The Artist

[The-artist]

I’ve not seen anyone talk about being on the estrogen blocker Anastrozole/Arimidex.

Does anyone take it? I wish there were a list of abbreviations because I’m not understanding most of them. I’m fairly new so I guess I’ll learn.

[Blondslovelife]

I was on it for 8 months with minimal side effects but switched to Letrozole because I have read & others say its side effects are even less. I've been on letrozole for 2 months hot flashes have decreased a lot. Hope this helps.

[Merma]

I take anastrozole and Ibrance. I started with just anastrozole, but I had another recurrence, so my doctor added Ibrance.

[Justme153]

I was on Arimidex for 2 years . Then I decided to have a full hysterectomy as my gynecologist seemed so sure I should. When they sent the items away after the surgery they found a spec of breast cancer in my right ovary. Was sent for pet scan MRI of brain and CT scan of chest abdominal and pelvis. All came back clear. But my oncologist from Pittsburgh and from Dubois thought it best for me to stop Arimidex and take Letrozole instead been on that since January.

[Bishtown in reply to Justme153]

I see you have doctors on Pittsburgh and Dubois. Mine are in Pittsburgh and Butler. I am in New Bethlehem...you must be somewhere in my neck of the woods. Hello neighbor! 😊

[Rhwright12 in reply to Bishtown]

I work at the New Castle elementary as a behavior specialist.

[Justme153 in reply to Bishtown]

Hello I'm in Saint Mary's I actually saw doctors from the Hillman cancer center but I can't go to them anymore because I have highmark insurance and they don't except it anymore. I really wish highmark and upmc could settle things so people could go to who they trust.

[Bishtown in reply to Justme153]

I initially contacted a doctor at Magee (husband insisted). He had a consultation office in Butler, and when he realized my cancer had already metasticised, and I could get to Butler easier, he set me up with my oncologist at the Butler Health System on route 422. They are UPMC too, but I have United Health Care, so am Ok so far, until UPMC gets pickier about what insurance they take. I look for them to keep eliminating all other insurances, and try to get everyone to switch to them...frustrating! My husband has several health issues and deals with Allegheny General. They are building a new, huge cancer center on the front of their hospital. Might be an option for you sometime. Until then, Dubois is supposed to be pretty good on cancer. Prayers for you for healing and wisdom as to what to do!

[Justme153 in reply to Bishtown]

My husband also had some health issues he had surgery at Allegheny General last February. Everything turned out great for him! I hope your husband receives great care there and will be well soon!! Prayers for you both and good times ahead!!

[The-artist in reply to Justme153]

Why did he want you off Arimidex?

[Justme153 in reply to The-artist]

They said letrozole is more targeted to the estrogens produced by the adrenal glands arimadex is more for those from ovaries so since I no longer have those he switched me. I think it also is because the normal course of action in this area seems to be ibrance and letrozole so if I get a recurrence ill be right in line for the next step. This part is just my conclusion not anything the doctors actually said.

[Rhwright12]

🙋‍♀️ I take it! Been on it for about a year now. Was on tamoxifen before that but had a local reoccurrence that was PR-and Tamixifen doesn’t work with PR- hence the reoccurrence...😂...Not having any problems with it...So I hope your experience is the same...Good luck! 😀

[Gwennie123]

Arimidex almost crippled me.

I Couldn’t even cut my food. Some people seem to tolerate it. Good luck

[Misshelley]

Been on Anastrozole for over a year with no problems and I go for Herceptin infusion every three weeks. I'm one of the lucky ones so far with only fatigue to complain about.

[diamags]

I've been on Arimidex, Faslodex and Xgeva for 5 years now. I have achy joints which become un-achy when I walk regularly! Other than that, the side effects are extremely tolerable for me.

[BakeryBetty]

Arimidex was actually tolerable for me. So of course it didn't work.