Posted on: Oct 22, 2010 08:51 AM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 9
SherryBW wrote:
Hi:
I've been on Arimidex since July and the only side effect I can tell is that I totally cannot fall asleep at night. My Dr. prescribed prescription sleep aids (whch work fine), but I worry about becoming addicted. Anyone else have this problem and how do you handle it?
And, please don't tell me to play quiet music and take warm baths before going to bed!!!
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rreynolds1
Guilford, CT
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 449
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Oct 23, 2010 12:40 PM rreynolds1 wrote:
When do you take it? I would try moving the time of day you take it and see if that helps. I haven't had that problem and take it at night. Some have found they have better results taking it in the morning. We are all different but we all need a good night's sleep.
Roseann
Roseann
Diagnosis: 2/2/2009, ILC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-
TNgolfer
Syracuse, NY
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 252
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Oct 23, 2010 12:47 PM TNgolfer wrote:
Sherry,
OMG....insomnia is the worst. I am having such sleep issues. I have tried blaming everything else, but I believe Arimidex is it. Also having mood issues and depression which I am also convinced has to do with Arimidex. I take my Arimidex in the morning, but lately am becoming non-compliant. I actually am thinking of not taking it for a while and see if there is a difference in the mood and sleep issues. I am not convinced this med does what it is supposed to anyway. Would love to hear from anyone who stopped the Arimidex. I think there is a lot "they" don't no. The statistics on recurrence that they quote are for those that took hormone therapy....I don't think anyone follows those who refused it or quit it.
Diag PILC 11/19/09, 2cm Grade 2, Stage II, SNB, AND, 0/4 nodes, ER+/PR+/Her2-, BilatMX 1/28/10, TE's. Oncotype Dx score 19; no chemo; Arimidex. Exch surgery 5/14/10
Diagnosis: 11/19/2009, ILC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 2, 0/4 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Shrek4
Kuala Lumpur Antarctica
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,805
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Oct 23, 2010 01:01 PM Shrek4 wrote:
I had big issues with insomnia and Arimidex. I found that if I take it right before going to bed, most of the times I can sleep and I don't wake up during the night. I'm planning on getting some melatonin to help when this doesnt' work.
Just out of curiosity, are you taking the brand or the generic? I am taking the generic.
DCIS, LCIS, ILC, IDC. Bilat (left proph) skin-sparing MX with Latissimus Dorsi Flap 500cc mentor silicone implants on 10/21/09, revised on 11/09 for seroma and infection (lost left nipple due to poor med. care). TC x 4, lvl I ALND, no rads
Diagnosis: 11/2/2009, ILC, 4cm, Stage IIb, Grade 2, 1/14 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
TNgolfer
Syracuse, NY
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 252
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Oct 26, 2010 02:57 PM TNgolfer wrote:
Day,
I was taking the brand, but as soon as the generic became available, the pharmacy switched me over to the generic (ins company rules). I didn't notice a difference, and talked to the pharmacist at great length....he said most med's are made out of the country and they still have to abide by FDA rules....he wasn't concerned and told me there would be little if any difference at all.
But still can't get to sleep and if I do, I wake at least 4 times a night. I do take it in the morning (when I take it)....maybe I will try taking it at night.
Thanks
Marianne
Diag PILC 11/19/09, 2cm Grade 2, Stage II, SNB, AND, 0/4 nodes, ER+/PR+/Her2-, BilatMX 1/28/10, TE's. Oncotype Dx score 19; no chemo; Arimidex. Exch surgery 5/14/10
Diagnosis: 11/19/2009, ILC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 2, 0/4 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
deprazy
Smyrna, GA
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12
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Oct 28, 2010 08:33 PM deprazy wrote:
I also started Arimidex in July and am suffering from insomnia! Oncologist gave me an rx for ambien, but am concerned about taking it every night - but on the other hand, if I don't sleep, I can't function! Only other side effects seem to be fatigue (but is that after effects of chemo and radiation or just menopause?) and constipation.....yikes! Does this ever end?????
Diagnosis: 9/25/2009, ILC, 2cm, Stage IIb, Grade 1, 1/13 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
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Jun 16, 2012 12:32 PM GrandmaDee wrote:
OMG, I have been on generic Arimidex since Feb. 2012. No chemo or radiation therapy was needed for my breast cancer. I have been taking the medication in the morning and will definitely try switching to bedtime. Last night, or I should say "morning" I was awake until 4:30 at which time I ate a peanut butter sandwich and the carbs knocked me out. Let's see, I will be depressed, crabby, 400 lbs. but cancer free!!! My sister and I have the same type of cancer, invasive caused by estrogen, and she has been cancer free for 7 years now and did not take this medication. I will choose to keep on taking it because I feel it is important to my future health and will try to resolve this issue of insomnia. Don't much care for the constipation either. I worked in the medical field for 30 years and don't automatically trust doctors or pharmaceutical companies either. Was this stuff made in China perhaps??? God's blessings of good health to all of you.
wallycat
Port Townsend, WA
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,453
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Jun 16, 2012 06:12 PM wallycat wrote:
I always took my arimidex/generic at 8:45; with it, I took 20 mg. of melatonin. By 9:30, 10pm, I was yawning and could not wait to get to bed! Not every day...but most days, the melatonin is a lifesaver. I started taking it with the tamoxifen. After reading all the melatonin studies, I still take it. I will never stop.
Dx 4/07 1 month before turning 50; ILC 1.8cm, ER+/PR+, HER2 neg., Stage 1, Grade 2, 0/5 nodes. Onco score 20, Bilateral Mast., tamoxifen 3-1/2 years, arimidex-completed 4/20/2012
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Jun 20, 2012 08:47 AM knittingmama wrote:
I am on a 1 mo vacation from Arimedex (generic form) for severe SE's. My sleep this week is back to almost normal. I only woke up 1X last night (normally 4X or more) and no sleep aids. I take Melatonin before bedtime.
Faith! Not fear! BRCA-2+, Bi-lateral, no recon.
Dx 11/16/2010, ILC, Stage IIIb, Grade 2, 6/11 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-Surgery 12/07/2010 Mastectomy (Right); Lymph Node Removal: Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection, Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (Right); Prophylactic Mastectomy (Left)Chemotherapy 01/24/2011 Adriamycin, Cytoxan, Taxol, TaxotereRadiation Therapy 07/06/2011 ExternalSurgery 11/04/2011 Prophylactic Ovary Removal (Both)Hormonal Therapy 11/16/2011 TamoxifenHormonal Therapy 04/18/2012 Arimidex
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Jul 18, 2012 06:24 AM 1dancinginthedark wrote:
I have been taking Arimidex for two weeks with sleep aids. I am writing this at 3:23 a.m.. I sleep about one out of 3 to 4 nights because I am completely sleep deprived. Melatonin is better than anti-anxiety drugs?