Arimidex v Tamoxifen
Hello there, hope everyone is as good as can be. Saw my oncologist yesterday for a check up. It has been a little over 3 years since my lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. I have been on Arimidex since J...
Forum Discussion
Hey @"Hazel M",
So sorry you are experiencing a lot of trouble with Arimidex. My experience is a little different (kind of the reverse) but might be relevant.
I started off on Tamoxifen and had hardly any side effects, just mood swings (very cranky at times!). But no joint pain or lack of sex drive. After 2 years and the removal of my ovaries I switched to Femara (Letrozole, similar to Arimidex, I think). I have been on that for about 15 months now. Joint pain stopped me in my tracks at first, on Femara, and it has resulted in some sexual issues too (which I have now sorted out, I hope). It also affected my bone density and I felt very depressed there for a while. The joint pain lessened over time but the best thing for it has been starting on Curcumin tablets.
This is a supplement made from Turmeric. (You always need to check that it is ok to take supplements with any other medications you may be on). It also is reported to help with cholesterol issues. It has taken 3 months for the full effects to be appreciated but for me it seems to be working brilliantly. My mood has also improved, maybe because I am not in constant pain!
Sometimes if you can get on top of one side effect the rest start to fix themselves too. Less joint pain means I feel more energetic. I get more done and feel happier. I'm happier, feeling more relaxed so that helps with the sexual side of things too.The vicious circle starts to reverse itself.
The Curcumin seems to be working so well that I have been able to stop taking the Krill Oil and Glucosamine that I was taking to try and help the joint pain.
So for me, while Tamoxifen was mainly just mood effects, getting on top of the joint pain on Femara has resulted in a pretty good quality of life. Tamoxifen might be worth a try but I found lots of help on here with ways of coping better with the side effects of Femara. I also have to be on something because of high risk of recurrence.
Anyway, I am sorry to hear that you are not coping well with it. I remember how well you went at first after all your treatment. Hope that you find some answers. Maybe there will be some other ladies who have swapped to Tamoxifen with good results. Take care. Deanne xxx
So sorry you are experiencing a lot of trouble with Arimidex. My experience is a little different (kind of the reverse) but might be relevant.
I started off on Tamoxifen and had hardly any side effects, just mood swings (very cranky at times!). But no joint pain or lack of sex drive. After 2 years and the removal of my ovaries I switched to Femara (Letrozole, similar to Arimidex, I think). I have been on that for about 15 months now. Joint pain stopped me in my tracks at first, on Femara, and it has resulted in some sexual issues too (which I have now sorted out, I hope). It also affected my bone density and I felt very depressed there for a while. The joint pain lessened over time but the best thing for it has been starting on Curcumin tablets.
This is a supplement made from Turmeric. (You always need to check that it is ok to take supplements with any other medications you may be on). It also is reported to help with cholesterol issues. It has taken 3 months for the full effects to be appreciated but for me it seems to be working brilliantly. My mood has also improved, maybe because I am not in constant pain!
Sometimes if you can get on top of one side effect the rest start to fix themselves too. Less joint pain means I feel more energetic. I get more done and feel happier. I'm happier, feeling more relaxed so that helps with the sexual side of things too.The vicious circle starts to reverse itself.
The Curcumin seems to be working so well that I have been able to stop taking the Krill Oil and Glucosamine that I was taking to try and help the joint pain.
So for me, while Tamoxifen was mainly just mood effects, getting on top of the joint pain on Femara has resulted in a pretty good quality of life. Tamoxifen might be worth a try but I found lots of help on here with ways of coping better with the side effects of Femara. I also have to be on something because of high risk of recurrence.
Anyway, I am sorry to hear that you are not coping well with it. I remember how well you went at first after all your treatment. Hope that you find some answers. Maybe there will be some other ladies who have swapped to Tamoxifen with good results. Take care. Deanne xxx