For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
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I went off my Femara. Off a week now and it takes 3 to clear out. My onc wants me to go on Aromisin but I read the changes it makes are permanant and that isn't happening. So there is going back to Tamox, which was fine. But my brother just had a blood clot/heart attack and died. That makes 2 of my immediate family from vascular isues (mom-anyeursm). So the thought of the risks of clots and stroke scare me now on Tamox. I'm thinking about just stopping and living without side effects of all this.
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Have gone off this for several day as a test, closer to a week. I've not had a headache for a few days now and only once a hint at an earache. Oh WOW!
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Galsal I noticed you mentioned an earache as a SE! I have also been experincing pain in my ear on and off, something I never had before but I never connected to the Arimidex. I get up every morning with an headache, but the thing that bothers me the most, is the fact that my appetite has increased and my memory has decreased! LOL
Mena
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Ruthbru, I didn't see your answer right away. It never showed up by me even though this forum is one of my favorite subjects. I am very intrigued by your idea. I didn't know endocrinologists deal with osteoporosis. I always thought it was part of orthopedics. I am going to look into this and see what happens. For me to get an appointment with an endocr., I have to go through my regular MD. Fortunately she is not only a great doctor but also a very nice person, so I am going to make an appointment with her and discuss this issue. In any case, I appreciate your input.
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The changes Aromasin makes are permanent? I hadn't heard that. I've been on it for 4 days and so far I think it MAY be better than the others. Hard to know for sure. What changes are permanent?
I thought there must be a reason they all give Arrimidex first.
Strokes run in my family too and I'm afraid of Tamoxifin for that reason. And i still have my uterus.
What choices we have to make!!!
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Timbuktu:
I had my uterus for 4 years of Tamox and developed polyps, then on my ovaries, so finally a hysterectomy. it wasn't util then I found out it was cumulative, and can cause uterine cancer! My doctor is awesome, but he doesn't tell me side effects! I have to research them for the most part. That's how I found out about Aromisin. It binds permanantly to aromatase to make it not work to turn adrogen into estrogen, where the others bind temporairily. That is why any effects you have on the others is reversible...meaning joint pain etc...So my thought is if Aromisin makes those changes permanantly, the reversal wouldn't be the same. Would that mean bone loss would be permanant? I'm not sure I'm willing to gamble with that. I have the script still. I'm praying and thinking hard on what to do. But I just think I may be done.
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No, the changes aren't permanent. My doctor expects my bone density will go up (it was still in the normal range but dropping by the time I was done). My cholestroel had already dropped about 20 points after being off it two months. My thought that any change that is permanent, is a change that would have happened anyway, due to the fact that you have had the opportunity to be 5 years older.
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Good point ruthbru!
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Have those too, Mena.
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snapple7 - Did your brother just pass away recently? I'm so sorry...my condolences....
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It is an opiod-like medication. A false sense of well-being is a side effect, albeit rare. I'll take rare (as I must be one of the rare ones) over taking an anti-depressent if I can. And I can. It helps with the every day pain (I take a 1/2 in the morning, the other 1/2 at noon (50 mg.) for months. I cope, and I do so very well. Many people have told me it's addictive, well so are anti-depressents. Many people have told me you'll just need to take more and more to get the same result...I haven't, and I have been taking the same 1/2 and 1/2 dose since July. As I can't take most medications (for high cholesterol...any of them) or tamoxifen (because I became the b* from hel* in less then two weeks)...I take Arimidex (1 months so far and good so far)...I can only thank God I can take tramadol and reap a benefit that many cannot. Type it in google and you'll read more about it. Tramadol and false sense of well being.
NRP
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I too have had what I think is a loss of hearing on Arimidex. I'm 53. Haven't had a problem before. I also am forgetting things I should know. (I'm a teacher) I find I stop to think about what I was going to do next, or how to perform a certain action in a spreadsheet and my brain stops. I've been doing this for 16 years...my brain shouldn't be blank.
Scary.
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nrp - short-term memory loss was one the most dramatic symptoms I had with peri-menopause 14 years ago. I couldn't even finish a sentence because I'd forget what I wanted to say.
