Arimidex verses Tamoxifen who wins?

Hey Kim!

Well, I took Tamoxifen for 4yrs and had a recurrence :/ I also had no side effects on it that I noticed to be honest. Arimidex is a whole other story. After Chemo last year at age 48yo thrown into menopause so Started Arimidex January this year. Im in horrendous pain constantly, unable to work more than 3days and even then am struggling physically. My Oncologist did a report to my insurance as I get part income protection, stating whilst exercise is beneficial it will not rehabilitate me quickly back to work, as Chemo side effects coupled with Arimidex for at least another 4yrs has me stuck. I take Vit. D and C and Magnesium so important. However, even after all this and Tamoxifen 4yrs?? I have Osteoporosis in my lower lumbar and neck. OMG!!! and have to have 2 Prolia injections a year! Im honestly unsure where to go from here, as I really am debilitated and exercise only exacerbates the condition. Vicious circle, and I start with an exercise physiologist in a few weeks, to try and help. But seems like whilst on this, not sure how any of it will help, completely frustrated and over it. Ohhh icing on the cake now facing a Mastectomy/ Diep flap recon in the next 90 days!!! If I can find an alternative which Im seeing a Kinesiologist who does more for me than whole medical profession. Getting to a better place slowly...I want off all meds!!! 
Kim everyone is different, as I said I had zero side effects on Tamoxifen and I believe my pain is chemo and Arimidex combined. 

Hi @"Kim R" you may find some more information here Tamoxifen and I am sure some of the members will be able to share some insights into taking Arimidex.

Lost the last bit of my post??
Wishing you all the best Kim. I hope you are one of the lucky ones.  It doesn't seem right that after going through so much we also need to worry about the drug we take to keep us cancer free.
Jane xx

Hi Kim, I have only been taking Arimidex for 3.5 months and was so anxious to start.  Maybe this is too soon to feel all the effects but I've heard many ladies say side effects kicked in pretty quickly.  My prescription sat on the bench for 2 weeks while I waited to see my GP for his feedback. I read so much information I was petrified. He sent me to another clinical website which showed most of the clinical trials and resultant side effects were from women over 64, overweight and sedentary.  He didn't think I would have too many side effects - I have a B12 injection every 2 month (my body just doesn't make B12), high dose 25,000ic vitamin D capsule per week. I'm also taking calcium, glucosamine, vitamin C and magnesium daily.  And the big hitter is exercise. I try to do a hilly 5-7 km walk at least 3 times a week.  I already have a bit of bone density loss in my hip from having low vitamin D levels so this was one of my big concerns in taking Arimidex.  That will be monitored over the next 12 months but in the meantime I'll keep up the exercise and calcium.  I feel absolutely fine Kim.  Few hot flushes at night but at 55 I would be having those anyway!  No joint pain either. We are all different - I know some of the ladies suffer terribly and others like me are doing OK.  I was fortunate in not needing chemo or radiation, I wonder if going through this treatment makes you more likely to get side effects?  
So I now take around 8 tablets a day and I'm not game to change anything in case I break the magic combination!  I take my Arimidex in the morning after breakfast.  I am a terrible tablet taker, makes me gag as soon as it is in my mouth. My trick is taking the giant calcium and glucosamine in a spoon of yoghurt