arimidex side effects

[krys boekel evans]

aching joints depression vaginal dryness headaches low libido after one year on this drug..

[Jackie]

Tiredness, blurred vision, lack of concentration, depression, no sex drive - arimidex for you!

[Vivienne]

I've made the decision not to take Arimidex. (had mastectomy and reconstruction). Quality of life is extremely important, and I am not willing to subject myself to potential serious side-effects. I feel great now and am working hard to lose excess weight. I feel that this will compensate for any reduced risk factor in taking Arimidex.

[Carol]

Vivienne wrote:

I've made the decision not to take Arimidex.(had mastectomy and reconstruction). Quality of life is extremely important, and I am not willing to subject myself to potential serious side-effects. I feel great now and am working hard to lose excess weight. I feel that this will compensate for any reduced risk factor in taking Arimidex.

Vivienne, I'm glad you came through surgeries and therapies and that you are feeling well. I would suggest you reconsider your decision regarding Arimidex. Yes, some women do have to put up with side effects such as leg swelling and generalized pain in joints and muscles but that's a small price to pay if it truly helps to prevent the cancer from returning. I had breast CA 11 years ago and because of other medical problems couldn't take Tamoxifen. The cancer returned several years ago and I had to have a mastectomy and chemo. I'm taking Arimidex and sometimes balk at the swelling, but my blood levels are all good, and all indications are that the cancer is not there. I would consider trying it and if it turns out that you suffer unbearable side affects then you can reconsider and decide how much this is really affecting your quality of life. Best of health!

[Susan]

Vivienne wrote:

I've made the decision not to take Arimidex.(had mastectomy and reconstruction). Quality of life is extremely important, and I am not willing to subject myself to potential serious side-effects. I feel great now and am working hard to lose excess weight. I feel that this will compensate for any reduced risk factor in taking Arimidex.

Vivienne, I also had a mastectomy with reconstruction and choose to opt out of any further treatment because I also feltl (as you said so well!) that "quality of life is extremely important". I felt that I had taken all necessary precautionary steps with a bilateral mastectomy and my nodes were clear. I did not want to experiment with my health. A year later (a year of feeling very well with renewed interest in diet, exercise and reducing stress) my oncologist continued to suggest that I reconsider my decision and give Aromasin a try. Truthfully, I began to doubt my prior decision and agreed to at least give it a try. It was a disaster. I had extreme gastrointestinal reactions as well as joint pain, headache, etc. After relaying this information to my oncologist he then suggested that I give Arimidex a try. I am into my third week and, although I am not having many of the side effects that I did with the Aromasin, I am having extreme joint/bone pain, and have had enough. This is not how I want to live whatever amount of time I have left in this world. I applaud your decision. There are no guarantees in life, only one precious day at time.

[JoAnn-dfw]

I'm 56 years old, diagnosed 3 years ago, Stage II, T20, partial mastectomy, treated with chemo, radiation. Previous 2 years on Tamoxifen & for last 7 of 8 weeks on Aromasin...made me feel similar to my lowest point of chemo...awful joint pain, zero energy, depressed. So, now I'm on Arimidex (just started yesterday). If this affects me like the Aromasin, I'm done. Quality is more important than quantity to me. Everyone has to decide for themselves.

[pat]

Every joint in my body aches...I have been taking arimidex for 18 months and every month the aches get worse....

[Lesley]

I've been on Arimidex for almost 18 months and I've had enough. Horrible aching in my joints and muscles. Lack of energy. Night sweats. No libido. Took myself off it last week. Simply not worth it.

[julie]

Vivienne wrote:

I've made the decision not to take Arimidex.(had mastectomy and reconstruction). Quality of life is extremely important, and I am not willing to subject myself to potential serious side-effects. I feel great now and am working hard to lose excess weight. I feel that this will compensate for any reduced risk factor in taking Arimidex.

vivian can you email me.. i too am on arimidex and i have had much hair loss.. aug will be 5 yrs only 4 months to go and i've toyed with going off it now but i know i must stay on.. for 5 yrs.. but i've read a lot on here where the crown is affected the most.. thats where i am the barest... derm. labeled it female pattern and i think i am about to go out of my mind as it consumes me yet i cant help it as i look so disgusting and feel the holes.. can you tell me if you've had a lot of hair loss.. you made the decision to go off it.. yet i worry about a recurrance.... what should i do.. mine was early stage 1.1 cm, neg nodes, estroge pos, 90% cure was given me... would stopping 4 months early be stupid? yet my dr says i have to be on it 3 more yrs for more protection and sorry i just cannot do that.. maybe its in my mind but i did go off it a while and got scared and went back on.. during that time i could have sworn it looked thicker... i wish i knew if it were the meds.... what do you think i should do>> can you email me at [e-mail].. i need to know your experience.. thanks so much.

[Gill]

I am 43 years old. Diagnosed 3 years ago with Grade 3 Stage 3 (lymphnode involvement) I have received chemo, radiotherapy and have been on tamoxifen for the last 2 years and in receipt of zoladex injnctions( due to tamoxifen bleeds). I saw my Oncologist last week and he wants me to start Arimidex. I have just been told I have lymphovascular invasion. What should I do take it or leave it ?