That, coupled with constant hot flashes and night sweats, caused me to go on hormone replacement therapy (HRT). I knew it wasn't healthy, but it got me over the worst of the symptoms.
How long have you been menopausal? (Or are you still premenopausal and taking Arimidex because of issues with Tamoxifen?)
Sometimes I think that some of the SEs of Arimidex/Anastrozole (with the exception of severe joint pain, and other things like hearing loss) are natural symptoms of menopause and would have occurred anyway just from lack of estrogen....
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I kind of like the idea of the change being permanent. I think... Estrogen is out to kill me.
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Skittle: I go to my B/S next month. I will see what she says about the duration.
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Yes, my brother died recently of a heart attack. Alone...very sad. But I am on AI because I had a hysterectomy, probably from Tamox for 4 years causing growths! Thanks for your condolences, Blessings2011!
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Blessings you can't be on an AI if you haven't gone through menopause… it won't work but if you have gone through menopause you can take AI or Tamoxifen.
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I have been on Tramodol for two years. What can I say, it works. I gave bone on bone knee joints, both. They hurt, Tramodol helps, with less problems than oxyhydro or oxycodone. I don't.like taking a pill all rhe time, but I like pain less. And, its all worse since BC.
Also, Heineman had the BEST baked oatmeal. I actually loved eating there and miss the food. It was a great place.
Snapple, my sympathy on the loss of your brother. Much love to all.0 -
lago - that's what I thought, but I didn't want to jump to conclusions when I was answering nrp!
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Graknellie, I was fine on Arimedex for 8 weeks, feeling pretty chipper. The over a month got so I couldn't bend dian to pick up newspaper. Now on Aromasin for I month jury is is still out.
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NRP--I really hope your hearing loss is not from the AI. I did a lot of research on this and you have between a 5-6% chance of hearing loss on Tamox. The hearing issue was not at a significant number for Arimidex. My big concern was the fact that I wear hearing aids (got them a few years ago at 56). My loss is nerve related and hereditary. Most of my family got their aids in their late twenties and early thirties. If this drug was going to make this worse, I would seriously consider not taking it.
I went to my PCP today to get some blood tests to use as a baseline for taking Arimidex, since my MO doesn't seem to think finding out my D levels, etc. is important. This guy says to me "So how did that little breast thing go this summer?" I kid you not that was his direct quote!!!
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Junif, do you have a choice of docs? Cause "that little breast thing" is so not! My five have been amazing thru this whole thing, you DESERVE so much more!
Prayers for CT today. So sad.0 -
Moonflower--this guy is a work of art! I decided to keep him for right now because I wanted the blood tests done and then I need script refills at the end of the winter. By the end of spring we are permanently relocating to our place in Florida and I'll get a new doctor. I actually almost laughed it was such a surreal moment. I'm just using him at this point. I shouldn't have to use him again. The only Dr. that I have that I trust is my surgeon. I would be changing my MO but it's not worth the time up here in Michigan--I'm lining up my Drs. for Florida...
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Just want to let everyone know that there is hope after arrimidex. I was in such agony. Now I'm on aromisin and at least so far, no pain! I should have switched sooner!
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Oh, Timbuktu--
I'm so glad you have found relief!
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thanks virgin!
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I was in Arimedex 3 mis, sore and achey. Now one month on Aromasin. Sore and achey, including waking me up at night. My inc suggested staying on 6 more weeks and checking in. I was fine for 6 weeks on Arimedex and the problems began. I almost wonder if Arimedex had fewer SEs. Anyone ever switch back to one? Ah, I'm annoyed. New non binding socks, delicate stomach, arms and legs and feet and more tingling. Grrr.aching. However working full time and enjoying it. It's therapeutic though demanding,10-11 hours days, being a principal one is bombarded with many crises. Still better than being in chemo by a long shot..
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Hi Lisa,
I was on Arimidex for a year and a half with all kinds of aches and pains; then I switched to Aromasin too and I have been much better! Hope everyone is having a good day. Happy holidays!! Beau
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After two months of recovering from side effect from Anastrozole, the doctors have finally changed me to Aromasin. Day 5 here. So far all is good!
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After two months of recovering from side effect from Anastrozole, the doctors have finally changed me to Aromasin. Day 5 here. So far all is good!
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