Anastrozole

[Suite1000]

I have now been on anastrozole about 20 months and stable. Had blood work this week.

Glucose going up, kidney function going down. Oncology doesn't seem concerned, but I am.

I know that these are side effects of anastrozole. Any one reduce dosage or other options?

I don't want to be on another drug. I'm already fasting, eating healthy etc. Grateful to be stable

but I am growing tired of all of this. The dry itchy skin has subsided but still also dealing with the

hair issues.

[nonna70]

I have been on Letrozole for a year; previously on Anastrozole with first breast cancer. I have both kidney disease and T2D. Other doctors are watching and are not particularly concerned, either. Since my A1C was 6.6 down from the summer, I decided not to worry, either.

[Kerryd22]

I’m on Exemestane and I have hair issues too. I know plenty of others who have hair loss on different drugs so I just try and live with it. It’s distressing when I comb my hair but I try to do that as little as possible. I’m shedding more hair than my two cats and dog all put together. 😳 I have a wig on standby but most people don’t lose enough hair to need a wig unless they’re on IV chemotherapy.

My kidney function isn’t as good as it could be but it did improve after I made an effort to drink more water and to lower my cholesterol. I should lose a couple of kilos (maybe an understatement) too and I am trying.

Sometimes it feels like we’re being assaulted with various medical issues but mostly they’re manageable I’ve been on Exemestane for 9 years + but I know of women who’ve been on Letrazole for over ten years and even 16 years. The AI are much less aggressive than some treatments and I hope to stay the course for a few more years

All the best

Kerry

[JEE123 in reply to Kerryd22]

it's encouraging that you have done so well.

[Nocillo]

I was on Anastrozole for 6 years, along with Faslodex. I found them to be the best combination I’ve had so far with less side effects and irritation than any treatment after them.

[Pachira]

I was in Anastrazole and Xgeva for 6 years. When I finally had progression, I had a second opinion as to my next treatment. The doctor told me “it won’t be so easy going forward”. She was right! I’m coping with Verzenio and Faslodex but I miss my Arimidex days. Do you eat breakfast before your blood work, I’ve noticed it affects my glucose. My oncologist doesn’t get too concerned if my blood work is a bit off, I think they watch more for trends. I agree with nonna and I try not to worry.

[Nocillo in reply to Pachira]

I didn't like Verzenio too much either!

[MettavivorDS]

If you are open to taking vitamins/minerals, Benfotiamine helps with glucose regulation. It’s a more bioavailable form of vitamin B1 (thiamine). I’m taking a different drug that can cause high glucose and have been taking benfotiamine daily. My blood test results show my glucose levels in the normal range.

[ba5083]

IMO it is always a good thing to monitor you glucose and fasting glucose levels particularly when fighting cancer. I would encourage more water intake, exercising within 30 minutes after eating for at least 20 minutes (it coulld be walking, gardening, doing laundry etc just move consistently for 20 minutes). If looking for supplements - I take milk thistle for liver health also consider taking berberine to help with blood sugar spikes. Course talk to your Oncologist. My integrative Onc prescribed metformin for me although I am not diabetic and my traditional Onc is good with many supplements.

[awesome4ever]

Looking at your profile you are also taking Ibrance which can certainly affect kidney function and probably way more than the AI you are taking. However Ibrance does not cause hyperglycemia so that quite likely is from the Anastrozole. You mentioned eating healthy etc but often when we have this disease we don't feel like or are unable to do the same level of fitness we did pre-MBC. Take care.