[Patricia]

While I am not a fan of pharmaceuticals, living a productive life has its attractions. I have had every side effect mentioned, but I am cancer free after three years on Tamoxifen and two years on Arimidex. I have three more years to go,and would recommend it. Our bodies are but part of us. It's what we give to others that matters, and I am able to volunteer my time to things that matter to me at this point in life. Go for it, ladies. But stay informed.

[Liz]

Patricia I am interested to hear that you have a further three years on Arimidex. I have been on Tamoxifen for two years and one year on Arimidex. I have been told that I need to be on Arimidex for a further one year ,which makes a total of five years.
Although I have the side effects too I would be happy to contiue for a further three years.
I would be interested to hear what is the rationale for you staying on it for so long.Is it a matter of choice or must?

[Liz]

Patricia Correction -I have been on Arimidex for two years not one.

[Paula Hampshire UK]

I have been taking Arimidex for about 2 years. I have no libido, vaginal dryness and my joints in my hands ache. I have very little energy and sometimes I am overwhelmed by tiredness, despite a healthy diet and some exercise. I have worked all through my cancer treatment and recovery and perhaps this has contributed to the lack of energy and tiredness.

[Alycia]

I too am on Arimidex with herceptin. I have been taking it for 6 mths and have alot of achiness, mostly when I stand up after sitting. Sometimes it feels like I'm walking on rocks. After I have been up a little while the symptoms seem to fade. Don't believe I should stop taking it, but not sure if I can put up with the achiness for another 4 years.

[Judy Holmdel NJ]

I am searching for help for my 82 year old mom. She came thru her breast surgey and radition without sideeffects and contined her normal activities. She then started Arimidex and one month on it she has severe thigh pain, TMJ joint pain(almost could not open her mouth) and what she describes as "horrible night sweats". She also became anemic and dehydrated...all in about 2 months
She spent last week in hospital and was given blood tranfusion which improved her Hgb to 10.9
She is now home and feels still weak, has night sweats, and leg pain. Doctors want to do a bone marrow and colonoscopy to determine the source of anemia, yet he biggest complaint continues to be night sweats and leg pain. This is incapacitating her, she is house bound and cant do any of her nomal activities. I do beleive this is linked to the Arimidex, any similar experiences? Any suggestions of what would be helpful? And,solutions of what to suggest to the doctors would be appreciated

[Dee]

I have been on Arimidex 5 years but not every day, it causes aches, my br ca was 99% estrogen related, I have taken DIM (Diindolylmrehane complex) supposed to be a natural Estrogen blocker, has anyone taken that or heard of it?(Allergy Research Group is the brand).

[Deb]

I have just recently stopped taking Arimidex. I took Tamoxifen for two years and Arimidex for three years. While taking tamoxifen I was very achy and had a lot of joint pain. Could hardly go up and down stairs. And had to stand for a while from a seated positon before I could walk. Then the doctor put me on Arimidex and I did much better. I am still having those awful hotflashes though after five years. Since I quit taking the Arimidex I have had a lot of feeling in my skin. Like very sensitive to touch. And my gums and teeth hurt. Not sure if it is an Arimidex withdrawal symtom. My dentist says its a bad tooth but all my teeth hurt. Has anyone else had anything like this? I felt really tired also for a few weeks after going off of Arimidex. Im much more energetic now but I have a lot of joint pain in my jaw and teeth and my teeth ache which is making me have head aches. AND I too put on weight with the estrogen blockers. About 20 LBS. Its still hard to get it off and I have been off of the Arimidex for about 6 weeks. Maybe it takes a while to get it out of your system.

[sem]

I was on Tamoxifen right after surgery, then was put on Femara and began having serious joint pain. My oncologist switched me to Arimidex and the symptons lessened - for awhile. After 8 months, terrible muscle pains and then joint pains agin. During that time, I was put on Fosamax, and now my jaw is killing me on the left side. I don't know if this is from the foxamax (alot of press about this) or the arimidex. I am about to stop taking everything except my Lexapro - That is the only drug that has kept me sane. I am constantly tired, have headaches all the time and just can't endure much more muscle pain. I would appreciate any feedback about these symptons.

[judy]

I am 45 years old and was diagnosed 1 year ago this week with bc and had to have a mastectomy. I started on Tamoxifen. Then this spring had to have a hysterectomy due to several new fibroids that grew quite large (quickly). The dr. then put me on Aromisin. I have taken Aromisin for 4 months and have had terrible joint pain, mostly in my hips, knees, feet and hands. My oncologist has switched me to Femara. I stopped taking th Aromisin last week (5 days ago) and now suddenly started having vertigo. I have not started the Femara, so it could not be from that. Has anyone else had this symptom of vertigo from withdrawing from any of these meds??? It came on one evening and was worse the next day. Today it is still there. The room is spinning everytime I move my head. I guess I should call my Dr.