arimidex-side effects
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I am supposed to start taking Arimidex, but am very concerned about the side effects - especially join pain. I am 47 also. Just curious about your activity since last June and if the side effects eventually subsided.
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Well, I have just passed my 18 month checkup and all still looks good. I took Arimidex for six months and have now been off almost eight months. I couldn't deal with the side effects to prevent something that might not happen, and might still happen if I took it.
My approach was "as little treatment as possible". I also took no radiation and no chemo. I had a lumpectomy with no nodes removed, including sentinal. I take vitamin C, E and 1200 or more of D, and a 325 Aspirin (always with food) daily. I figure if it's going to come back, it will sooner rather than later and I can change my approach then if I want. In the meantime, I'll give my body a chance to deal with this naturally. I feel well.
I stress that this was the right decision for me but it may not be for someone else. After eight months without the pill I would say I am pretty much free of the side effects. I have a bit more joint pain, a bit less hair on my head than I had a year and a half ago but nothing that I could not say for sure would not have happened anyway - who knows.
If I were to give advice, I'd say that before you start any medication, make a written record of how you feel now, then keep a daily log of any symptoms or lack thereof - "I feel fine today" is ok. Then, if you do experience symptoms you can have a better idea whether they are related to the medication or not. If you stop for a while and the symptoms go away then come back when you resume the medication, you've got pretty good proof to present to your doc.
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I just found this site...I have been on the Arimidex for 2 1/2 months now...after completing lumpectomy Nov. 2010, chemo 4 months, radiation 4 weeks through May 2011, and waited amonth to start the Arimidex. I am experiencing many of the side effects all of you have posted, but not weight gain, maybe I am lucky as I am active and I eat healthy. I am replying to this post since I am also a PE fitness teacher too! And lately, I also feel 90 yrs old! I have always told my Kinder's that I am 99 years old for fun...now I feel it! I work with K-5, so I am on the floor, doing a lot of demonstrating, doing the warm-ups etc with them...and I am having achey hands and feet now, fatigue, and it is so hard to get up off the floor many times a day! I am sooo discouraged. This is not quality of life to me! In my free time I mountain bike, hike, kayak, I am active and still want to be! After just reading all the effects that have been posted here, I think I am not willing to have such a reduced quality of life..and take the risk of cancer coming back? In my mind it isnt coming back, but then again, I cant believe I was even diagnosed in the first place! I have had an incredibly healthy life for my entire adult life. My friend went off after 2 months, that was 7 years ago, and no recurrnace. It's a hard call..
PS how do yo add the diagnosis as many have at the bottom?
I was (WAS!) diagnosed age 51, Her2+, stage 2, grade 3 cells, 2 cm tumor, lumpectomy, lymph node-
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I added my diagnosis to the "avatar" section, see if it works...
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When I found the side effects of arimidex intolerable, after twelve months, I went on tamoxifen.
It has been quite a bit more manageable, less expensive and offers very nearly as good a statistical result. In fact, there are some new studies that support splitting your five years between the two drugs.0 -
Yep, hard call.
I don't know too much about the HER2 treatment but I presume you did the Herceptin - it's supposed to be pretty effective. I have a friend who did the Herceptin and she seems to be doing ok (about the same place I am I think (18 months) - I'll have to check). She does not have the ER+.
Talk to your doc and maybe give the Tamoxifen a try as pj suggested.
Good luck and take care
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I am 56 and either in menopause or ending it (I have ovaries but no uterus). Would why I need to take an estrogen blocker when my body is producing very little estrogen anyway? My oncologist is annoyed with me because I won't take any of these drugs and because, until my onco-type DX test comes in, I am also refusing chemo.
I had one stinking positive node so now I'm supposed to go through all the side effects of hormonal treatment PLUS chemo?? That's why I opted for a DMX instead of lumpectomy - to avoid all this other stuff.
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i have just started arimidex because tamoxifen was giving me severe leg cramps day in and day out my aunt told me to drink 1 cream soda a day so i tried it and it actually worked try it for cramps hopefully it will work for you
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Chil, even though your ovaries aren't making estrogen your adrenal glands and fat cells still produce it so you need to
either inhibiit the aromatose or use something like tamoxifen to plug up the estrogen receptors...
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But I wouldn't do anything Chil until the ONCO DX scores come back..
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Chil,
First it is your right to decide what treatment you want. Your oncologist should not be "annoyed" with you - his/her job is to inform, advise, and provide service (appropriate testing, surgery, medication, whatever). Do you have any choice in docs - perhaps you need a second opinion?
