I wish I had found this forum earlier - so much strength out there with all you wonderful women on the same journey. When I was diagnosed I knew nothing about breast cancer. What an unwelcome learning curve we have all gone through. But the positive is that we can share and help others.I had a left nipple sparing mastectomy 6 weeks ago with an immediate implant reconstruction. Fortunately the IDC was slow growing and not big - margins and lymph nodes clear. No chemo or radiation but I am E+ P+ and on Arimidex for the next 5 yrs at least.So far no side effects from Arimidex (only 10 days in) but I would really appreciate any hints and tips to help when they do kick in.When will that happen? Weeks, months??I no longer think I am bullet proof and expect to get my share of the problems that come with this drug.I'm taking a high dose compounding D3 capsule weekly (apparently a few of my bones are a lot older then me!) and B12 injection every couple of months. My GP believes these vitamins plus vit. C should balance out some of the side effects. Also looking at getting a compounding Calcium capsule to help with bone density. Have heard a bit about glucosamine too.So much is taken out of our control in beating this disease. I just feel I want to get a head start in doing what I can to reduce the side effects of Arimidex.Wishing you all the best, may every day be brighter than the last.Jane x

Hi Jane I have been on arimidex for about 10 months and suffer from terrible joint pain. I take panadol osteo, glucosamine, caltrate and vitamin d. I was on tomaxifan for a few months and was quite anxious,and short tempered ( my husband said this) I feel better in myself on the arimidex we are all differnent. I hope you don't get to many side effects

Hi Jane,I concur with Rowdy sorry, Ive been on Arimidex 9 months and I suffer shocking joint pain, it doesnt help I don't think as its coupled with Chemo side effects and my Oncologist doesnt know which is which hmmm....I also have taken Panadol Osteo since last year through Chemo and cannot go a day without it. I also take Vit D daily and Vit C. Unfortunately Chemo, early menopause and Arimidex weakened my bones, I now have Osteoporosis in my spine, so 2 prolia injections a year. Not sure why but I had a recurrence and have to have a mastectomy with Diep flap recon, so no nipple sparing and no implant, I guess they figure get rid of every part of that breast. I also had a small tumor, and clear lymph nodes ER+ only..so am guessing as its a recurrence in 4yrs. Im actually finding the feet/leg pain horrendous and am now at the point of having to stop working for a while 9 months on after chemo. It sucks!!!! Im cancer free but want my life back...Hugs Melinda

thanks so much Rowdy and Melinda. Yep, I figured the joint pain was going to be the killer. I also heard that Tamoxifen caused mood swings, so I guess that's one plus with Arimidex. I'll keep Panadol Osteo in mind.Melinda, I had an early natural menopause so a lot of the expected side effects from Arimidex will be business as usual for me! But it has left me with some osteopenia. My spine is good but I have a reduction in bone density in my left hip. My oncologist did suggest bi annual injections depending on my next bone density scan. It doesn't seem fair does it - to go through so much beating the cancer then having ongoing pain to stay healthy.Sending you both a hug and hope you have a good week. Jane x

Jane,I didnt have any side effects on Tamoxifen for 4yrs that Im aware of, I certainly didnt feel like I do on Arimidex. Joint pain is the only thing I notice though, as in no other side effects. Hot flushes I was getting through Chemo thanks to the early menopause and still do, but not to do with Arimidex. I plan on doing as Im told, BUT am doing heaps of research and if I can get off it in the next few years I will. Doesnt seem fair at all, and interesting how you look at it really, I was never sick or unwell but I had Breast Cancer twice?? and different treatments both times, yet am only unwell due to treatments. Certainly makes you wonder. What a journey!!! If you have to have the injections, theyre ok, I was muscle sore all weekend but been ok after that. They are expensive though if you are under 70uuuugh. Just see how you go. :)

Hi Jane I have been taking Arimidex since February. I have found it better to take it at night and have noticed fewer side effects during the day.regards Jane xx

Arimidex - how to lessen the side effects?

30 Replies

melclarity
Member
9 years ago
Hi Cate,

Here is a little about Magnesium, and its the MAIN supplement my Kinesiologist put me onto and said it is more important than any other supplement you could possibly take. I also take Vit D but have for 10 months.

Magnesium is Involved in Hundreds of Biochemical Reactions in Your Body
Magnesium is a mineral found in the earth, sea, plants, animals and humans.
About 60% of the magnesium in your body is found in bone, while the rest is in muscles, soft tissues and fluids, including blood (1).
In fact, every cell in your body contains it, and needs it to function.
One of magnesium’s main roles is acting as a cofactor or “helper molecule” in the biochemical reactions continuously performed by enzymes.
It is actually involved in more than 600 reactions in your body, including (2):
Energy creation: Helps convert food into energy.
Protein formation: Helps create new proteins from amino acids.
Gene maintenance: Helps create and repair DNA and RNA.
Muscle movements: Is part of the contraction and relaxation of muscles.
Nervous system regulation: Helps regulate neurotransmitters, which send messages throughout your brain and nervous system.
Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body.

