Arimidex and Femara, what's the difference?

[Christine- W]

I have just been switched from Arimidex to Femara because I was suffering dangerous depression as a side effect and I wonder if anyone knows the difference between the two drugs? My onco said that some women tolerate Femera better than Arimidex- any comments appreciated.

[Bev]

I'm so thankful for this forum and being aware of the side effects other women are experiencing from Femara and Arimidix. I completed all of my treatments (chemo and radiation) this January and started Arimidix. I'm tolerating the pill without much difficulty but I am having the same joint pains that have been described. The pains start when I sit and relax as well as when I sleep. I will try aleve...hopefully that will help the joint pains. It's been five months since my chemo...my hair is growing very slowly (not enough to wear without a wig). For Christine W., it may be helpful to take an anti-depressant. I started taking wellbutrin once a day and have not had any depression through all my treatments. Good luck on the Femera.

[Sandi]

I took Arimidix for 1 1/2 yrs and the last six months have had terrible depression,mood swings,joint pain and am miserable all the time. The doctor just switched me to Femara but I have only been on it 3 days. Made an appointment with a clinical social worker-maybe talking it out will help

[carol lane]

Glucosime is a big help with joints I take about 2000mg a day and am so grateful for it. Takes a few days for it to start but with Aleve my life got so much better.

[carol lane]

i changed from Arimidix to Femara and found the latter better for me. Not great but better as I had less mood swings, hands that would not open in the morning.

[Angela Gatto]

I have been taking Arimidex since Jan. 08. I did exp. hot flashes (now just occasionally) body aches esp. in the early a.m. hrs., most of all leg pain. It is very difficult to go up & down stairs but sometimes it's easier. I don't know whether to ask my dr. to switch me to Femera- is it just as successful in keeping the cancer from returning and is it more tolerable.

[Carol]

Angela,
I changed from Armidex to Femara and the doctor said that the estrogen reducing effects are the same and that there are no good studies comparing the two drugs. I am doing much better and have been on Femara for three years. I was on Arimidix for three months and am thankful for the change. Still some aches that I treat with Glucosamine and Aleve. I think some additional side affects were due to radiation and chemo.

[Barb]

Carol wrote:

Angela,
I changed from Armidex to Femara and the doctor said that the estrogen reducing effects are the same and that there are no good studies comparing the two drugs. I am doing much better and have been on Femara for three years. I was on Arimidix for three months and am thankful for the change. Still some aches that I treat with Glucosamine and Aleve. I think some additional side affects were due to radiation and chemo.

I was on tamoxifen for three years and changed to arimidex and have been on it for four months and am changing to femera because i read it is better than arimidex for reoccuring cancer. I've gained weight but not sure if it was Christmas cookies, i have breast pain in my surgery area which i didn't have.(had a clean mammogram and dr. exam after i went on arimidex while i had the pain)and have noticed bone pain during the night which isn't awful. How are you doing with femera since your last post and how long will you be on this medicine? Mr. Dr. said a couple years is all he wants me to be on this arimidex/femera.

[Barb]

Angela Gatto wrote:

I have been taking Arimidex since Jan. 08. I did exp. hot flashes (now just occasionally) body aches esp. in the early a.m. hrs., most of all leg pain. It is very difficult to go up & down stairs but sometimes it's easier. I don't know whether to ask my dr. to switch me to Femera- is it just as successful in keeping the cancer from returning and is it more tolerable.

i AM INTERESTED IN KNOWING HOW YOU ARE DOING ON ARIMIDEX. THINKING OF CHANGING TO FEMERA...

[Carol]

Barb
I am doing well with Femara. I have had to start taking Fosomax because of bone thinning. This is due to Femara causing osteoporsis--also a side effect of the chemo. Otherwise I am feeling better and not having to take so much Aleve and Glucosamine these days. I actually think the Fosamax has helped with the Femara side effects as they diminished a few weeks after I started taking it.

[Barbara]

After my lumpectomy the first medication prescribed was Temoxifin. I remained on it for approx 2 years and then it was replaced with Femara because of the possible side affects of uterine cancer - not for any negative side effects of Temoxifin. Until recently I didn't realise that it is most likely the Femara that has been causing me to feel angry,impatient and intolerant most of the time.(I don't know why I didn't realise before this). I saw my breast specialist recently and she has prescribed Arimidex which after reading the comments in the forum I am really having second thoughts about taking. Help!!

[Sally]

I'm glad to have found this forum. I have been on Arimidex since Feb. 08. The hot flashes are severe at times and are controlled pretty well by taking Effexor. I have the small joint pain primarily in my hands and have tried Celebrex and Aleve. I can't really tell the difference in them so I take Aleve twice a day. A couple of weeks ago I went to my breast surgeon who told me one of her patients told her that Turmeric(in capsule form) helps the joint pain. It took a week or so to notice any difference, but I do think it is some better. What are the differences in Arimidex and Femara?