Yes, your ovaries may not produce too much estrogen but adrenal glands will continue to produce smaller amounts. But, remember we evolved with this backup system for a reason. Estrogen has many roles besides that involved with cancer. We have a lot of side effects when we virtually eliminate estrogen because of these other roles. Estrogen is not the enemy - cancer is. (This reflects my understanding and belief; I have no special expertise in this regard.)
That said, many women manage quite well on Arimidex and/or Tamoxifen. I didn't, but that's me. Give it a try for a couple of months and see how you do. You can quit Arimidex any time you like and I assume the same is true for Tamoxifen - no taper off required.
Make a written record of how you feel - note sleep pattern, any aches and pains, eyes, respiration, mood - any issue you currently have, and then log any changes when you start taking the med. Decide if you can live with the problems and take it one month at a time.
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hello,ladies!.I take Arimedex 2y.have pain in my neck,dr.say-osteoporosis,Prescribed me"Pomegranate,but st aped,I have side effect.Today Dr. prescribed me Taramadol for pain,but I afraid to take Somebody know something about this medicine?Best wishes for all ladies!0
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Hi there hopeinfitcher,
I plugged "Taramadol" into Google and it converted it to "Tramadol" - this is probably what you mean, no?
I've no experience with it. A vet gave me some for my dog with backpain but his back issue seemed to go away without it - never gave him any.
I'd discuss this with your doc and/or pharmacist. It's probably very effective but I'm not sure about the side effects and after issues.
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Thank you GAnee. I red about this medicine,but I want to hear from somebody who take this medicine and how they feel.It s reason,why I confuse about,that this pills prescribe for animals.
thank you again and all best you.,your dog okay?I love animals,but I don't have
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Hope,
I wouldn't be too concerned that the med is used for animals. Much of the testing is done on animals and they suffer and give their lives for it. Should they not benefit from the results if they can? My dog and my mother were both on Prednizone at the same time. When my mother passed away, the dog finished her left over prescription (vet ok'd it, same dosage). Tramadol, as far as I know is just a pain reliever. I would be a bit leery of the side effects to long term use which is why I suggested you talk to your doc and/or phamacist.
I wondered (after my earlier post) if your pain is osteoporosis would you not benefit more from some of the meds that are supposed to help the condition. Perhaps you are getting something but didn't mention it. Perhaps it's osteoarthritis - what I have. Arimidex aggravates arthritis (apparently estrogen has a role in maintaining healthy joints too) as well as osteoporosis.
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Hi, I've been following this thread knowing I'd be taking this drug soon...but just got a call that I am about to start.
I was given a choice about chemo or no due to Stage 1 and oncotype score 13. I chose to just do radiation. I arranged to have the RO office call me for appointment. But MO called back and said that it may take me a long time to get started on rads so she wants to start Arimidex right away.
Did anyone here take Arimidex while doing rads?
I have to say, I am not looking forward to any of the next steps...tomorrow is six weeks since lumpectomy and I have been feeling great. But it is time for a reality check. I surely do not want the BC to make an encore presentation.
Hope everyone here is doing well.
Joan8110 -
I haven't read through all the posts here yet, but wanted to say Hi and I've joined your club. I was originally on Tamoxifen, but the back pain (we're hoping is a side effect) became so intense my oncologst switched me to Arimidex. It's only been two days, so we'll see how it goes!
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Hope,
I was prescribed Tramadol after my leg surgery for pain because I couldn't take muscle relaxers or opiates (the opiates give me migraines). The nurse didn't want me to suffer since the Tylenol wasn't enough.0 -
Hi, I have taken about 11 days of Arimidex with no problems so far. ( A few aches the first few days, but probably not the drug).
Question -- I have severe allergies right now and am wondering if anyone has taken steroidal drugs while on Arimidex. Am going to call onco after I see an allergist. Am trying to clear up the allergies before I start rads so I can deal with lying down or still if necessary. Not easy when breathing is an issue....0 -
Almost 2 month out of surgery and I developed a painful underarm (again) that goes into the back. I am not sure if it is the nerves from SNB or if it is the start of side effects from the drug. Time will tell....
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Hi Joan,
I read your posts but hoped someone would reply who actually had experience simililar to you. I didn't do rads nor chemo and only 6 months of Arimidex. I'm still just on vitamins and Aspirin and still doing ok as far as I know (next checkup mid November so we'll see).
As far as drug interactions, you'll have to ask your pharmacist and/or doctor. I wouldn't want to comment. I don't have allergies and quit Arimidex largely because of respiratory issues.
As for the underarm pain - it's only two months, so very likely from the surgery and it too will pass. I just had the lumpectomy (no nodes touched) and I know I had periodic pain in the area of the surgery, sort of a pinching pain. It would last a few minutes then go away. I think it's just the healing. Someone's been messing about in there and upset the nerves. I did have some occasional shoulder pain across the back while on Arimidex in the first couple of months but it was more like a pulled muscle deal and not a permanent condition.
