arimidex and depression

[Becky Stockwell]

Dee wrote:

I am not on it yet but it has been suggested. After reading the side effects I am not sure I want to take this drug. Seems to me that the side effects or worse than what it might be if not taken. Will the cancer definately come back if I don't take it?
Losts of unanswered yestions on my end.
Any suggestions would help. I am not convinced this is good.

"Dee, what have you found out as of may 06. I do not want these side effect, see my previous post."
Becky

[Anna - Perth Australia]

I was very interested to read all your comments re the effects Arimidex has had on you. I commenced Arimdex 3 weeks ago after 9 months on Tamoxifen. I have had trouble with very painful ankles and also achy joints. I have also noticed I have felt a little 'down' which is not normal for me. I note that some of you have had that feeling too - have you noticed that it diminished over time? I sure hope so!
Any advise is gratefully accepted.
Regards,
Anna

[marge]

I have been on this drug about 7 weeks. I have some joint pain, some depression, but if it may keep me cancer free it's worth it. Has anyone experienced loss of balance or lightheadedness? This is new to me and worrisome. I'm seeing one of my doctors tomorrow so I'll ask them also. Thanks.

Anna - Perth Australia wrote:

I was very interested to read all your comments re the effects Arimidex has had on you. I commenced Arimdex 3 weeks ago after 9 months on Tamoxifen. I have had trouble with very painful ankles and also achy joints. I have also noticed I have felt a little 'down' which is not normal for me. I note that some of you have had that feeling too - have you noticed that it diminished over time? I sure hope so!
Any advise is gratefully accepted.
Regards,
Anna

[marge]

Sorry, my name is Marge.

[Anna - Perth Australia]

Hi Marge. I have been looking at some information my GP gave me about Arimidex and one possible side effect is dizziness so this would explain your feelings of lightheadedness. I would imagine this would then cause the loss of balance too.

Has anyone noticed their side effects dimishing over a time?

Thanks,

Anna

[Carol Lane]

As I mentioned in a different post, Femara is woking better for me after weeks of pain with Armidex

[Carol Lane]

Becky, it is important to know whether the tumor is estrogen receptive positive. If so, you will likly need something to help block estrogen production. OC has elimintated some of this for you but no all. This is why you will need either Arimidex or Femara, I understand from my docs.

[Becky Stockwell]

Dear all,
My tumor was estrogen and progesterone positive. I had been taking estratest after my ovarian cancer surgery for hot flash control..(my ovca tumors were not estrogen sensitive. then I found the .9cm tumor in my breast ahd had lumpectomy March 1..I have not been on anything since(mainly because of previous ovca stage 4..in remission..I have much more of a chance of recurrance with the ovca rather than the breat cancer)I took an estrogen test last week and my results were 19. DoI really need this drug?
Is this estrogen countlow?? I have not spoken to my nurse yet.

[Liz]

As I mentioned in previous email doctors in Washington have found that high doses of Vitamin D helps some women.I take glucosamine (1500)which seems to help and I've also had shiatsu or accupressure as some call it. This again helps a bit.Hope this is useful.

[Dee K]

Anna - Perth Australia wrote:

Hi Marge. I have been looking at some information my GP gave me about Arimidex and one possible side effect is dizziness so this would explain your feelings of lightheadedness. I would imagine this would then cause the loss of balance too.
Has anyone noticed their side effects dimishing over a time?
Thanks,
Anna

I have been of Arimidex for 2 months now - no noticeable side effect - maybe a little fuzzy headedness, which i attribute to lact of caffeine! I exercise almost daily - eat a veggie diet - also take calicum and glucosamine for bone loss and arthritis which i had before this - cancer was stage 1 and small but estrogen positive. I feel good - I think side effects will wear off for most people after 6 months or so. Femara seems to be almost identical - I would go for that if Arimidex did not work. Dee K

[Johana Griffith]

