For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing

dwill

B123, I had severe leg pain from arimidex/anastrozole. It  was mainly lower leg pain from my knees down.  I hurt so bad some days I could barely walk or sleep.  My bone densiity test showed I had ostepenia, too.  Finally, after a year taking Arimidex, my MO decided that the SE.s were too great and change me over to Aromasin.   So far--after 10 days-- I've only getting the severe fatigue.

TwoHobbies

Bandwoman I had some GI issues when I was on tamoxifen that started 3 months after I started taking it.  It did go away after about two months.  I think mine was related to the tamoxifen, so perhaps your problem will resolve?

Gailani, first of all - hugs.  I am also 53.  Have you talked to your MO about the pain and depression?  I find my MO very responsive to my SEs and we try different things.  Its me that's resistant sometimes but I am learning.  So I have the awful foot pain and my legs ache too.  I see you were a crossfitter so I know you are tough.  I've seen the videos and it almost made me cry that I would never be able to do anything like that after chemo.  I could not even walk around the block.  Well I'm still scared to death of cross fit but my experience has been that I will hurt whether I exercise or not so I exercise anyway.  I started slow and added.  Some days I might do 15 or 30 minute walks and its not as bad as if I do an hour a day or do some running.  Those days I take two aspirin and a gabapentin before bed and snuggle up with my heating pad and that works pretty good. I also got a new pair of running shoes and that has helped some too as I think I tend to keep my old worn shoes too long.   As for weight, I try to do low carb/Paleo as much as possible and so far, its working.  For me, throwing myself into (can also be read "obsessing") about exercise and diet has actually helped my mood.  All that being said, if the depression continues, don't tolerate that.  Switch meds, get some meds, or see a therapist, but talk to your MO. Last appointment I reported I'm having horrible hot flashes and a little more depression.  I told my MO and she said we can try Effexor for both.   Again, I was reluctant, but she has it in my notes and I can call any day and get my script. 

aviva5675

I have a bit of pain and stiffness but not bad.  I do have hot flashes and trouble sleeping. Take effexor which works a bit, and am starting to get some acupuncture.  My onc was all over the idea when I saw him for regular check up on Monday. Wrote me an order to get a referral, so hopefully insurance will cover it.  Wish the effexor worked a bit better tho, or something- to help sleep.

PontiacPeggy

Good afternoon, Ladies!  I have yet to start arimidex - probably mid to late October.  I do have a question.  I'm 69 and went through menopause 20+ years ago.  Is anyone my age around here?  Did you experience hot flashes?  Does age seem to matter for the SEs?  I realize that not everyone has problems but am trying to be prepared.  Thank you.!

Spookiesmom

I went through meno and never knew it. Started the pill, and found out what everyone had been talking about! Your body still produces estrogen. I only had one ovary left but your adrenal glands make it too. 

Invest in some fans, lots of paper towels, ice bags. 

Do tell your MO if the flashes are really bothersome. I was on low dose Effexor for a while, it helped. 

PontiacPeggy

Spookiesmom.  I also sailed thru meno with no problems (it was nice to be warm!).  I'll keep in mind to contact my MO if I run into challenges.  Thanks!

Redheaded1

Thanks Peg----

Bandwoman--I too am sensitive to meds, have a lot of drug allergies, and am hypothyroid.  that's the enxt issue we are tackling.  We've been trying to get mine regulated (historically hypo) but now I have too much. (Found at the same time as my breast cancer) 

 So once MRI is over, we schedule a biopsy for a nodule....

Jo6202

PontiacPeggy,

I am in your neighborhood age wise and went through menopause at 38. Yes, the hot flashes are back and a little testy sometimes but not quite as bad as when I was younger.  Have been on Anastrazole (sp?) for eight months now and seem to be having less hot flashes but more stiffness and joint pains.

PontiacPeggy

Thanks, Jo6202.  Hard to know what to expect since each of us is different.  Who'd think that we'd be blessed with hot flashes twice?  Sorry about the stiffness and joint pain.

bandwoman1234

Thanks Twohobbies. I think I am getting somewhat better. Now it is only after eating my evening meal that I have issues. I am glad your body eventually adapted to Tamoxifin. Did you suspect it was that or did you do like me and started in with blood work and all of that to start ruling things out? Just curious.

 Bandwoman

bandwoman1234

Red,

I see an alternative doctor who deals with my thyroid. I have fibromyalgia. That is the main reason I sought out someone other than the traditional route. I am on natural thyroid meds and I have to constantly have blood levels checked because they are always changing. I have a ton of food sensitivities and found out I am highly intolerant to gluten, chlorine and fluoride as well. So having problems with meds just becomes very complicated with a bc dx. I too have quite a large thyroid nodule and my endocrinologist suggested we wait for six months which will be Dec. and do another ultrasound to see if it has shrunk. I hope everything goes well for you on Friday. It makes it difficult to be dealing with more than one thing at a time.

Bandwoman

lago

PontiacPeggy I'm not in your age group but I don't think there is really an answer. I went through chemopause at age 49 (almost 50) I had some night flashes (not real sweaty though) during chemo but my sister not doing chemo was having a tougher time with hot flashes. Now first Anastrozole and now Exemestane I find I get them at night, again not even as bad as on chemo, only when I eat lots of spicy food. 

So you may get them but maybe not as intense or it might be something like wine, spicy or heat that brings them on.

