Angela

Hi Judi Ann,

I have not heard of anyone having to take Arimidex for 10 years. i ahve been prescribed for 5 years and have now been on it for 6 weeks. i have noticed considerable differance in my joints-knees,ankles and especially hands. I already have nerve damage from the chemo and arthritis so my hands are a mess.I am frustrated with the loss of dexterity in my ability to use my hands so I am hoping that this will improve. I will give the drug another month and hope I see some improvement. I am going to exercises in a thermal pool (started today) so am hoping this may help my joints. i have also booked in to see an acupuncturist in 2 weeks so lets hope that helps the hands & nerve damage.

I had a bone density scan before starting the drug and am also on calcium and vit d supplements. I hope your dr has checked these out for you as the supplements will help with the bone density issues.  

For joint pain i am also taking glucosamine and fish oil. I'm willing to try these if I can get some improvements.

My last resort is going off the Arimidex as I hope my symptoms will improve and better than cancer returning.

I would be interested to hear from others who have been advised to take Arimidex for 10 years, instead of the usual five years.  I am currently on a 3mths trial of stopping Arimidex to see if it lessons my joint pain.  After just over 7 weeks, I have noticed an improvement.  I am worried I will have a great deal of pain and perhaps break bones if I continue Arimidex for 10 years.  I am already a senior.

Hi Angela

The symptoms do settle down after a while.  The worst for me is the joint aches.  But even those have settled down a bit with time.

Good luck,

Tanya

Hiya Kas

thank you for your imfo, thats awfull you had to have a hysterectomy, but then you got your life back,

you take care

Hiya Shirl

Thank you for all your imfo yes I did get my jorney and thought it was just so helpful I call it my cancer bible,

and yes I did join the verve as well. Love this website as I still cant feel like I want to talk to people face to face about my condition but rather go on line and get imformation here with all the cancer survivors how lucky  are we, we can talk about it here.

Thank you bcna

Hi Tanya

What scares me is all the side effects you could be having, so what quality of life would I have? Went to the family Drs yesterday he told me my body would settle down after a while, and to get used to it, it also did not mean that I would have symptoms for the next 5yrs. I thought that made sence, So I finaly took me 1st pill taking it at night it made me feel very relaxed, but a bit tired in the morning feeling a bit sluggish. but eh made another step, think this web site is very helpful,

But I would still like to hear about other survivors out there with there symptoms,

Hi Angela, welcome.

I'm with Tanya here, i understand your fears but i did 1 year on tamoxofin, had to have a hysterectomy (as i wasnt in menopause) and have been on Arimadex 21/2 yearsand had no problems on either drugs, have a little faith in your oncologist and modern medicine, it's come a long way and like i say have no complaints,  the pills at the end of your journey to me are the easy bit, good luck....Kaz

Hi Angela, welcome.

I'm with Tanya here, i understand your fears but i did 1 year on tamoxofin, had to have a hysterectomy (as i wasnt in menopause) and have been on Arimadex 21/2 yearsand had no problems on either drugs, have a little faith in your oncologist and modern medicine, it's come a long way and like i say have no complaints,  the pills at the end of your journey to me are the easy bit, good luck....Kaz

Hi blossom

What scares you about taking Arimidex???  Whilst I am not a fan of Arimidex, i would not dream of not taking it.  I have been taking it for 3 years and have another 2 to go.

The thought of dying from Breast Cancer scares me more!!

Let us know what your concerns are and we can maybe shed some light on your concerns.

Tanya

Hi blossom

What scares you about taking Arimidex???  Whilst I am not a fan of Arimidex, i would not dream of not taking it.  I have been taking it for 3 years and have another 2 to go.

The thought of dying from Breast Cancer scares me more!!

Let us know what your concerns are and we can maybe shed some light on your concerns.

Tanya