arimadex

[Shafight]

anyone taking this. I start today. What should I expect

[SeattleMom]

breastcancer.org/treatment/...

[diamags]

I've been on it 9 years. I get hot flashes and ache-y joints. It really hasn't been bad at all.

[Merma]

I have been on it for almost 6 years. I did not feel a lot of change except that my hips hurt a little after walking a long distance. Not sure that due to the meds.

[Nocillo]

I was on it for almost 6 years, along with Faslodex. Fatigue was really the only side effect.

[AuntC]

I've been on it for three years and the only thing I had was the first year was hot flashes. After that I find that I sweat more in the summer. So nothing really that bad for me, I'm 76.

[Tantalon7211]

I’ve been on arimidex for 6 months now and still adjusting to fatigue and joint pain. Important to take b-12 , omega oils, and eat well, it really helps and watch sugar intake.

My fatigue has lessened somewhat and sometimes it can take up to a year to get system used to it

I am also on ibrance .75 mg- 3 weeks on and two weeks off, which can contribute too but my oncologist said fatigue and joint pain is common

[seniorcitizen]

Perhaps nothing! I have been on it for 4 years with very miniimal side effects.

[Gingerann1]

Hi! I was on it for 7 years when I was in remission after my first BC diagnosis (Her2+ & HR+) in 2013 and switched to Ibrance and Faslodex when it reappeared as Metastatic in 2020. I am no longer HER2+ Onc thinks because of the Arimadex and Herceptin infusions I received after surgery, radiation and chemo. The Arimadex was the easiest med I’ve ever been on with not one side affect. I hope it works as well for you!

[TammyCross]

Let's hope it affects you like all those who replied before me! We are not all so lucky. I was on it for 5 years after original bc and had little noticeable side effects. Maybe a little depression. This time around it is difficult. Pain in ligaments and muscles and maybe bones. Pain in groin, shoulder, arm. Quite severe and it limits my mobility. Mostly ibuprophen helps a lot. I take one or two a day. If I take it during the night, it is easy to get out of bed in the morning. Otherwise, it is a bit of a struggle. Moving helps, too.

I have read that joint pain affects most people on anastrozole. There are others on here who have it worse than I do. I am going to try some natural remedies. Maybe acupuncture or pt.

[oilermama]

I have been on it for five years and fatigue and joint pain are the two things I notice the most... And I would like to blame the anastrazole for all of that but I am not sure that aging and weight gain haven't played a part as well.

Best wishes as you start it.

[PJBinMI]

Arimidex is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor and very similar to Letrozole (aka Femara), another non-steroidal AI. It's my impression that oncs tend to favor one or the other of those drugs, which are often first line treatment for those of us with estrogen receptor positive bc. I was on Femara for almost five years, starting when I was diagnosed with bone mets from the beginning. I was 57, menopausal, and had hot flashes several times a day, with my face turning bright red and sweat pouring down from my scalp, and face. It was very obvious and made it hard to think about anything else. My original onc was a wise experienced woman, and she prescribed Effexor XR to reduce the hot flashes, and it worked really well the whole time I was on estrogen controlling meds. I went from those frequent hot flashes to occasional "warm surges," less often than daily and very manageable. I',m a long timer with MBC and have met alot of other women with MBC that's E + and many have done well for years. And sometimes if either Arimidex or Femara create difficult-to-live-wth side effects, switching to the other can be helpful! I hope you will have a long run with Arimidex and that it will get those lousy cancer cells under control!

[LadyKatarina]

I was dx in 2018, E pos oligo, and started on anastrozole. A rheumatologist friend told me that Anastroxle and Letrozole both inflame the synovial membranes and the membrane around tendons in hands, etc. This SE happens in about 50% of those taking the drugs. After 8 months the joint/synovial membrane pain was so bad, located in 8 joints--hand, hips, shoulder, knees, and both trigger thumb and triger findres--I told Oncologist I could not live like that. Was just crying a lot from pain. After an 8 week break I started Fulvestrant--much much better. It did take 6 months and one cortisone knee injectionto get rid of all the joint pain. I am SO ENVIOUS of friends taking anastrozole with no side effects! I have a hard time tolerating any of the drugs--and another med onc said it is genetic. So--keep an eye on your symptoms and report them! You might do just fine! And read up on drugs they suggest! We have to be our own advocates. Best to you!

[TammyCross in reply to LadyKatarina]

Thanks for explaining the pain. I am also seeing a rheumatologist -- really just because he takes an interest in me, not because he is treating me for anything. He suggested cutting frequency of anastrozole, but latest scan indicates that would be a bad idea. I already failed on fulvestrant, no side effects, after 2 years so that is out, and letrozole was worse than anastrozole, so I have to stick with this anastrozole despite pain. Lately it is in my forearm (muscle or ligament?). Hard to explain to people it isn't really the joint. Sorry to hear the pain in your joints lingered so long after you stopped. Yes, those who do not have this side effect are lucky, but you are lucky fulvestrant is good to you!

[Shafight]

thanks to everyone for replying. I feel I know better what I’m getting into