How's the alergies? Hang in there, girl!
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Hi all I've just joined this site. Had a lumpectomy chemo and radiation, also 2recently positive lymphnodes. I finished rad in july was feeling better and better; about 2 months now been on arimidex, hip,leg joint pain and feet numb but painful, hands also falling asleep! Tomorrow appt with dr. Was going to ask to switch to tamoxifin as I heeard it less side effects. Will let u know if these side effects disappear. Im 49in yrs old 3rd stage breast.
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Hi Joan,
I was wondering what you meant by "a long time to get started on rads." is the delay due to a healing issue?
From my reading there is an ideal "window of opportunity" for radiation to be given post lumpectomy. Of course there are reasons it can't start when one would wish, such as, poor healing or chemotherapy being given post surgery, or a post op infection.
It's just that I would hope your delay is not due to some scheduling issue or clerical problem. My doctor suggested radiation should begin approximately 6 to 8 weeks post lumpectomy.
Good luck with rads and arimidex.0 -
pj123, You hit it, unfortunately - it is a combination of my dragging out my decision to do chemo or not; then having to wait 3 weeks for a rads appointment. No healing problems. I hope I don't miss the optimal treatment time. Am so not ready to worry about changes that rads can do...
I am not having much joint pain with Arimidex.
GAnne49 - You describe my current discomfort exactly - it feels like a pulled muscle across my back just beyond my underarm on surgery side. It's getting better. I do not seem to have any disruptive side effects. I am tired a lot, but I am doing a lot. I cannot sleep well unless I take a sleeping pill, but then I drag the next day. I'll figure it out....
Thanks for responding.
I hope your recoveries are going well.Joan
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Am about a month on Arimidex and the SEs are bearable, but seem so random. General aches in legs (few days, gone) then back muscle left side (gone),; noticeable pain all over after cleaning house; then painful thumb joints in both hands (yesterday) and had some zaps in random places. Reddish to dark coloring around my eyes. Is any of this the AI? I'm not an aches or pain person ever. Why is it so random and intermittent?
I am a very active 62, working full time; but I feel like I am aging a year each day. Not a word or call back from my onco since she had her NP call me and prescribe for me - is this the norm?
Would like to hear...
Joan0 -
Yep, I think "roving" pain is fairly typical. I had thumb issues which actually made driving uncomfortable - didn't know where to put my thumbs. I think the pain is random and intermittent because it is actually basically arthritic - the estrogen helps keep the joints healthy. Arthritic pain comes and goes, waxes and wanes.
I'm not sure about the discolouration around your eyes - I'd have it checked. Is there any pain, discomfort, dryness? There is some issue with eyelids and Arimidex which leads to infection. I'm not sure of the details, but I'd have it looked at. I did have dry eye issues that I tend to associate with the pill.
My OncDoc sees me every 3 months now but he asked me back after 1 month on the pill, then 2 months the next time, and every 3 since then even though I've been off the stuff about 10 months now. Next visit in a couple of weeks, 21 months since diagnosis.
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Thanks, GAnne,
I had to drive 2 + hours today alone; and I could not find any position where my thumbs/hands didn't hurt. You are right; it did feel like arthritis somewhat.
The discoloration looks like dark circles. Lids are OK.Thanks for the information.
Joan0 -
I had to take steroids for my allergies The aches and pains are gone.
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Any Arimidex sisters still around?
When I went off steroids about 2 weeks ago, the aches and pains came right back. I have joint pain in my thumbs, shoulder, and sometimes back pain.
In my thumb joints, there are two places where there are new bumps forming. I showed the R.O. but I guess she doesn't deal with that.
Has anyone had joint swelling or growths or bumps? One is kind of sharply pointed. UGH!
Very tired now, doing rads with Arimidex.
Hope someone's still around!0 -
Hi Joan811,
Yep, still here! I'm not sure I still count as a "sister" cause I chucked the stuff almost a year ago now after 6 months - just passed my 21 month checkup and still feelin' fine except for those ol'arthritic pains.
I have swollen finger joints (probably knee,hip, etc too but can't really see or feel them (lol). They come and go with the pain generally. I'm certainly not a doctor so don't go by my "diagnosis" but the bumps on the joints are probably arthritis. Whether they will go away when you quite the Arimidex I don't know. Doctors will probably not agree with me, but I think this stuff does permanent damage to the joints by accelerating arthritis. I'm definitely worse off than I was when I started. My hands have "recovered" to a large degree but the fingers still click. Thumbs are now pretty good. Neck and lower back, not so much.
Best wishes to you as you go through treatment.
Take care.0
