Questions about Arimidex

ktlearn

I have a few questions about Arimidex. I finish my 25 days of radiation this coming Monday (July 14). I will be getting a five-day boost the first week in August.

My MO doesn't want to wait until after the boost to give me a hormone inhibitor, so I will be starting Arimidex next week.

Here are my questions:

1) What time of day is the best to take it? I have read that it needs to be the same time every day, so I wanted to hear from those of you with experience about what time you prefer.

2) I will be traveling and be out-of-town when I start the medication and for the first couple of weeks. Did anyone experience any IMMEDIATE side effects?

3) What side effects have been common among you, and when did they each present?

Thank you so much!

Karen

BrooksideVT

It was months before I identified any side effects, and they were fine for about a year, then built up more than I liked.  If, after a few months, you have problems, your onc will probably suggest you take a couple of weeks off, as often the side effects disappear when you go back on. 

Some take the pill in the morning, some in the evening.  If you take it on an empty stomach, it will have been absorbed in about two hours.  After a meal, it takes more like five.   (Do please read the full prescribing info about this, as I could remember incorrectly.)  I always took my pill after breakfast, hoping that slowing down its absorption would minimize side effects.

Annie54

Much the same with me.....I was fine for the first 4 or 5 months on Arimidex and then the SE's kicked in. They included trigger fingers, achiness and stiffness, mental fog and chronic fatigue. I lucked out and have no joint pain which I understand many women experience. I've increased my daily exercise to combat the SEs but so far it hasn't really helped much. That said, I thank my lucky stars that I have Arimidex as a line of defense against reoccurrence. My onc says I'll take it for 2 years and then be switched to Tamoxifen which is easier on the bones - even though I'm post menopausal. So I grin and bear the physical and mental challenges for now knowing its not forever!

Annie