anastrozole and gastrointestinal side effects

[Laurie252]

I have had IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) for 35 years, but mostly very mild and not very problematic since I was in my 20s.  Now, in the past couple of years, I have g.i. symptoms I hardly ever had before-- heartburn, acid reflux, pain in my small and large intestines, occasional nausea. Diagnostic tests have not revealed a reason for this. But recently I have been wondering--could the g.i. symptoms be a side effect of anastrozole (arimidex)? I have been  taking it for 3 1/2 years, after 1 year on tamoxifen, following lumpectomy, chemo and radiation.
Thanks for any feedback,
Laurie

[Laurie252]

Thank you.  Be well.

[japdip]

Nausea is a known side effect of Arimidex but your other symptoms don't relate as far as I know. The fact that you have these symptoms may not be related to any other factor in your life except an occurence of it's own. WE all develop symptoms as we age that we haven't had previously. The problems you mention could be GERD, or possibly even an allergy to some food or substance contained in some foods. I don't know what testing you have had done to diagnose these symptoms but I suggest that you continue to seek a solution. You should also remember that some persons may experience side effects from medications that aren't usually recognized .... we are each very different and out bodies react in different ways.  Regards ....