Arimidex Woes
Hi,
I was prescribed Arimidex and read as much as I could about it before swallowing that first pill 5 weeks ago. The first 2 days were fine and then the hot flushes hit me like a sauna on steroids...
Forum Discussion
Hi San-Dee,
If the side effects don't settle why not ask your doctor if you can switch to tamoxifen. Tamoxifen does work almost as well as aromotase-inhibitors in preventing recurrence in post-menopausal women.
Chemo put me into menopause three and half years ago at the age of 46. I am now 50 and I have been taking tamoxifen for those 3.5 years with no major side-effects. I had mild hot flushes to begin with but they have faded away and maybe my hair is a little thinner than it used to be but that's about it.
My oncologist has suggested switching to an aromotase inhibitor as I am post menopausal but I have been reluctant because I have read so many posts about the horrible side effects. My oncologist is okay with my decision to stay with tamoxifen.
Of course tamoxifen is not perfect either. Some people get unpleasant side effects with it too and there is a slightly increased risk of uterine and endometrial cancer. But if the arimidex is making your life miserable it might be worth a try. Good luck. I hope things improve for you.