trying to figure out what is the best way to help with side effects."

• Nij...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2016

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been taking Arimidex for 2 months. Within the first two weeks, my osteoarthritis has deteriorated from tolerable to barely able to walk. I cannot stand for long periods. My knees get stiff each time I sit. I have received a series of Ortho Visco injections and am hoping for a miracle. I must keep working for insurance coverage. I have vision changes, chest and muscle pain, also. I have added Fosamax due to the risk of calcium loss since I was diagnosed with osteopenia at the same time as stage 1 breast cancer. I am experiencing more fatigue with Arimidex than after radiation. I am not sure if I can tough this out for five years!"

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2019

For Breast Cancer "55-year-active female through the experience of breast cancer diagnosed in October 2018 with HER-EST+, 8 rounds of chemo, bilateral surgery, 23 lymph nodes removed, and 30 radiation treatments. I took anastrozole for 20 days and called to let the nurse know the symptoms that I experienced ~ I had shortness of breath, I itched, I hurt in my toes, knees, hips, bones popping, could hardly get up and down, sometimes stumbling. I wasn’t my active, bubbly self with family or friends. I had brain fog and was so fatigued I couldn’t even do the ten-minute PT exercises I had been doing daily for the past 2 months without wanting to fall asleep! I had cloudy urine and a UTI. My nurse told me to stop taking it for 2 weeks. I have been off of it for 8 days and feel so much better! I thank God for His blessings in my life and also for a support group of family and friends who have prayed, loved, and been there for me. I will continue to trust in God from here for my health! :))"

• Fig...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 8, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed with Stage IIIc, Grade 3 breast cancer in 2017. I had a lumpectomy and axillary node dissection, 16 rounds of chemo, and 30 rounds of radiation and started anastrozole after the chemo. The positives about the drug are: -Small, easy to take -Once a day dosing -Relatively inexpensive. The primary negatives, as others have said, are body and joint aches. I also have daily fatigue and some mood changes. I’m tempted to stop taking it but don’t because of how advanced my diagnosis was. I’ll continue to hang in there and do what I can to prevent further cancer occurrence."

• You...
• February 3, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I have atypical ductal hyperplasia. Initially put on Tamoxifen, stopped secondary to multiple side effects, including osteoporosis and poor quality of life. Took a 9-month drug-free vacation before agreeing to take Arimidex (anastrozole). Hot flashes and insomnia have been dependent on what time of the day I take the medicine; worse if taken in the late afternoon/evening. I have had a return of joint/arthritic pain in my hips, lower back, shoulders, and hands. I have fatigue, no libido, and have gained 15 pounds despite being active and eating healthy. Short-term memory is poor, and word recall is frustrating. I know many do well on this medicine, but I am not sure if I will stay on it."

• Blu...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 1, 2021

For Breast Cancer "I've taken anastrozole for just over two years now. I find the fatigue the worst. I’m just always tired no matter how well I sleep or how much I rest. The fatigue is relentless, so much so my whole life has changed. I no longer enjoy the active life I had, and I have gained a lot more weight. Even though I walk every day and try to do weight-bearing exercises, just doing the housework these days or going shopping is enough. The joint and bone pain gets me down too. Some days I can hardly bend down, let alone get up. It gets me down, so add low mood to the list. I've had no support either. I finished my treatment, then was put straight on this drug and feel I've been left to get on with it. If it were not for the fear of the cancer returning, I would quit this horrid drug. Every day is a struggle, and I’m not sure if I can do another three years. I want my life back."

• Rev...
• November 14, 2016

For Breast Cancer "Age 66. I had Stage IIA breast cancer, two tumors in the right breast, hormone receptive. I had a double mastectomy and seven lymph nodes removed (clear, thank God!). I dodged the chemo bullet, but the side effects from the anastrozole are terrible. Brain fog, fatigue, weight gain, severe hot flashes, and now such joint pain and tendonitis of the hamstring that I walk with a limp. Got a cortisone shot ten days ago. Seemed to help some, but the pain came back with a vengeance after a week. I can hardly drive, which is required for my job (hospice chaplain). I have to work. Oncologist advised today that I go off for a week to see if the leg pain improves. If it goes away after not taking it for a week, I'll have difficult decisions to make."

• 2...
• November 13, 2016

For Breast Cancer "Had my first mastectomy in 2002. Had my second in 2015. My oncologist put me on Anastrozole. The hot flashes were unbearable, but are subsiding after a year on the med. Unfortunately, now my feet are so painful to walk on I'm thinking that I would rather take my chances than deal with the pain in my feet. Having trouble with knee pain and every time I sit for more than one hour, I feel like I am 90. Hands ache and I'm too tired to get up and exercise. Is it really worth it? How much difference in recurrence does this give me now that I have had a double mastectomy?"

• Kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 26, 2019

For Breast Cancer "Have taken anastrozole for 8 months, following lumpectomy and radiation a year ago. After about 2 months, began to have severe hot flashes and insomnia. Eating more cold food and keeping air conditioning cooler helped. Symptoms followed such as exhaustion, low energy, and low motivation. For the past 4 months, have had extreme exhaustion, severe pain, and feeling achy all over like having the flu. I have also had 4 bouts of severe stabbing stomach pain, followed by nausea and vomiting and painful elimination. Walking more than a few yards is painful and causes shortness of breath. I am experiencing severe depression and have crying spells. Last week my oncologist told me to stop anastrozole for 6 weeks. I hope my symptoms decrease! But if so, I don’t know what will be recommended in its place. I am very concerned about cancer returning!"

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 29, 2019

For Breast Cancer "This caused side effects in that I had rare kidney infarcts (shower of blood clots) hit my right kidney. Six days in the hospital with everything else ruled out. Now on Aromasin. I had symptoms early on a few months after starting Arimidex. Veins in my hands would hurt very bad, then turn red/purple and then ruptured under the skin. I also had a very painful big toe weeks before the blood clots hit. Oncologist and NP ignored my concerns and kept me on the medicine. Needless to say, I have a new oncologist. Aromasin still causes the usual hot flashes, joint muscle pain, fatigue, and nausea. But better on all of those symptoms than I was with Arimidex. Good luck, ladies!"

• run...
• July 25, 2017

For Breast Cancer "Diagnosed April 2016. Stage 2, Grade 3. Lumpectomy. I finished doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin) and cyclophosphamide, followed by treatment with paclitaxel (Taxol) - ACT regimen in October 2016, and then radiation, January 2017. I was 100% estrogen positive and 90% progesterone positive. I was HR negative. I refused the anastrozole at first, but since I have been taking one pill every other day. I have been taking it for 4 months. I am 66. I have trouble sleeping (never previously). My energy has decreased. My muscles in my back are stiff along with my joints. I think I am retaining fluid in my limbs; not sure. I've gained 7 pounds. Sometimes my fingers lock and then snap; weird. I'm praying and trying to eat all the cancer-killing foods; quite a regimen."

• Ari...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2023

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "Retrospectively, I had little quality of life after taking it for only a few months. My oncologist saw me in a wheelchair because of all my joint/bone problems (I had bilateral knee replacements) and muscle and soft tissue damage. I have had to give up work due to dizziness, spinal problems, pain, and fatigue. The radiation oncologist took me off the medication. I feel like the wider medical community has no empathy for the probability that this drug could very likely impact someone's life badly by taking it."

• Lul...
• September 18, 2022

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been on it for almost 3 years now. I also need infusions for osteopenia. I'm an avid runner and have continued with my routine. It's more difficult to get out of bed due to poor sleep, fatigue, and knee pain. I force myself to keep up my routine and have managed to still run 50k races on a regular basis. It's worst in the mornings, but you need to get your body moving. I know the low estrogen is causing a lot of side effects also, but at my age (57), that was bound to happen anyway. To me, fatigue and bone pain are minor compared to the cancer returning. I know so many women that stopped taking it or never took it, and their cancer returned around the 10-year mark. What if you stop the meds early and your cancer returns? (granted, it can still return if you take the meds)"

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 13, 2021

For Breast Cancer "I’m coming to the end of my five years of taking Anastrozole (April 2022) after treatment for stage 1 breast cancer, lumpectomy, and radiotherapy. As with most of these ladies, I experienced crippling leg, hip, thigh, and joint pain. Also serious issues with fatigue. For what it’s worth, my daughter bought me good quality CBD oil to try to help. Help it certainly did. Within two days, I was without pain of any description in my legs, hips, and other joints. I am still taking it and will do so until I can stop taking Anastrozole. I’m not advocating CBD oil as I’m not medically qualified, I just think I should share the effects it had on me as I know how bloody miserable Anastrozole can make you feel. Do your own research, talk to your doctor (if you can!), and maybe try it yourself. I use the 1200 mg, 4 sprays per day. I hope this helps someone."

• Pam...
• October 25, 2016

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "Lots of hot flashes, fatigue, and weight gain, but the benefit outweighs the negatives of this drug."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 21, 2022

For Breast Cancer "This drug is horrible. I have a year and a half left, and I will stop taking it immediately. Terrible mood swings, depression, lack of energy, and lack of appetite."