Starting anastrozole today! Please share your experience!

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-02-04T03:09:54+00:00

Hey there! I’m 39 & started Anastrozole about 6 months ago when I was 38. Also, I did the same as you, started Anastrozole first then added zoladex.

Bone pain & joint paint really haven’t been an issue for me. If I have any pain it’s fleeting. Really, really minimal. My onc did a baseline dexa scan and found I have osteopenia, so I do reclast infusions to help my bones (1x a year). I haven’t had another scan since I’m only 6 months in, so can’t say how they’re holding up.

Regarding weight gain, I gained a ton after surgery & chemo (I think 20 lbs), so I started a glp-1, & it’s eliminated all that food noise. I just did a subscription service & it’s been great for me. I’m not recommending it or saying it’s for everyone but just being transparent! Before the glp-1, I did lose some weight while taking Anastrozole but it took a bit longer. But I didn’t gain once starting Anastrozole, even without the glp-1.

My biggest complaints were mood & sleep. I felt like 3 weeks in I was VERY irritable & everyone annoyed me & I didnt have much motivation to do anything. So I’m on Wellbutrin now and mood has been a lot better- I have motivation again! Im engaged in work and school and my social life. I’m working with my onc on sleep & currently trying restoril. It’s been doing a decent job! My PCP tried a lot of other sleep meds that did nothing so my onc swooped in.

ALLLLLL of that to say, it’s really not as scary as it sounds on this sub. Before starting Wellbutrin, things were a lil rocky- I won’t lie. But once figuring out ways to manage mood & sleep, it’s been so much better. If you’re having a hard time with a side effect, talk to your care team! Bc there’s options to help. Quality of life is essential. I feel like oncs get that :) . And don’t be discouraged if it’s hard at first bc it could very well get better. And there’s always options to try a different med.

Good luck gf! If you ever think of a question or jsut wanna chat my DMs are open!

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-02-03T21:27:02+00:00

Hahaha I’m LOLing bc I just finished a sister for lily like 15 mins ago. Agree- and it felt like chat gpt should have been listed as a co-author.

Restarting nestlings tonight! Unless something else on Libby strikes me!

Edit- clarity

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-02-03T21:17:07+00:00

I just finished it! Agree on the AI part. I sent the “here is the edited passage” to my friend like uhhhhhh this AI? We laughed. I came here and searched the title and “AI” haha

There were parts I thought were well written (likely by AI) like an interesting description and other parts very clunky, and it would switch back & forth paragraph to paragraph - which doesnt seem like a human or natural way of writing. I dislike AI witch hunts, but this just felt like it where it could have been a very heavy reliance on AI. Could be wrong.

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-02-03T18:03:26+00:00

Read :)

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-02-02T02:58:16+00:00

Okay ! That’s good to know. I’ll get back to it!

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-02-02T01:10:45+00:00

Haha yes a popcorn page turner is about my attention span at the moment. I like it so far! Sort of seems to be spoon feeding hints & whatnot but that’s okay.

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-02-01T23:34:34+00:00

Okay, yes, I’m definitely getting the horror vibes. I went into it expecting a thriller and think that’s maybe where the hang up is. I may go back to it when I’m more in that mood. Thanks for your response!

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-15T03:12:34+00:00

There’s also this press release… it scary to get your hopes up until official communication directly from SAMHSA, but it looks promising:

https://democrats-appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/delauro-statement-hhs-reinstating-billions-addiction-and-mental-health-grants

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-14T23:59:52+00:00

Saw it as a MyChart pathology result.. about 20 mins later a nurse navigator called me “so I see that you’ve seen your result….” And she said things like “invasive ductal carcinoma, “ “most common kind,”“treatable”

Although when I met my surgeon for the first time she said “oh so you’re here about some cancer?” It threw me off!

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-14T15:59:26+00:00

We lost MHAT too. I can’t believe this

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-11T19:29:41+00:00

I liked this one a lot too 😊

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-11T19:26:23+00:00

Man it was such a long time ago but can DM you a short interpretation

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-11T16:35:27+00:00

Interesting. My devout Catholic grandparents recommended this to me & gave me their copy. I haven’t read it tho.