[Donna]

I am a 3-year breast cancer survivor, but I was never given temoxifin because I am prone to blood clots, and I had to stop the Arimidex after several months due to extreme joint pain. I am now on Femara and, though I still have joint pain, it is not as severe. I was, initially, on a 3-month on 3-month off regiment so that I could manage the side effects. I stopped this about a year ago and, for the past several months, I have seen an increase in the side effects. I have increased anxiety, weeks of depression (I feel like I am always on the verge of tears), mood swings, night sweats, insomnia (like tonight at 11pm when I need to be on the road by 6:15am to go to work tomorrow), weight gain (in spite of exercising), increased neropathy, and a loss of appetite. Most of these symptoms I can deal with, but not the depression--it's destroying my relation with my family (in particular my 21-year old daughter). I have decided to stop the Femara until the Fall, see if I notice a difference, and then decide if I want to return to it all. I would rather take my chances with the cancer than to be physically and emotionally miserable, and to not be the mom I have always been for my daughter. I don't know what else to do.

[Sally]

Donna,
I've been on Arimidex for over a year and have terrible hot flashes and joint pain and soreness from it. I was on Effexor which is a great mood stabilizer and helps with hot flashes but decided to try to do without it. Hot flashes got really bad so now I'm back on it again. It may help you with the depression too. My onco says that Arimidex only causes small joint pain not the large joints like hip, knee,etc.
PS..the Turmeric I mentioned in the last post I wrote really didn't help with the joint pain, so I'm not taking that any more. I may try the Glucosamine.

[lmp]

I have been on Femara for the last six months. I think I will have to go off both because I can't afford the cost and now starting to have leg and chest pain underneath my lumpectomy scar. I am wondering if I should go on Tamoxifen. What are the side effects? It would be most cost effective but don't know if it is even an option. Anyone have any suggestions?

[nosrekrup]

I have been on Femara for the last six months. I think I will have to go off both because I can't afford the cost and now starting to have leg and chest pain underneath my lumpectomy scar. I am wondering if I should go on Tamoxifen. What are the side effects? It would be most cost effective but don't know if it is even an option. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Carol]

My surgeon said that it takes a v/ lomg time for the scar tissue to settle under the scar. I had about 1/2 my breast removed (D cup) and it was sore off and on for about a year. Femara has caused joint pain and aches for me. I attribute the hot flashes to the chemo induced menopause. I was 45 when diagnosed and am now 48. Had moved from arimidix to Femara and am still glad I did. I get stiff, sore but it is getting better. Just sharing what I have been told--I know it can be different for each of us.

Carol

[Ellen]

I was on arimidex I quit after 7 months ... I had pain in my shoulder and that was bad and the depression stopped me in my tracks.The arimidex slips side effects creeps up slowly and I didn't know what to do. I just couldnt bring myself to take anymore of it.. was exsisting no energy at all. God bless us and help us!I'm putting my life in his hands.

Donna wrote:

I am a 3-year breast cancer survivor, but I was never given temoxifin because I am prone to blood clots, and I had to stop the Arimidex after several months due to extreme joint pain. I am now on Femara and, though I still have joint pain, it is not as severe. I was, initially, on a 3-month on 3-month off regiment so that I could manage the side effects. I stopped this about a year ago and, for the past several months, I have seen an increase in the side effects. I have increased anxiety, weeks of depression (I feel like I am always on the verge of tears), mood swings, night sweats, insomnia (like tonight at 11pm when I need to be on the road by 6:15am to go to work tomorrow), weight gain (in spite of exercising), increased neropathy, and a loss of appetite. Most of these symptoms I can deal with, but not the depression--it's destroying my relation with my family (in particular my 21-year old daughter). I have decided to stop the Femara until the Fall, see if I notice a difference, and then decide if I want to return to it all. I would rather take my chances with the cancer than to be physically and emotionally miserable, and to not be the mom I have always been for my daughter. I don't know what else to do.

[Sally]

I previously posted in May,2009 and am still having the aches,pains, and stiffness. I think my hand pain may be a bit better which is good because I am a nurse, and I also do a lot of handwork, ie. crocheting, knitting,sewing. About a month ago I started having pain and soreness in my left foot and numbness in the ball of my right foot. I think I might have plantar fasciitis and have been doing the exercise for it which has helped some, but I'm on my feet a lot. Has anyone here had a similar problem?
Thanks,
Sally (who's headed to the dr today)

[Maria]

I started on Arimidex 4 months ago and so far, have had minimal side effects. Occasional mild hot flashes, breast soreness and/or burning in the breast which had the lumpectomy (which I did not have before I started on Arimidex) and feeling like I need more sleep than I used to are about the extent of it so far. I also have not been able to lose any more weight despite diet and exercise. I sometimes worry that the medication isn't "working" because the side effects are so mild.