Forum Discussion
Arimidex
I have been reading through the blogs about Arimidex and found them very interesting. I have been on Arimidex for 6 months and up until 4 weeks ago, "side affects free" - until now that is.
I now have what appears to be the usual aches and pains in the legs and numbness in the hands, tiredness and headaches, so I guess I didn't escape at all I am just like all my other Arimidex sisters.
I will have to mention this to my oc next visit, but as so many others have said before at least I am here reading the experiences of others. It does help.
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I am 5 years post surgery (praise God) but I too am worried about stopping Arimidex. I also take Caltrate+D. I have had sore joints for quite a while now but just put it down to old age! (I am 62). I have recently developed Carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands and this wakes me at night. It was only this morning that my sister told me her friend had the same problem and changed medication but I have since read that most of the medications can do the same thing. Whilst I am a very grateful survivor I am getting tired of being overweight and having joint pain.Off to see the hand surgeon next week for the Carpal tunnel and back to the Oncologist next month for review of meds. Good luck to everyone. We have so much living to do.
I took Arimidex for 5 months, and by the end of this time the pain was so great in my joints that I would just sit and cry. The onc. did not listen; however, the radiation oncologist did listen, and put me on Femara, after a one month break. The difference was amazing - no pain. I have been on Femara now for six months, still good. However, I know of women who started on Femara, had a lot of painful side-effects and switched to Arimidex, and are better now. I think we just put up with these things sometimes, but it does seem worthwhile to switch from one to the other if you are having problems. I also take flax-seed oil capsules, the fish oil capsules didnt agree with me. Good luck to each and every one of you.
I took Arimidex for 5 months, and by the end of this time the pain was so great in my joints that I would just sit and cry. The onc. did not listen; however, the radiation oncologist did listen, and put me on Femara, after a one month break. The difference was amazing - no pain. I have been on Femara now for six months, still good. However, I know of women who started on Femara, had a lot of painful side-effects and switched to Arimidex, and are better now. I think we just put up with these things sometimes, but it does seem worthwhile to switch from one to the other if you are having problems. I also take flax-seed oil capsules, the fish oil capsules didnt agree with me. Good luck to each and every one of you.
My Oncologist told me that they were the best for the braca 2 gene that I carry. It is 12 years since my Cancer diagnosis. I like to think that they are helping. Most of my Relations developed Cancer in the other breast in 5 years and lost their lives. I try to walk every day and try to eat healthily. I like to put my trust in this medication beause I want to do all I can to manage this insidious disease. I have too much living to do.
thanks Ruth. So good to hear from you. Yes after 6yrs am way tired of being overweight and moody.... etc.
Have had enough of the hot flushes and disturbed sleep... gues I am one of the guinea pigs.. I certainly wonder how much benefit is there really???
Hi Linda, I have been on Arimidex for 7 years now. I find it a struggle to lose weight as I also have taken high doses of prednizone for asthma and chronic urticuria. I take fish oil for my joints and still have occasional hot flushes. I do not to stop taking arimidex as I feel I have a better chance of the cance not returning.
- Hi Maria, I just blogged on another site about the benefits of fish oil when taking femara or arimidex. I had no side effects for the first few months, and then like everyone else copped them. I then started the fish oil, and did get some relief, but didn't realise how good the fish oil was, till I needed to go off it for a month due to more surgery. Then my joints,especially knees and ankles and hips were so bad that every movement created a groan from me. I have just added Lyprinol from Blackmore's as well, and feel this is also lessening my side effects, though it is still early days with this new drug. It is from the NZ green lipped mussel. I am still getting the trigger fingers, and it is much worse on my right hand. In the mornings I can't close my fingers due to tightness and pain, but this improves once I'm up and about. Opening the bathroom door is hard as it is a knob and my finger don't want to bend very early. My oncologist assures me that this is only joint pain, and that my joints are not being damaged, like what would happen with arthritis. I hope he is right, as it feels like the joints are being damaged. He says that 99.9% of us will lose all this pain once we go off these drugs. I will look forward to that time, some 5 to 9 years away. Love Chris xx
Hi girls, I too, want to discuss the arimidex issue. I have now been on it for 5 yrs, after diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma in 2005. The concensus out there is to keep you on it for 5 yrs.
Ok , side effects not too bad... but am tired of being overweight and moody at times. Joints stiff at times. Had hot flashes and at times fine trembling in my fingers.
True, there are certainly loads of side effects... is it worth staying on??
Hi girls, I too, want to discuss the arimidex issue. I have now been on it for 5 yrs, after diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma in 2005. The concensus out there is to keep you on it for 5 yrs.
Ok , side effects not too bad... but am tired of being overweight and moody at times. Joints stiff at times. Had hot flashes and at times fine trembling in my fingers.
True, there are certainly loads of side effects... is it worth staying on??
Hi girls, I too, want to discuss the arimidex issue. I have now been on it for 5 yrs, after diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma in 2005. The concensus out there is to keep you on it for 5 yrs.
Ok , side effects not too bad... but am tired of being overweight and moody at times. Joints stiff at times. Had hot flashes and at times fine trembling in my fingers.
True, there are certainly loads of side effects... is it worth staying on??