B123

sounds like a good switch dwill! Seems that is working for most. I also have been getting frequent headaches.. Not sure if that's another SE from arimidex? I think I need a change..,

PontiacPeggy

That's interesting, Lago.  Thanks.  I have no problem with hot flashes since I love to be warm.  But to go to night sweats or something like that would not be cool.  One would think that at nearly 70 it would all be behind me  And I'm not giving up my wine!!!

Laurais50

Hey ladies I get the hot flashes too. I told my onc about them and he told me that it's good, He said that the pills, chemo, or whatever we are taking or doing is working.  To be worried if we didn't get them. I go see him on Friday want to ask him if there is something I can do or take that will help, but at the same time as long as I feel those hot flashes, then it gives me some kind of hope.

PontiacPeggy

Laurais50 - that's an interesting take on the hot flashes.  If I have them, I'll keep it in mind.  Thanks!

OneLump

Have been on Arimidex now for over a month.  Not doing too badly.  Nausea has pretty much gone away and still really no hot flashes to speak of.  I did have a random stinging sensation in my leg, much like an insect bite.  There was no mark and a day later a bruise appeared.  Don't know if that is related to the medication or not, but I am keeping my eye open to all new things.  I've never had a stinging sensation and then a bruise show up before.  I have fatigue, but I believe that is related to my radiation therapy.  All in all I cannot complain...so far.  May you all be healthy and happy.

PontiacPeggy

OneLump, my MO said I was not to take my arimidex until after I had finished my rads because they sort of cancel each other out.  Hope the bruise is just something random.  Glad it seems to be working well for you.

checkers

I've been on anastrozole for six months now ans am also having sleep issues. I'm falling asleep on the couch, go up to bed and toss & turn for 1 1/2 before finally falling asleep and then I wake up every couple of hours for the rest of the night. I switched my anastrozole from evening to morning but it didn't make a difference. Thought it might be the effexor but was told that it should just make me sleepy. My NP said to try Tylenol PM or Benadryl but I have found since chemo, they give me horrendous dreams! I think it's the Diphenhydramine HC in it.  About a month or so ago I also started experiencing the sore feet.  I get up in the morning and it feels like I've been on my feet for the past 8 hours instead of being in bed.

Golden01: wine definitely gives me hot flashes but it also did before I started anastrozole. 

proudtospin

my feet hurt like Arnold has been crunching my poor toes!  my trainer suggested massaging the toes. Dang but it helps so now I cream and massage my feet,helps 

OneLump

I will email my MO right now.  Thanks Peggy.

PontiacPeggy

OneLump, perhaps your MO has a different philosophy than mine.  As we can tell from the various forums, there's no one size fits all for anything related to breast cancer.  But I would like to know what he has to say.  

aviva5675

were are all different, but I think the Dr being happy you have hot flashes isnt right. Yes of course we want our meds to work. But does having a se prove it is working? I hope he then went on to figure out how to help you get rid of them- not to make the medicine not work but how to make you comfortable while you are having to take it.

ruthbru

I never got that line of reasoning either. I mean, when you are pregnant, how bad your morning sickness is has no bearing on healthy your baby will be. Different people's bodies just react differently to hormone related swings.

PontiacPeggy

Very true, Ruth!

lago

Checkers I was doing the same thing on Anastrozole. I found a sleep mask helped and I had to go to bed as soon as I was tired. No falling asleep on the couch. I made sure my face washed and teeth brushed well before I started to get sleepy. Eventually it got so bad that I switched to Exemestane. One in a while I will use Melatonin but much much better.

Ruth I think the theory is if you are having SE then you know it's doing it's job. Granted if you don't have SE that doesn't mean it isn't. You just don't have the RSVP from your body.

doxie

lago,   Ha! Ha!  This is one time I'd prefer no RSVP.

Golden01

I'm in the no RSVP  category since switching to Arimidex in July. Hot flashes that I'd on Tamoxifen are mostly gone. I've been worried the new medicine isn't there. I'm going to think of it just as showing up! Think I'll go take my pill right now. 

Anyone have bleeding or spotting if you miss a pill. I'm still dealing with some Tamoxifen and uterine issues (had hysteroscopy/D&C three weeks ago). Thought all was done from that procedure and then started spotting again this week. It was a day that I forgot to take the Arimidex in the morning but took it after work. I see the GYN/Onc on Monday so will find out then if it's just from the work he did last month. 

Blownaway

How is the decision made as to which drug the onco tries on you first. I am way past menopause (57), plus had a complete hysterectomy. I have osteoporsis, although I was given a two year break from treating it because the meds had stopped improving my bone density and I wasn't showing more bone loss. Two years went by and I should have had a bone scan after the mammo that found my cancer but that got lost in the shuffle.

Redheaded1

Bandwoman---You must be my sister from another mother-----I too have Fibro, and am allergic to chlorine.  I am working on the Paleo diet, but ridding myself of gluten is the biggest issue.  Doing good on other fronts.  I have a ton of drug allergies as well.

 

Blownaway---My Onc made his decision on the basis of my menopause state first ( I am pretty sure) then because his research led him to believe that AI drugs are slightly more effective.   I would have preferred the Tamoxifen because of the bone side effects, but he is so darn good, I am giving him a shot.  So far so good.  I had just had a bone dexa as part of my physical when they found the mass in my breast, so he says another one in a year.  Taking Calcuium daily and Vit d3 daily and walking for me bones plus some upper body strength stuff with small hand weights.