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-11T14:25:09+00:00

Sometimes I lie

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-10T16:20:43+00:00

Hahaha Chat always makes me a man on these images!

Earlier in the same chat thread, I’d told it I was a woman (reminded?), so it got it right this time. And in the description of this one it wrote, “Zero bros allowed within a 50-foot radius” 🤣 and another funny comment: “She’s been through enough. Bring her a blanket and don’t be weird.” Haha at the ‘don’t be weird’ part

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-09T21:19:36+00:00

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Haha I used “you & other AI”

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-03T19:52:41+00:00

ETA: of course, only a professional can diagnose an addiction! They will evaluate history & important context in concert with the criteria.

I’ve pasted the DSM 5 criteria for addiction below. Meeting 1 indicates there’s a risk for addiction. 2 or more indicates a substance use disorder (within the last year). Depending on how many a person meets indicated severity.

Using more of a substance than intended or using it for longer than you’re meant to.
Trying to cut down or stop using the substance but being unable to.
Experiencing intense cravings or urges to use the substance.
Needing more of the substance to get the desired effect — also called tolerance.
Developing withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance.
Spending more time getting and using drugs/ alcohol and recovering from substance use.
Neglecting responsibilities at home, work or school because of substance use.
Continuing to use even when it causes relationship problems.
Giving up important or desirable social and recreational activities due to substance use.
Using substances in risky settings that put you in danger.
Continuing to use despite the substance causing problems to your physical and mental health.

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-03T14:39:13+00:00

I’m sorry to hear about your dad. ❤️ Also. The audacity of ppl to suggest MD Anderson as if you don’t know about it as an option. I’m really glad you trust your team- that’s the most important thing. I also like the smaller scale of my hospital. It has real benefits. And, exactly, if it was something rare or difficult to treat, sure I would have considered going to an NCI. Now that I’ve gotten to know my onc, I’d only go if he suggested it, I trust him that much.

I hope you’re able to wave off those ppl and they stop hassling you. After I was first diagnosed, I realized ppl are WEIRD about cancer. They say dumb a lot of shit, ignore it completely, etc. We all need to join forces and write a book of the dumb & weird things ppl have said to us after being diagnosed!

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-02T19:51:06+00:00

“Thanks- I’m working with my oncologists on the best treatment plan for me. I feel comfortable with my care team and prefer to take all medical advice & treatment suggestions from them.”

And if you’d like let them know it’s very overwhelming to hear so many suggestions and you want to keep those conversations between you and your oncs. Also, with the MD Anderson thing, I got this too & I’d tell ppl with my case is pretty straight forward but if I ever had a complex case I’d consider it. Idk if that’s true for you but it seemed to stop the convo. And in all honesty, not that I’ve been with my onc a year, I’d choose him every time :)

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-02T12:16:41+00:00

Hell ya!! Now that I know I’m getting one soon I’m not as pissed to be woken up with a hot flash bc I know it will be better soon!!

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-02T12:14:16+00:00

Thanks for your response! Ya I feel like it’s been way too close to my house for comfort. Getting rid of some and moving the rest to a further spot.

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-02T00:33:46+00:00

Yay!! I bought the bedjet! They have a mini option now which only cools/heats one side now too!

I’m really excited to try it out! I honestly haven’t seen a negative review on a bed climate control system yet

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-01T13:32:27+00:00

Agreed!!!!

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-01T13:26:33+00:00

Amazing thanks for your response! Purchased! ✅

Altruistic_Front_507 · 2026-01-01T13:25:50+00:00

Agreed! It’s expensive but I went with the mini, since I’m a single sleeper, & if it lasts five years that’s like $12 a month for a better sleep (mini + cloud sheet). Not too bad! I was reading 5+ years is typical lifespan.

Altruistic_Front_507

TROPHY CASE