Disappointing set back in In the Kingdom of Suzu

Things were going so well, sigh.........

Two weeks ago I started taking anastrozole for my breast cancer. It lists mild side effects, mainly hot flashes, joint pain, night sweats, etc. and of course some women do not experience any at all. I went on some sites and a lot of the women who did have side effects also had had chemo and/or radiation. Some did have severe side effects with their hands swelling but the side effects seemed to go away once they stopped taking the drug. Exercise, eating healthy were all recommended. I was so hopeful I would not experience anything and determined to be really diligent with taking my supplements, drinking water, etc., especially since I do have pain at times in my hands.

Well, Thursday, my right knee started hurting really bad, Friday was not any better, in fact I could barely walk. Motrin/Advil did nothing. I did some research and one of the side effects is it could cause bone pain, especially if you have osteoarthritis, which I do have and for which I have been treating.

I called the answering service for the oncologist this a.m. for advice as the women who had the severe side effects for night sweats or hot flashes were then prescribed a medication to help with that. I was told to stop taking it and then call on Monday.

Needless to say, I am really bummed about this and am hoping we can adjust things. I go back to work in two weeks and was so hoping to get a lot done in these last two weeks. As it stood (or did not stand–ha ha) if this knee pain keeps up, I would not have been able to go to work.

Sigh, things were going so well.....