Forum Discussion

Cblandford's avatar
11 years ago

First Post

I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in March & had a lumpectomy & 4 sentinal nodes removed. It was early detection & the tumour was quite small. They got clear margins and the nodes were also clear, so the cancer had not spread, thank goodness. I have just finished 3 weeks of daily radiation this week, and start on Arimidex (Anastrozole) next week (for 5 years). I plan to return to full time work in 3 weeks time.The possible side effects are a little scary and I would love to hear of others experiences and any tips for combating them. Thanks in advance xx

5 Replies

  • Thank you Maureen & Jane, really appreciate your comments. Love Carol xx

  • Hi, and welcome to the online network, hopefully you'll find this site a great source of information and support from others who have been on the journey no-one wants to take:-)

    I've only just switched from Tamoxifen to Arimidex so can't really tell you much yet about the effects of the Arimidex for me, but I also have borderline osteoporosis, which was picked up in a bone density scan after I'd finished all my treatment, so am also having a bone thickening drug (alongside my Vitamin D tablet) called Allendrobell, as Arimidex can cause bone loss. As my tumours were strongly hormone-driven, using either Tamoxifen or Arimidex is a no-brainer in terms of increased survival, and luckily for many of the effects there is usually a remedy - just make sure if you do get any side effects that you chat with your doctor, as they can usually help. In the meantime, hope it all goes well for you and that your return to work is a smooth one. Best wishes, Jane xx 

  • Hi, I have just started Arimidex - 4 weeks ago - following chemo and radiotherapy.  I must admit I laughed when I read some of the side effects as they looked like the side effects from my previous treatments and I thought how will I know what is giving me what!  On the whole though nothing too bad has happened. 

    I am sleeping like a baby which started during radiation so that is ok.  I was very fatigued during the first two weeks but that has settled down and may have been the cumulative effect of the treatment overall.

    I have put on weight and I do think that is the arimidex.  I will need to watch what I eat and exercise more. 

    I have become a little constipated as well.  More pears and apples will hopefully sort that out with the extra exercise.

    I have been working through most of the treatment but I have work from home days which helps me manage my fatigue levels but I like going to work and they have been very supportive.  It is nice to have something else to do and think about.

    I also take vitamin D daily as my bone density scan showed I was in the low end of normal and arimidex can effect bone health.

    I hope that helps.  Good luck with the medication and don't worry too much about what could happen.  I just try to take each day as it comes and deal with the issues as they arise but as you can see, so far so good.  Maureen

  • Hi, I have just started Arimidex - 4 weeks ago - following chemo and radiotherapy.  I must admit I laughed when I read some of the side effects as they looked like the side effects from my previous treatments and I thought how will I know what is giving me what!  On the whole though nothing too bad has happened. 

    I am sleeping like a baby which started during radiation so that is ok.  I was very fatigued during the first two weeks but that has settled down and may have been the cumulative effect of the treatment overall.

    I have put on weight and I do think that is the arimidex.  I will need to watch what I eat and exercise more. 

    I have become a little constipated as well.  More pears and apples will hopefully sort that out with the extra exercise.

    I have been working through most of the treatment but I have work from home days which helps me manage my fatigue levels but I like going to work and they have been very supportive.  It is nice to have something else to do and think about.

    I also take vitamin D daily as my bone density scan showed I was in the low end of normal and arimidex can effect bone health.

    I hope that helps.  Good luck with the medication and don't worry too much about what could happen.  I just try to take each day as it comes and deal with the issues as they arise but as you can see, so far so good.  Maureen

  • Hi, I have just started Arimidex - 4 weeks ago - following chemo and radiotherapy.  I must admit I laughed when I read some of the side effects as they looked like the side effects from my previous treatments and I thought how will I know what is giving me what!  On the whole though nothing too bad has happened. 

    I am sleeping like a baby which started during radiation so that is ok.  I was very fatigued during the first two weeks but that has settled down and may have been the cumulative effect of the treatment overall.

    I have put on weight and I do think that is the arimidex.  I will need to watch what I eat and exercise more. 

    I have become a little constipated as well.  More pears and apples will hopefully sort that out with the extra exercise.

    I have been working through most of the treatment but I have work from home days which helps me manage my fatigue levels but I like going to work and they have been very supportive.  It is nice to have something else to do and think about.

    I also take vitamin D daily as my bone density scan showed I was in the low end of normal and arimidex can effect bone health.

    I hope that helps.  Good luck with the medication and don't worry too much about what could happen.  I just try to take each day as it comes and deal with the issues as they arise but as you can see, so far so good.  Maureen