Switching from Tamoxifen to Arimidex

Let’s hope not about Femara @Brenda5 . Just make sure you get baselines for bone density/ cholesterol before starting and ensure they monitor both. 

I will be up for my review in October. I have been on Tamoxifen since April 2016 with major side effects. I have been advised that Femara will be my next step. It couldn't have more side effects to me than Tamoxifen lol.

@melclarity its Zoledronic acid infusion. My GP recomended it as she said her latest info on prolia was that you have to be very compliant with having it almost to the day every six months or the effectiveness can dramatically reduce. So she said she was only suggesting it to patients who were in nursing homes or didn't go away. I liked the idea of only having to have it once a year too. Also I have trouble with heartburn and prolia can cause problems. I'm excited to hear you improved maybe I will too

Oh @JanineG I hadnt heard of Reclast? yes I hope its worked too! I get my actual results in a month from the Oncologist but he said they were much improved, so it's good :) 

@melclarity hope the prolia  was the trick. I've had my first Reclast infusion and I'm hoping it has improved things for me too. Once a year instead of every six months. 
JanineG xx

Interesting I just wanted to add as @JanineG mentioned her bone density possibly deteriorated on Arimidex. I was the opposite in that 4yrs Tamoxifen, recurrence, chemo, bone density testing and was diabolical, so it was either Tamoxifen or chemo or both that did it. I havent had bone density issues on Arimidex or Aromasin but I am also on Prolia injections 6 monthly to combat the original problem and its much improved. Who knows...

Hi @angiesg I was on tamoxifen for 8 months then changed to arimidex. I found tamoxifen worse for pain in small joints, though arimidex certainly makes me ache. Like Melclarity I use panadol Osteo. It helps a bit. I came off tamoxifen because it made me feel really foggy mentally. I felt dramatically clearer within three days of stopping it. My bone density has deteriorated on arimidex but maybe it would have anyway. I've been on it for almost two years now. I choose the FBM Anasrozole brand as it gives money back to BCNA and research. Good luck JanineG xo

Hi there - yep a month ago I was swapped from Tamoxifen to Arimidex. My oncologist said "pick a letter...do you like A or L?" I liked A so it was Arimidex. He said it's a "slow burn" so I'm booked in to see him in 2 months to review my progress.

TBH it's not been debilitating...but it's only been early days. I list potential side effects on my phone (headaches, stomach cramps, sore heels, dry cough, dry throat, nausea) and then delete them when they disappear.

So far so good - I'll keep you posted.

Thanks @Romla someone currently going through this right now is @nikkid and I'm sure would gladly pop in with how she is going with the transition.

I was on Tamoxifen for 4yrs from 2011-2015 until I had a recurrence, I had zero side effects on Tamoxifen but was also pre menopause. I had to have chemo after my last diagnosis and then was put on Arimidex, it was a very different story, but I am wondering if it is moreso from the effects of chemo. I have constant achey feet/ankles especially 1st thing in the morning, or after sitting down for a period of time. I manage a bad day with panadol osteo and it does help. I found the side effects a little difficult on Arimidex so my Onc did a trial off it for 6 weeks and it was different, so I am now on Aromasin but it is the same worst luck.

Everyone is different and not everyone has major side effects. xx Melinda

@melclarity maybe able to help with this .