I have been taking Arimidex for 6 weeks now and I was wanting to talk to anyone else who has been prescribed these tablets. To start with I had very minor symptoms but now I am feeling nauseas and headachey most days. Do the symptoms get worse or level off?
Hi Pam, I feel your pain. Have you tried Femara? I know ladies who suffer on Arimidex and cope with Femara (myself included) and vice versa. It is like being between a rock and a hard place; do you stop taking the medication because of the side effects and put up with the threat of cancer returning? Or have such a reduced quality of life that you wonder if its all worth while anyway? I dont think the doctors get it.
Bella xx
Hi Pam, I feel your pain. Have you tried Femara? I know ladies who suffer on Arimidex and cope with Femara (myself included) and vice versa. It is like being between a rock and a hard place; do you stop taking the medication because of the side effects and put up with the threat of cancer returning? Or have such a reduced quality of life that you wonder if its all worth while anyway? I dont think the doctors get it.
Bella xx
After stopping and starting three times now in the last 18 months I have finally decided that enough is enough and I am going to take my chances without. It is an evil medication - my joints are painful and swollen, I have put on 10 kilos, sleeplessness, depression and a general feeling of lethargy. This last time ahs been for six months and I just cannot bear the thought of it for 4 and a half more years. If anyone has an a alternative, please please share the thought. Many thanks Pam xx
Hi Lynne,
Doc has decided to put me on Femara, I will let you know how that goes. Take care, Bella PS I had a hard time trying to find this thread again.
our conversation is getting so skinny it will be one word across soon :)
I'm so relieved to hear there are others in the same boat. It makes it easier knowing I am not alone. Take care my friends,
Love,
Lynne
Thanks Suzy, and I was actually wondering the same thing. It is hard to explain to someone just what it feels like....I dont feel quite so alone now, after talking with you and lyn. Thank you very much. Must go, early start tomorrow. Take care xx
I wonder if having some form of arthritis already ( and I have had JA since I was nine) exacerbates the side effects of these drugs. My onc has changed me abain this week as I could not get out of bed with the pain in my hip. thinking of you and lyn11 it really is a downer!! I do wish they would take the drug for a month just to see what happens!!
my husband is the same....supportive but doesn't really understand like someone who has been through it :) That is why my group is so important to me and I know the others feel the same. There is an unsaid but automatic connection.
The xray sounds good. Let me know how you get on.
Must get ready for work,
Lynne XXX
actually that bothered me too - I asked the onc - how do I know if the cancer has spread to the bones - answer - pain - question - well how will I know given the severe pain I have now - answer - if it gets worse - aaarrgghh - how can I tell. It is frustrating; but not everyone seems to get that pain. I met a lady while I was having radiotherapy, and she had no pain at all on Arimidex. My GP was poking at my patella the other day, and needless to say I was reacting, and she said , oh I think you might have osteoarthritis and is sending me off to have my knee x-rayed - it will be interesting to see what that shows. Thanks for taking the time to reply to me, I feel better just sharing this with someone who really understands. My hubby is very sympathetic, but I think unless you've been there, you just don't really get it. Thanks again Lynne, and I'm sure we'll talk again soon.
Regards, Bella
