Angela

Hi Judi

Now that you mention it, I don't know of anyone who has been taking Arimedex for so long.....

In my case the surgeon removed 24 lymph nodes, 6 were involved.  I had a lumpectomy, the borders were clear.  I had radiotherapy and chemo...!  Then, the oncologist said that I had to take Tamoxifen but as I explained before it didn't work for me and I was prescribe Arimedex, that according to the oncologist was the best in this situation.

Keep in touch, all the best

Norma

Hi Norma

Thanks very much for your message.  You are the only person I've heard of, except for myself, who is having to take Arimidex longer than 5years.  Do you know why your oncologist wants you to take it for 8yrs?  I understand the reason I have to is due to having 4 out of 12 lymph nodes under my arm having cancer too.

I do admire you for being so positive and I also agree we are better to take the Arimidex, despite the joint pains, etc rather than the alternative.

Keep on fighting and I will too.

Regards - Judi Ann

Hi Judy Ann

I've been on Arimedex for 7 years.....Yes, there are side effects however, I'd rather take the tablet daily than risk cancer returning. I'm aware that there are no guaranties.  My oncologist said that the best would be to take it for 8 years but if I have to take it longer I think that I will.

I was on Tamoxifen for almost 1 year and had polyps so my dr prescribed Arimedex. I had joint pain (very mild now), my hair is thinner than before and has affected my bone density but I'm here fighting....

Regards

Norma

Hi Judy Ann

I've been on Arimedex for 7 years.....Yes, there are side effects however, I'd rather take the tablet daily than risk cancer returning. I'm aware that there are no guaranties.  My oncologist said that the best would be to take it for 8 years but if I have to take it longer I think that I will.

I was on Tamoxifen for almost 1 year and had polyps so my dr prescribed Arimedex. I had joint pain (very mild now), my hair is thinner than before and has affected my bone density but I'm here fighting....

Regards

Norma

Hi Lynne

My GP has referred me to an Oncologist for a second opinion about Arimidex, so meantime, I am off it on a trial basis and the joint pain has eased in 12 weeks for sure.  My GP thinks I could take Tamoxifen, but I have read things about this as well.  You are right in that it's better to take it and have a better chance of not getting cancer again.  I hope we can keep in touch.

Judi Ann

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