For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing

Linda, I had done Fosamax many moons ago for some osteopenia, it did improve my bone density and when I began my AL, all was good.  I had ended the Fosamax after a good 5 years so did not consider it an option to go back on it and my MO did not suggest.  At the end of my 5 years, I did a DEXA and all was fine.  I was religious with Vit D, calcium and changed up my workouts to have more weight bearing stuff so guess it worked out fine. 

I would agree with the doc that says to hold off on the extra pill

Mena, that's awful! I can't believe you've got such terrible SEs after only a week. Is it possible they'll go away? HUGS!!!!!

Mena, Well, that's one of looking at things! Fingers, toes and eyes crossed that your SEs disappear FAST!!!

Hearing that Mena lost 2 lbs, I grabbed a handful of peanuts that fell out of the sky. I don't usually snack in the afternoon or evening but what was I supposed to do? Let the dog eat them?

iris, sometimes you just have to answer that call. I believe that when you really crave something that normally you can take or leave, your body may be telling you it needs whatever it is. Indulge once in awhile. Enjoy!!!

Mena, are you sure your symptoms are side effects? Many years ago I had very similar symptoms in my wrist that were caused by a pinched nerve. I'm currently going through something similar again only in my foot. This time it was caused by nerve damage from the compression boot used during my recent 13 hour mx and diep recon surgery. The burning and itching you describe sound alot like how damaged nerves react.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Iris,, GOOD! Be sure to top that off with a nice glass of wine and you're set for the evening I'm having some frozen teriyaki chicken, garlic bread and wine. This is a new brand of teriyaki chicken. Hope it's good!

Iris, that I actually don't get. I'm not really into food. Once in awhile I crave popcorn or chocolate. Definitely not a foodie. it must be challenging! Good luck. Just eat away and be good tomorrow

Question...no side effects for two years and now the joint pains in hands and hips have started. Has anyone else experienced this?

Listening to the ladies here, I asked for and received the anastrozole made by Teva. The comments indicated fewer problems with fillers from this manufacturer. So far so good!

GG27 Same brand as far as I know unless the pharmacy switched. Pain isn't bad, just noticeable, whereas before there was nothing. My ONC recommended fish oil.

Rosanna, I get palpitations when I'm stressed or have too much caffeine in my system.  If you're feeling anxious, perhaps that could be what's causing the flutters.   They're not listed as a side effect of arimidex, but anxiety certainly is.  Of course, any of us changing meds (or simply having had bc) are fully entitled to be anxious, drug or no drug.  Once you've gotten the anxiety under control, chances are the flutters will stop.  I've had a Holter monitor (24 hour heart monitor) a time or two, always found my palpitations were totally harmless.  Nice to know, of course, but didn't do a durned thing to stop them!  Reducing caffeine and stress management did.

I was diagnosed 21/2 yrs ago with stage one BC, had a lumpectomy and radiation, and have been on anastrozole for about 2 years. At first, it didn't seem to bad but it seems the SE are cumulative. I've had the typical joint pain, arthritis in my right knee has gotten a lot worse, some insomnia, etc but I was managing. Then in the second year I had severe tendonitus in my wrist that came out of nowhere. Four months of splinting and OT treatment took care of it before trigger thumb started. Now the latest - the day of my surgery, my blood sugar was 79. A year later it shot up to 94. Now this year, it has reached 100. I feel like I'm preventing BC recurrence but developing diabetes!

In searching around, I find a few references to increased blood sugar but it seems to be rare. It's not listed as a side effect but I am convinced that this is from the anastrozole! Next week, I see my MO but I'm pretty sure she will say it is from gaining weight and getting older.

Does anyone else find increased blood sugar a SE? If so, will losing weight alone really help if I stay on the anastrozole? I'm willing to try to take off the extra 30 pounds I gained since menopause but I know how hard that will be. Meanwhile, my blood sugar keeps rising...

Spookiesmom, I use Walgreens too for my Teva manufacturered anastrozole. I had them put on my record that I was to get it ONLY from Teva. One of the gals here said her pharmacist told she could do that (and it was Walgreens). Glad you're not having issues with the "new" manufacturer!

nge92119 Some of the SE were cumulative for me. That's why after 3 years I made the witch to Exemestane (Aromasin). I've been on it since April and doing great! I gained weight with Anastrozole. Few pounds every year. In 7 months I lost 10 lbs and pretty close to a normal weight for me at this age. Only need to lose maybe 5 more to be the weight I was before diagnosis but I was in great shape then and premenopausal. Few pounds aren't a big deal. One of the best things you can do to control diabetes (other than diet) is exercise every day.

CVS out here also uses Teva but was told it can change. Where ever you get your Teva you need to put a note. I also had a note when getting at Costco. I would have to check though.