I am supposed to start Arimadex this week and quite simply, I feel quite negative about it. Has anyone else gone down the really healthy eating/lifestyle, plenty of exercise, as little stress as possible etc... route?
Hey Andy,
Its all good, I've had a mastectomy, chemo and rads, and now on Arimidex.
The way I look at it is that it's better than the alternative and hopefully keeps us safe up to the 5 year mark.
I haven't gained any extra weight, however I keep gently moving with swimming and cycling, and light gym program. I have some joint stiffness, but if I keep moving it gets better. I also take glucosamine and fish oil each day with my calcium and vitamin D, and I do think that this helps.
I could be better at watching what I eat, however that's one of my New Years resolutions to go for food that's full of vitamins.
Heres hoping that you get minimal side effects and that you stay well.
Sending you a big cuddle, Trace ????????
Hi Andij, I had my first breast cancer back in 2003 - lumpectomy, full node clearance and radiation. I was supposed to take Tamoxifen but after taking it for 3months,I couldn't stand the side effects and I stopped it. I lived a healthy lifestyle but 7 years later the cancer came back in the same breast,same spot.This time I had a mastectomy, then chemo and onto Tamoxifen.I stuck it out for 4 years with the help of another drug(Endep). My oncologist would like me to continue for 10 yrs but I now have other health issues as a result if long term Tamoxifen use so I am reluctant.My advice is to try it and see how you go.I know too many women who have had a recurrence - taking Arimadex or Tamoxifen is your best protection.What worries me is the long term use of these drugs.Having yearly blood tests, bone density or pelvic ultrasounds would hopefully indicate any changes and then you can decide whether to change drugs or stop. It's taken over a year since stopping Tamoxifen for all my health issues to improve.Popping that first pill is always scary but NOT taking it is equally a worry. Good luck with your decision. Tonya xx
Why not give it a try? It might not be as bad as you think. If the side effects are very unpleasant you could always ask your doctor whether you could switch to tamoxifen. I have been on tamoxifen for just on 3 years with no adverse side effects except a thickening of the uterine wall (which was detected by a pelvic ultrasound and treated with a D&C - very common on tamoxifen apparently).
I feel fine on it and have declined my oncologist's suggestion (after chemo put me into menopause) that I switch to an aromatase inhibitor such as Arimadex because I have read so many posts about their unpleasant side effects. But having said that I have never tried them myself so perhaps they could be fine. I am just inclined to stick with what I know is okay for me. My oncologist doesn't seem to mind that I'm staying on tamoxifen btw, as long as I'm taking something to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Either way there are are pros and cons. Tamoxifen has side effects for some people and slightly increases your risk of uterine & endometrial cancer (hence the pelvic ultrasound). I was very reluctant to start taking it at first but now it makes me feel protected to some extent. I do try to live a healthy lifestyle as well, lots of fruit and veg and exercise and less stress. But I think it's safer to take some sort of hormone blocking/minimising medication as well after estrogen positive BC. I think when my five years is up I will be a little nervous about stopping it.
Hi, I have just had my second breast cancer diagnosis! Surgery just before Xmas, my surgeon and I are reluctant to do radiation as it is my left breast right where I have a pacemaker,it will need to be re located ( a logistical nightmare) he has told me he wants me to go on a this Arimidex for 5 yrs, I too am a little reluctant,only 58yrs old. I am also trying to do research on it , I have had a bone density on Tuesday and the results of this will determine whether I start it or not, yes it is pretty daunting, so many suggestions and decisions to make when you are on this journey,however we are very fortunate we are in an era of being able to say we are breast cancer survivors, I think I will decide to take this and see how it goes, good luck with your decision, I will keep you posted ,I hope to hear more from you in the coming weeks on your decision. Sheree
The prospect of taking medication, with possible side effects, over a long period is of course daunting. So is cancer. You can of course decide not to take the medication, but you are wise in seeking very clear and precise information from others as to whether healthy living and exercise isn't enough.
Clearly medical specialists don't think so.
One option is to start and see how you go. I have been on Arimidex and Femara for nearly three years. I have one side effect only (vaginal dryness). I manage it. I have not decided to discontinue the medication as I think it may be worth the negatives.
As you get further away from chemo and surgery, you can get a better perspective on "normal". It can be different, but different may not necessarily be bad. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Hi I started Arimidex about a month ago. I was on Tamoxifan for 12 months and my last visit with oncologist she suggested I change. At this point the only difference has been a few headaches and joint pain. I'm still teary and emotional about the smallest things. I still get hot flushes worst at night when they wake me up and I have disturbed sleep. Not sure if this is medication or my body trying to get back to normal after chemo and numerous surgeries. Unfortunately we don't have much choice. Take care
