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Michele_B's avatar
Michele_B
Member
6 years ago

Do the aches and pains go away after Arimidex?

Afternoon lovelies,
Wondered if anyone has come off Arimidex (anastrozole) and noticed if aches persisted or went away?
I was on tamoxifen for 4 and a half years but was then switched to Arimidex because of ongoing gynae issues.
I have been on arimidex for almost 8 months now and am having some fairly uncomfortable aches and stiffness, particularly in hands but also in hips and ankles. Feel like 59 going on 89!!
As I had osteoporosis in my lumbar spine before starting this, the plan is I will probably come off it in March.
My question is, does anyone know if aches will subside then, or am I stuck with them??
Hope everyone is going along the best they can be.
Michele xx

hormone-therapies
survivorship
  • Sandra_W's avatar
    Sandra_W
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi girls. I've been on Anastrozole only for 8 weeks, and I'm so tired all the time. The aching joints, random aches and shooting pains, weight gain, depression, and fatigue are really affecting my life. I had already finished menopause years ago (I am 67) but the hot flushes are still annoying but tolerable. How long will this last? My tumour has responded very quickly to the medication, at present I dont know when I will have more tests. I live 230km form Kalgoorlie, so access to services is a chellenge, and with the current Covid crisis,I feel that my problems are minor in the big scheme of things. But I am so sick of feeling like this,and finding it harder to get on with my life. Does it get better? 
  • Michele_B's avatar
    Michele_B
    Member
    6 years ago
    Thanks @Brenda5. I actually ended up seeing my GP today. He said in 70 or 80 per cent of cases, side effects disappear after treatment, but the remainder have them forever.  I sure do hope I'm in yhe majority!! 
    He suggested 2 panadol osteo and 1 neurofen, 3 times a day to see if that helps. Not that happy yo add more pills to the mix but will try it for a few days to see if it helps.
    Don't worry, like you, every time my back plays up big time, mets to my spine are right in the front of my mind but then it eases and I push it to the back again!!
    Thanks for your reply, hoping all continues to go okay for you.
    Michele x 
  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    6 years ago
    Most of my aches did go away after I stopped Letrozole. Months later I had some coming back but it was fleeting and they seem to have resolved themselves. Worries me though that bone cancer might be a thing in my future. Hoping it was just the meds.