Topic: Arimidex

I've been on the Arimidex for several months now, and the worst things I notice is the horrible hot flashes at night and high blood pressure problems.  The sweats at night are so bad that I'm sleeping with frozen ice packs.  And my blood pressure is way out of control --- never had it before Arimidex.  My oncologist says it's NOT the arimidex, as I think he wants me to stay on it at all costs and try to control the BP with medication.

Anyone else having BP problems since startin Arimidex?

Cora

I have just started on Arimidex - day two - feeling a bit nauseous, however that could also be a side effect on my radiation treatment.  Having a bone scan on Friday - the oncologist wants to have a baseline since a potential side effect is osteoporosis.  Great thread. 

Carol

Hi roxy,

I thought I would offer my experience on Armidex.  I have been on it for 3 years come May. 

I take the Armidex in the morning, tried at night and sleep worse than taking it in the a.m.  It doesnt matter when you take it, just be fairly consistent about the time.  I have been on Zopicolne (Immovane) for three years now or I would not sleep at all.  I believe this drug is only available in Canada.  My hotflashes have been mainly controlled by Effexor (75 mg), have been on that since Aug 08.  Very rarely at night I have really bad night sweats and wake up almost every hour but most nights I wake up a few times due to the occasional warm flash.

My joints and knees use to bother me alot in the first year or 2 but seem to have subsided as I take Glucosmine Chondrotin MSM and it helps with the aches ALOT!  It does take a few months to work though, it is over the counter and not a prescription drug.  People that suffer with arthritis are helped alot by this supplement.

I have actually started training for the 60km Weekend to End Breast Cancer walk in September and power walked 5 km with no issues last night.

I do have to motivate myself especially on the weekends after working all week---seems to zap my energy levels which have yet to return to my pre bc levels.  I feel very tired and need a nap both days or I will fall asleep...I have just accepted it as a part of taking this drug.  I hope one day that I wont need the naps but it is what it is...I am alive and have a drug to hopefully prevent reoccurance.

I never had an nausea on this drug, dont take it with any food.

So far bone loss has been okay.  Last year's showed a decline from previous year but still within normal limits.  I was asked to up my calcium level to 1500 from 1000.  I will find out this year's bone density results on Friday.

I feel for those ladies that have suffered alot more than I have, count myself as being pretty lucky in the s/e department.  Everyone's body reacts so differently to meds.

Michele

I've been on arimidex for about six weeks now and haven't had any major problems, but I  have noticed that I am experiencing neuropathy  in my hands. They feel numb and tingly quite a bit of the time, especially at night when I am lying down unless I have my arms extending downwards (I'm used to sleeping on my side with my "bottom" arm bent at the elbow and the hand resting on my pillow). Do many other people experience this, and does it get bad enough that you have to stop the arimidex or take some other kind of meds to help with the neuropathy (I'm  not keen on either of these options!)?

Hi ladies,

I just put my rx in the mailbox for my arimidex.  I am already feeling a little queasy!   I know attitude is so important and it is what got me through my chemo and rads with doable side effects, but.............................I am really dreading these meds.   I am so afraid of all I have read about side effects.   Some are serious concerns and some are just personal and maybe silly.  I just got back from tennis ( I am only beginning to play regularly again) and I worry that the bone pain (especially feet and wrist) will take this joy away from me for FIVE YEARS!!!  I am almost 64, so I imagine if I have to stop now for five years it may be forever.

I guess I am a little on the pity pot today and needed a good rant.  Thanks for your patience and support.  I know I WILL get through this....................we are all so much stronger than we think.

Have a wonderful day.........................Caren

I'm in my 4th week of Arimidex and so far, so good.  I seem to feel sleepy earlier but not really fatigued.  No joint pain at all.  I refusing to claim side effects so maybe that will take me through a little longer!

Be blessed.

Hey Roxy, I take the little pill every morning right along with my thyroid dose. I work in a school every day and sleep like a babe at night. BUT if I go to sleep too early or I have a particularly weird dream I may wake up early (about once a week).....like 4 a.m. and I try to make myself go back to bed. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't. I take loads of vitamins and don't have aches and pains BUT I have developed buzzing ears! Yuck. I am 62....2 years out and counting all my blessings.