My Medical Oncologist suggested that I take Arimidex instead of Tamoxifen about three years ago. At that time Arimidex was quite new and I had many questions. I did a lot of research on it however, and I trusted this Doctor so went ahead. Both have potential side-effects.
Tamoxifen can cause blood clots as well as cancer of the uterus and I'd have to be watched closely for both. The main side-effects of Arimidex seem to be hot flashes and joint pain, as well as an increased chance of osteoporosis. They seemed (as a group) like "the lesser of two evils" to me.
I initally felt the joint pain, but it lessened. Hot flashes however, became a big concern and I wasn't able to get a decent nights sleep. My Doctor recommended effexor (an anti-depressent) which he believed would help, and it really did. I took it until about two months ago, but hated the taste it left (metalic) and decided to stop it. I no longer have the hot flashes-at least not to the extent that they bother me much. I do have them a bit when it's humid, but they're very bearable.
I have bone density tests every 18 months. There has been some minor bone loss- not to the extent of osteoporosis, and I feel I'm being well monitored.
Having tried to keep up with the newer research on each medication I believe that I made the right decision for me.The aromatase inhibitors appear the be more effective than Tamoxifen. I guess that the big question now is when, if ever, to stop taking Arimidex.
Note that there are newer aromatase inhibitors one being Femara, but I don't know much about them.
I hope this is helpful to someone.

[Becky Stockwell]

Has anyone had a bad urinary infection with arimidex??? I was on the pill 3 days and got one..I had pain bleeding(a lot), pelvic pain and cramping. then it subsided. It is listed in the side effects.I had a fever and am treated wtih antibodics. Oh, buy the way, I have never had a urinary infection before.

[Liz]

Johana Griffith wrote:

My Medical Oncologist suggested that I take Arimidex instead of Tamoxifen about three years ago. At that time Arimidex was quite new and I had many questions. I did a lot of research on it however, and I trusted this Doctor so went ahead. Both have potential side-effects.
Tamoxifen can cause blood clots as well as cancer of the uterus and I'd have to be watched closely for both. The main side-effects of Arimidex seem to be hot flashes and joint pain, as well as an increased chance of osteoporosis. They seemed (as a group) like "the lesser of two evils" to me.
I initally felt the joint pain, but it lessened. Hot flashes however, became a big concern and I wasn't able to get a decent nights sleep. My Doctor recommended effexor (an anti-depressent) which he believed would help, and it really did. I took it until about two months ago, but hated the taste it left (metalic) and decided to stop it. I no longer have the hot flashes-at least not to the extent that they bother me much. I do have them a bit when it's humid, but they're very bearable.
I have bone density tests every 18 months. There has been some minor bone loss- not to the extent of osteoporosis, and I feel I'm being well monitored.
Having tried to keep up with the newer research on each medication I believe that I made the right decision for me.The aromatase inhibitors appear the be more effective than Tamoxifen. I guess that the big question now is when, if ever, to stop taking Arimidex.
Note that there are newer aromatase inhibitors one being Femara, but I don't know much about them.
I hope this is helpful to someone.

Hi Johana
I too researched Tamoxifen versus Arimidex but was refused Arimidex initially.Two years later I managed to persuade my oncologist to give me Arimidex and initially I felt fine other than the joint/bone pain.I have been on it for a year now and wonder how long it took for your joint pains to subside. My main problem is extreme stiffness in the morning and after sitting down for about an hour,especially in the evening.
I'b grateful for any information you could give me.
Liz

[Lin Climo - Dorset]

I started Arimidex 6 months ago after two years on Tamoxifen. I get the joint pain mentioned by some of you, but find it gets better during the day once I get going. Also find the hot flushes a nuisance, but now have recently started getting spots! I never had these as a teenager, but can only suspect the Arimidex. Has anyone else found this? If so, how have you managed to get them to go away? Have I really got to start buying Clearasil?
Lin

[Liz]

Lin Climo - Dorset wrote:

I started Arimidex 6 months ago after two years on Tamoxifen. I get the joint pain mentioned by some of you, but find it gets better during the day once I get going. Also find the hot flushes a nuisance, but now have recently started getting spots! I never had these as a teenager, but can only suspect the Arimidex. Has anyone else found this? If so, how have you managed to get them to go away? Have I really got to start buying Clearasil?
Lin

I'd like to know whether you have the same kind of joint pains as I have.I find it very difficult getting ot of bed in the morning - turning on to my right side is very painful and once I'm standing I find that I am totally locked until I get moving.I can't get out of the chair in the evening without using both arms to lever myself up.

