@A MyBCTeam Member and @A MyBCTeam Member - did your oncologists order ECGs for you? Because of all the meds and possible side effects, from chemo to estrogen blockers, I had to get ECGs before and after chemo and will have to have another one at the 1 year mark from starting estrogen blocker. You oncologists should also be suggesting alternative estrogen blockers if the one you are on is not working for you. I just had my 6 mo. post-chemo check-up with my oncologist and we discussed the benefits of estrogen blockers vs. not taking them. Of course, studies show that taking them for 5 years gives a better chance of not having the cancer return and now they are saying that taking them for 10 years gives an even better chance of the cancer not returning.

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A MyBCTea...

A MyBCTea...

Letrozole is the sister drug to anastrozole same side effects. I suffered terribly on anastrozole and refused the Letrozole due to this. Tamoxifen I won't take due to blood clotting I had my veins done and both my father and son had terrible veins and got DVT so that's a risk I won't take. These maintenance drugs have terrible side effects and can cause some major health issues I don't want to live 5 years plus in total misery which I would on those drugs. I'm about to start a drug called Neratinib worst side effect I can see is diarrhoea which they will give me something for that. Check out alternatives not everyone can take what they want to give us so look around ask questions . I feel they prescribe these drugs because that's the done thing but there could be something better out there for you. Good luck warrior

I'm now at 2 full years on letrozole. Begged my Onco to switch, so now I'm on Anasterole (sp?) and have high hopes that it will be a bit easier. Anything will help. I'm now hot all the time and flashing on top even though I've done EVERYTHING I can do/research etc. Summers are now the worst because I can't dissipate the heat fast enough to sleep etc. and have to also take Gabapentin to knock me out for sleep. They do help but of course I'm concerned about that. I went from taking no drugs to three (including low dose Atorvastatin because of family history and the fact that cancer and radiation and these drugs increase cholesterol etc) Sigh.. STILL we are all STILL ALIVE! And now after three years I'm starting to feel like myself again despite all these "annoyances." GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

Anastrozole for 4 months then realized it had lactose filler and am intolerant apparently that was extent of side effects on that one. Switched to Exemestane for last 3 years. Hot flashes, night sweats, joint/muscle pain, dry throat/mouth, fast aging., hair thinning. Joint/muscle pain OK if I do my daily workouts, dryness a problem because I also have Sjogrens Disease, aging wrinkles - let's just admit those masks I still have to wear hide a multitude of them. Hot flashes and night sweats are aggravating. Cannot wait to finish 5 years. My onco sure downplayed side effects of this treatment! Coping meantime. Healing hugs to all ...

Too funny - the "your and you're" is the one that gets to me! My oncologist said that the Anastrozole was the best option for women who are already post- menopausal. I think I had a slight headache the first day I took the pill but nothing since. I do take mine at night, not that it makes any difference.