To where I was I have improved dramatically in terms of recovery, but the Arimidex is playing havoc so all the natural remedies in the world cannot combat these sorts of medications effectively I dont believe. I'd just sooo love to kick all the pills now...Tamoxifen didnt work for me anyway, as I had a recurrence on it...so who knows! LOL
Melinda x
Cate64
Member
9 years ago
@melclarity, would you mind filling me in on the magnesium & its benefits?? I am really interested in anything that may help me though, unlike you, I do not suffer the side effects of Arimidex you do. But want to be onto anything that will help me in anyway..

Thanks Cate
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
Jane, I'm smiling as my middle name is Jane :) Melinda Jane lol

Yes I think thats part of it warm weather is better seems to help, Arimidex for me seems to cause alot of pain as Im not in as much when I dont take it. I do find the magnesium helps. The other thing I noticed too obviously when you are away, there is NO STRESS. Back into your life and there is alot of it, and I find this all adds to it all. So its working on the things I can change or eliminate to a good balance :) have a great day! Melinda x
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
9 years ago
You might be right with the warm weather Melinda. I will be overseas in cold weather for over a month in December so it will be interesting to see if there is any change for me. Yay, powdered magnesium, perfect :) I appreciate your suggestion, definitely giving it a go. Hope your aches and pains start to ease with the coming summer. take care, Jane x
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
Hopes and Dreams, you know I think the other factor seemed to be warmer climate. I live in Melbourne so it seems to make things worse in terms of pain. I didnt have pain when I was away, and now its back again. My magnesium is in powder form and I drink it lol. My kinesiologist told me the importance of it above everything else. xMelinda
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
9 years ago
Thanks Melclarity - Cook Islands, how wonderful! Yes, I can definitely imagine forgetting Arimidex a bit while if was there too :) I'm really sorry to hear that you are in constant pain. Doesn't seem right that a tiny tablet to keep us safe should cause so much distress.
I do take Vit C for absorption but hadn't thought about Magnesium. I'll get some tomorrow and add it to my morning collection. I'm a terrible tablet taker and have to take them in teaspoons of yoghurt. I'm sure I remember doing something similar with our dog's tablets haha. The sharing of information is another reason this forum is such a blessing x
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
I'm now 9 months on Arimidex and I just got back from the Cook Islands, my first holiday in years. I forgot to take Arimidex a bit. Interesting to me I noticed a dramatic difference, I'm in severe pain all the time and wasn't sure if it was chemo related. Now I know Arimidex Uuuugh. I have bad bone density but been taking vit D 9 months as well. Vit C is important for absorption, but the clincher is actually Magnesium more than all of them.
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
9 years ago
Thanks so much for your feedback Lesley. Glad to hear you are doing well on Arimidex and hope your shoulder surgery is successful. Well, 2 months in and I am also feeling fine so far. I'm back at work full time so keeping active during the day and trying as much as possible to go for a walk several times during the week. My GP thought my side effects would be lessened by the bi-monthly B12 shots I get (I don't make B12 ) plus high dose vitamin D (1 x 20,000 ic capsule pw) but as far as he was concerned the biggest kicker would be regular exercise. His wife is 12 months post mastectomy so I am benefiting from all the research he has done on her behalf. I'm also really conscious of bone density so the walking should have a positive impact there too. Two months is early days I know, but I have to go into this with a positive attitude and hearing that you have minimal side effects after 3 years really helps. Give the glucosamine and calcium a go (my pharmacist recommended Advacal Forte with K2 from BioCeuticals) I take 2 of each a day. Really hope it gives you some relieve from the knee pain. Wishing you all the best, Jane :)
Lesley777
Member
9 years ago
I've been on Arimidex for three years now and fortunately for me don't have too many side effects except for my knees! Hurt like hell when I get up from sitting or walking up and down stairs and makes me feel (and look) very unfit. I walk every day and do a few other exercises. I'm fine when moving so I'll just keep doing that I suppose. I'm about to have shoulder surgery and wonder about the bone strength but so far my scans have shown I'm still within "normal parameters" for bone density so hopefully that will be okay. Interested to read about the glucosamine and caltrate. Might have to start taking that and see if it helps with the knee pain.
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
10 years ago
Hi Julie, so you are on much the same timeframe as me. I did have a few aches in the ankles yesterday but had been standing ironing for a while. They didn't last too long tho. I had an early menopause so have had plenty of experience with the night sweats! Took oestrogen replacement for a few years before BC diagnosis last month. Now this has stopped, the warm nights are back. I seem to have got into a rhythm of pushing the quilt off and pulling it back up 15 mins later without interrupting my sleep to much. I wear a sleeveless PJ top as I find it is my upper chest and arms that get the hottest. On a positive, I am taking this as confirmation that the Arimidex is doing its job and holding back my hormones. Some the other ladies have suggested taking the tablet at night to lessen the day time side effects.
Good luck Julie, hope it starts to settle down soon for you x

Forum Discussion

Arimidex - how to lessen the side effects?

30 Replies

Magnesium is Involved in Hundreds of Biochemical Reactions in Your Body

Recent Discussions

Fibromyalgia and Aromatase Inhibitors

Palbociclib-anti cancer drug effects

Herceptin

pimples on head

1st Chemo reaction !