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?
my onc and gp were pretty nonchalant as well! Let them have some and feel what it is like! I felt mine was like stretching the tendons as far as possible and then cutting with a knife...slowly. Such pain! And my patella is tender like it is bruised. I was a bit worried that the cancer had spread to the bones but then I started reading other blogs and the pain seems pretty normal. I have 3 years 9 months to go :(
Lynne
Thanks Lynne, Yes, pretty much just my knees now, and occasionally my back, but I think the back pain is because I walk funny :) when I first started taking Arimidex I had such pain in my right foot the dr thought I must have broken it and sent me for x-rays; and it wasnt broken. As you say, some days it's ok, but others its like someone is poking a hot knife into my knees - I, too, have to take the pain killers when at work, I at home today and was going to try not to take any today, but couldn't walk. I, too, am frightened that if I stop, the cancer might/will come back; and as bad as it is, it's better than chemo - but some days, I just think - what the heck, I cant go on like this - particularly for another 4 years or so. I have discussed it with the oncologist on my last two visits; have rung the Arimidex help line; and have discussed it with my GP; and none of them were of much use. The oncologist just said that we (huh, he's not taking it) would persist with Arimidex for the time being; and if it go too bad (he obviously wasnt listening properly) then he might swap me on to another one; but apparently they all have similar side effects, to greater or lesser degree. You take care, too, Lynne and thanks again. Please keep in touch. Bella xxx
Poor Bella! I know what you are going through. Some days it is OK with just twinges, but other days every step is painful and my whole legs screams at me. I don't like taking painkillers but when I am at work I have to. Is it every joint with you? Mine is in the knees mainly. I want to stop taking the Arimidex but fear the cancer coming back.
Take care,
Lynne
Hi suzy, would be v. interested in seeing how you cope with Femara after trying arimidex - my joint pain is also excruciating, am taking up to 8 painkillers per day, and who knows what that's doing to my liver/kidneys, but cant cope otherwise. Am also interested in anyone who may have had some success with alternatives, e.g. meditation or accupuncture etc. I am a bit wary of taking over the counter alternatives, but what about glucosamine? I tend to think that may not make any difference, because, technically there isn't wear and tear on the joints which is causing the pain. Good luck suzy41.
Had to come off arimidex- made my arthritis excruciating!! AM TRYING FEMARA BUT the puffiness of feet and ankles is terrible. Had a really bad week this week. Now the heat and humidity is rising and I am feeling so much more than usual! Will let you know how the femarta goes- there are several alternatives and I am convinced that we just have top keep trying till we get the least side effects.
Hi everyone, first of all, good luck with your treatment and wherever you are on your "journey". I have been on Arimidex for just over 6 months, and have had extreme joint pain on occasions - I have a high pain threshold, but this has reduced me to tears and has made me unable to cope with day to day stuff - not ALL the time, but when it hits, it REALLY hits. I suspect this is because I have had Ross River fever previously, with a history of joint pain. Has anyone had any luck with alternative therapies? I am desperate
Hi everyone, first of all, good luck with your treatment and wherever you are on your "journey". I have been on Arimidex for just over 6 months, and have had extreme joint pain on occasions - I have a high pain threshold, but this has reduced me to tears and has made me unable to cope with day to day stuff - not ALL the time, but when it hits, it REALLY hits. I suspect this is because I have had Ross River fever previously, with a history of joint pain. Has anyone had any luck with alternative therapies? I am desperate
It does get better Suzy. My joints (especially knees) can get very painful, more so when I am at work, but my doctor told me to take Nurofen on the bad days. The headaches and nausea are nowhere near as bad as when I first started. I was going to quit but my oncologist convinced me to " stick with the programme" and I am glad now I did. I see her on Monday :)
Good luck.
XXX
I have been on Arimidex for three weeks and have found that my joints have become very painful- my hip is the worst but my fingers are stiff and my fine motor control is getting really bad- could not even crochet yesterday. I have had arthritis since I was 9 and have had it under control for the most part, but an now feeling terrible. Have noticed some swelling of feet also. I hope this improves. Still having problems with the after effects of taxotere so am not sure which side effects are from which drug. I do not like being on this drug cocktail they have got me on.
thanks for your reply, Kaz. How long have you been on the pills?