As for the spots I'm afraid that I am also having problems with my skin - so much so that I am considering a facial for the first time in my life.

[suzibren]

susan wrote:

<quoted text>yes, i have been
very "sad" like deeply sad and weepy. have gone off the
Arimidex for the past two weeks. tomorrow must make a
decision whether to back to tamoxifan or back to Arimidex.
any thoughts from anyone ?

...... I, too, have been depressed for two straight years and cannot shake the sadness - now it hit me that it started when I began taking Arimidex - Is this the cause?? Does anyone have any anecdotal evidence that this is the case??

[joan williams]

AFTER 5YEARS CAN ANY ONE TELL ME WILL MY BREAST CANCER RETURN IS IT POSSIBLE

[Lin Climo]

Liz wrote:

<quoted text>
I'd like to know whether you have the same kind of joint pains as I have.I find it very difficult getting ot of bed in the morning - turning on to my right side is very painful and once I'm standing I find that I am totally locked until I get moving.I can't get out of the chair in the evening without using both arms to lever myself up.
As for the spots I'm afraid that I am also having problems with my skin - so much so that I am considering a facial for the first time in my life.

Hi Liz
It sounds like the same joint pain which I get - I find it painful to turn over in bed, and in the morning virtually all joints feel stiff and painful, and I usually feel really cold in the morning. It takes about 20 minutes to get the cold and stiffness to go, and I am also finding that I'm less 'bendy' during the day - I find it painful to straighten up after I've bent down to do anything, and also getting up from from kneeling. Getting out of car seats has become awkward, and I feel as though I've gained 15 years in the last 6 months. I'm currently about to start tai chi again to help to strengthen the joints and hopefully compensate for the stiffness. Have you or anyone tried glucosamine? does it work for this kind of painful joint?

On the plus side, I haven't had lots of the unpleasant side effects that some people have had to cope with, and the spots just offend my vanity really.

Best wishes

Lin

[Liz]

Lin Climo wrote:

<quoted text>
Hi Liz
It sounds like the same joint pain which I get - I find it painful to turn over in bed, and in the morning virtually all joints feel stiff and painful, and I usually feel really cold in the morning. It takes about 20 minutes to get the cold and stiffness to go, and I am also finding that I'm less 'bendy' during the day - I find it painful to straighten up after I've bent down to do anything, and also getting up from from kneeling. Getting out of car seats has become awkward, and I feel as though I've gained 15 years in the
last 6 months. I'm currently about to start tai chi again to help to strengthen the joints and hopefully compensate for the stiffness. Have you or anyone tried glucosamine? does it work for this kind of painful joint?
On the plus side, I haven't had lots of the unpleasant side effects that some people have had to cope with, and the spots just offend my vanity really.
Best wishes
Lin

Hi Lin
Thanks for your comments, its nice to know that it's probably the drug that causing the joint problems.I have been taking 1,500mg of Glucosamine and I think it helps. As of yesterday I've started taking 2,000mg.I also take Cod Liver Oil.I've been to two Pilates sessions and have been considering tai chi.I've also had shiatsu, but it doesn't really help.I've been spending a fortune on alternative treatments to no avail - so now I'm going to try and help myself with exercise.
I'll let you know how I get on.
All the best
Liz

[Judy]

I have been taking Arimidex for l 1/2 yrs. after almost 3 on Tamoxifin. I had frequent hot flashes on both. I have not had depression, but have experienced joint pain, especially morning stiffness in feet and ankles that improves after moving around.I have had vaginal dryness, urinary tract infections , no lbido and painful intercourse. My oncolologist doesn't address these side effects, but my gynecologist does. She had put me on testosterone cream to improve libido and it has helped some, but not the pain.
for unrinary tract infections, she had put me on nightly does of nitrofurantoin Macro, which has taken care of that problem. I have not experienced hot flashes in the last month and don't know if it was just a matter of time or the testosterone.