Add me to the Arimidex Family

mcgis

The most recent post is over 170 pages. Thought I could start a new one if you all don't mind?  Thanks in advance for any suggestions, advice...!!

My oncologist switched me from Tamoxifen to Arimidex (generic: Anastrozole) today since chemo put me through early menopause (I'm 45). What can/might I expect? Tamoxifen had uterine cancer and blood clot side effects. And it was a 10 year prescription.  Arimedex doesn't and it's a 5 year prescription. I heard maybe joint pain?? He said if I have issues he might have to try something different. What about my nails? Hair? Just want to be prepared. I noticed on Tamoxifen I was getting a skin rash around my rib cage for a few weeks. I kept taking it and my body finally adjusted. Are there any side effects on Arimidex that might react the same in that our bodies just have to adjust?

What are your experiences?

mcgis

anyone else want to share their experience on Arimidex? 

Holeinone

hi mcgis, 

I started on Feb. 11. I took the generic for the first 6 weeks and then switched to the brand name Arimidex. You can buy that from the manufacture for $30 a month. Online, they mail it to you.

My first 2-3 weeks, I had bad hip pain. That has gotten better, but occasionally it flares. I have mild bone pain, on & off. Night sweats are common for me..

Being dx with stage 3 with extranodal extension, I am glad we have these meds available to us. I knew from the get go, that I most likely would not love his med, but get used to it & accept the SE...

mcgis

my night sweats have subsided but i think it's making me gain weight. anyone else gaining weight on it?

Spookiesmom

Was on it for a little longer than a year. My MO said 10 years. I was really witchey for a few days, got trigger thumb cortisone shot took care of that. Effexor for the hot flashes, I was good. Until this past April. 

Joint pain like I never imagined was possible.  Shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles, wrist, jaws, spine(a future surgery site).  Bloating, gas, and a nasty cough. 

Took a PCP approved vacation from the devil pill. Most cleared up within days. Started again June 1. It all came back with a vengeance. 

Starting arominsin Tues. 

ruthbru

I did 5 years of Arimidex with few problems. I was a little hot flashy & achy at first but all that leveled out after about 6 months. My suggestions would be to dress in layers and get some fans if you feel hot and to exercise & keep active, which helps you in every way including joint pain. My other advice is to take it just like you would any other pill....swallow it, forget it, get on with your day.

Annie54

I've been on Anastrozole since last November. No SE's for the first 4 to 5 months so I thought I was in the clear....but started having them after that. Primarily stiffness and muscle pain, mind fog and fatigue - with a few hot flashes thrown in. If I sit for any length of time I have difficulty getting up and moving at first like I'm 100 years old! I do exercize every day (walk 3 miles) but that doesn't seem to help much with the stiffness. Suppose I'll throw some yoga and pilates in to see if that helps at all. I have not had any joint pain I'm happy to say. The mind fog is having absolutely NO short term memory. I do a lot of math and analysis in my work and have been fine with that....but ask me what I did last week, yesterday or even 2 hours ago and I really have to ponder. Oh yea - and trigger fingers. My middle and index fingers on both hands "catch" when I try to open my hand. Its not painful but annoying. By 5:00 pm most days I'm exhausted. Not sure if its physical or mental fatigue but I just want to go to bed and sleep.

I also had all of these SE's during chemo but they went away quickly once that was over. I started the AI after I finished radiation and was fine until about 5 months in - so I'm blaming Anastrozole now. My hope is that in time my body will adjust and the SE's will lessen. My onc has told me I'll take the AI for two years (only 16 months to go!) which is the most likely time frame for re-occurrance for my type of BC. Fortunately all my docs tell me I will most likely do very well and live to a ripe old age - so I'm hanging on to that thought! After that I'll be switched to Tamoxifin. I'm 8 years past menopause so I was surprised by this - but he said Tamoxifin is not as hard on your bones and body. Either way and with all the SE's....I'm thankful for having another line of defense against the beast - so I gratefully take my little white pill every day ...and will as long as they let me!

Annie

Spookiesmom

Oh, I'll keep on trying, I can't live like I was with that pain. Sure don't want the beast back! Tamoxifen has clot risks, I have a history there. But am on Coumadin,pharmacist friend said I should be ok. 

auroaya200882

mcgis

Everyone reacts different to the Arimidex in terms of se's. I have the stiffness and the hot flashes but it's tolerable under control with Cymbalta (anti-depressant) and Risperidol (mood stabilizer). The soreness is also present but altogether I rather have the se's than get the bc back. I was on Tamoxifen for 3 years and had progression while on it. My doctor will switch me to another Al if Arimedex stops working. Like somebody else said, give a try and do not think of the se's unless they become impossible to bear. Hope you get lucky and don't get too many se's and keep bc at bay.

Good Luck!

Aurora

aviva5675

Ive been on since Sept and mostly no SE.  Hot flashes started up again for me as soon as I stopped the hrt, when I was dx last summer.  Im on effexor now trying to control them. Hopefully I wont start the Arimidex se any time.