Hi-someone told me to not take it with any other meds. I take it at 5pm every night and that seemed to help with the sleeplessness. Heidi 

kamico3 - it's 6:30 am, I've been awake since 3:30 because my right hand/arm to elbow was so tingly, and even hurt, that i could not sleep. Now that Im upright & (sort of) moving about it's fine. I massaged it for what seemed like hours during the night, was like a sleeping hand/lower arm that just won't wake up. Never had it so strong.

Seeing my dr. this week, glad to see I'm not alone (though wish you didn't have it) so I can tell my dr. this. If she gives me suggestions I'll pass them on....I sailed through surgery, chemo ok, radiation a piece of cake...and now....the irony of it all, this. Guess I'm not the bionic woman after all

Well so far I have not ditched the coffee which I was going to do for a couple of weeks.  Really love my coffee...not so much the warm spells as a result.  Sleeping for me has always been somewhat of an issue, some nights I sleep very well other nights not so much so I don't think I can blame it on the Arimidex. 

While I realize not everyone experiences side affects, however, I would like to ask if those of you who did experience side affects did they display within a month, 2 months, 6 months, etc. from the start of taking Arimidex?

Hi Elisabeth.  Thanks for the info and maybe I am/will be one of the luck ones and have no or very managable side effects.  My fingers are crossed.  Good luck on the Tamoxifen!

Hi all, I just started Arimidex 6 days ago, and was wondering how long it would take to

notice side effects if I was going to have any.  I've noticed people have trouble sleeping, and

since I've never been a good sleeper, and I do take something at night to sleep, it hasn't

been a problem taking it at night.  I also noticed several peoplel mentioned having spasms

or cramping in their feet.  I find that really interesting because I had that for about a year before

I was ever diagnosed with cancer.  It has not happened since I've been on the Arimidex.  So

if anyone could tell me when I might expect to see side effects, I'd be interested in hearing

Thanks, Shelly

Hello Ladies,

I'm one of the "old gals" that mzmiller (Susan) was telling you about! (We love our thread and it is under - Older Women with Breast Cancer.)

Now, about the Arimidex. I see that most of you are fairly new with this drug. I will have been on it 5 years the end of May.

The first se's was the joint and muscle pain - but I have always had that - the Arimidex makes it worse. I also have mild fibromyalgia and Arimidex makes that worse.

If I had to name one se -- it would be the fatigue. That is the worst for me, and I 've had about all of them except hot flashes ---- I have freeze flashes.

I've had the feet cramps, headache, sore throat, tingling arms and fingers, sinus problems, nausea --- but they don't all come at once and they come and go. I was dx with high BP for the first time in my life after two years of Arimidex. My cholesterol is up --- and my eyes and skin are very dry. All these se's are easier to treat than cancer. BP is under control w/ meds, trying to get cholest. down w/ diet.

My dilemma is this...... Can't decide whether to continue longer than the 5 years. Dr. says it is up to me ---- but thinks I should. When I asked about the long term effects of taking it longer he said,"We don't actually know." I told him that I am tired of the se's and he said, "Well, it is keeping you alive!" I guess that's the bottom line!

I will probably stay on it from a year to year basis and grumble the whole time!

I hope I've helped some of you a little bit....

JO

 Gail,

 I found this up to date (March 1st) list of common and possible side effects of Arimidex on the Mayo Clinic site

http://mayoclinic.com/health/drug-informationDR600131/DSECTION=side-effects

I was looking everywhere for some things I am going through and don't know if it is Arimidex or something else..... Just found this yesterday.

I have looked on the Astra Zenica site and they don't have this whole list ----- but then they are the ones that make it. hmmmmmmm!?

I think this is very interesting! Of course we don't want to blame everything on Arimidex --- just in case it is something else -- and should get everything checked out --- but like your case -- the CT was normal ---- so what does that leave? Arimidex.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND LADIES THAT THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE EASIER TREATED THAN CANCER!  IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN -- HANG IN THERE!

JO