Switching from Anastrozole (Arimidex) to tamoxifen

HopeandLove

I've been on anastrozole for 6 months and am very unhappy with the joint pain and side effects, which have escalated over the months. I had an e-mail exchange with my MO who suggested I discontinue taking it for a few weeks and then come in to discuss starting a new hormone therapy. She specifically mentioned tamoxifen which surprised me because I am post-menopausal (57 years old). I am obese, too, which maybe factors into why she suggested it since I saw something about a study (maybe from 2010?) about tamoxifen being more effective in obese women than AIs Has anyone here who is post-menopausal switched from an AI to tamoxifen and what was your experience?

I also saw on a thread that some people had less side effects with anastrozole from Teva vs. from Accord. My anastrozole is being supplied by Accord, so I was thinking of asking if I could try a different manufacturer first before switching.

farmerlucy

I hung with Femara for seven months, then I asked to be put on Tamoxifen. At my last appointment my onc convinced me to try another AI since they are a bit more effective. Now I'm on Arimidex. Same joint stuff but now I know the stiffness is temporary because it went away the two months I was on T. I'm on the Teva brand. I take an Aleve and a clairitin daily. I've just resigned myself to it and this time I seem to be doing better. Good luck!

HopeandLove

Thank you for your experience FarmerLucy! This is my first day off anastrozole, so I'm very curious to see how I feel in a week or so. Sometimes I wonder if it's just "old age" and not related to the AI at all. I guess this test will tell me. I'm frightened of going off AIs -- I definitely want to know I've done all I can if I ever had a recurrence.

grammakathy

I was on Arimidex for seven months and developed capilaritis on my right upper and lower leg. After taking a three month vacation from Arimidex (the rash stayed on though), my MO started me on tamoxifen. Like you, I was worried because I felt less protected from a recurrence. I also had terrible insomnia with Arimidex and was barely sleeping. I have a little problem with tamoxifen but nothing like the AI. I have been on Tamoxifen for almost a year and a half now without too many problems. My MO said that the Tamoxifen is better for my bone density. I was just retested and am looking forward to seeing the results to see if that is true. Your mention about doing everything you can to avoid a recurrence hits home. The MO told me at my first appointment that the extra weight I was carrying had hormones that could feed any stray cancer cells. For the first time in my life, I was motivated to lose weight. It took me nine months to lose 50# by avoiding sugar, controlling portions, drinking lots of water, and walking 7500 steps a day. Best wishes Hope for making decisions that are right for you.

HopeandLove

Grammakathy, thank you so much for posting your experience. I'm so glad to know you had a good experience by making the switch to tamoxifen.

Congratulations on the weight loss! Before I started anastrozole, I lost 18 pounds which I've managed to keep off, but I haven't lost any more weight. Obviously I need to work a lot harder in that category. On the plus side I've added 2 miles of walking a day to my previously sendentary life, as well as an aerobics class 2 days a week . I've cleaned up my diet too and follow the mediterranean diet. I'm eating healthy, but my portions are obviously too big. You are an inspiration and I appreciate hearing the changes you've made.

Best wishes.

barbe1958

Holy cow!! If you can walk 2 miles a day you can't be too stiff and sore!

I started taking Tumeric capsules when I started Arimidex and I really believe it's helping. I do take narcotics daily but have for many, many years and didn't need new or worse pain. I haven't found my joint pain to be worse (could it even BE worse?) but don't know if I'm coping well or the Tumeric is working.

My biggest problem is a bladder infection!!!!! I'm on my second round of antibiotics and I hate doing that. I think I waited to long, trying to let my body fight the infection before I went to a doctor and it got dangerously bad. The only new drug was Arimidex (and Tumeric) so I'm blaming the Arimidex. I have to be on it for life so I'm adamant my body "plays nice" with it.

HopeandLove

Thanks Barbe1958 for the information about tumeric capsules. Is there a specific brand you buy or are they all pretty much the same? I'd like to stay on anastrozole or another AI if I can rather than switching to tamoxifen. I'm willing to try supplements that could help me with the aches and pains.

I enjoy walking, but I'm not setting any speed records, LOL. For me its a good way to relieve stress -- I like to go out alone in the early morning just before sunrise. I refer to it as my meditation time, even though I'm not really meditating during it. The aerobics I do are for seniors, but it's enough to get me sweating and my heart rate up. Sometimes I feel sad about how out of shape I am and achy, but I know I'm better off than I was a year ago.

I am so sorry about your bladder infection! I hope this round of antibiotics does the trick and you are well soon. I am sending you warm thoughts and good wishes.

barbe1958

Thanks for the good wishes - I'll take all I can get! My DH just picks up supplements from Walmart, so nothing special. I only use what they recommend as I don't want to upset my stomach or anything. I'm also on cranberry capsules as well! Both are like horse-pills....sigh.

grammakathy

Hope - great job on your walking and exercise. Did you read the article from the AMA out yesterday saying that fasting 13 hours between dinner and breakfast reduces blood sugar measured on the A1c test and lowers BC recurrence? I didn't read a detailed explanation but the news report sounds encouraging. We can do this

barbe1958

Um, don't we ALL fast while we're sleeping at night?

grammakathy

Barbe! Funny! I hope so! It was about not eating for thirteen hours between dinner and breakfast, so no snacks after dinner. Those were eliminated when I went on my weight loss task but it is nice to read that it can make a difference.

barbe1958

Well...I've been fasting overnight for 58 years and am still over weight. I ate salads and yoghurt smoothies with fruit for 2 years and still didn't lose weight. I didn't drink for 7 years at my latest stop and still didn't lose an ounce! So I think it's like breast cancer....a crap shoot!

grammakathy

I agree. I'm in the group that didn't take HRT or smoke and have been healthy my entire life. But that doesn't mean that others who did those things "earned" BC either. I believe that somehow my DNA messed up replicating cells and didn't shut down the errant cancer cells. I'm still going to live my life in the healthiest way possible so I won't personally have any regrets no matter what comes my way in the future.

barbe1958

I must admit, sometimes I eat desert first (if there is any!).

grammakathy

yay - go for it!

Molly50

I am on an anastrozole vacation. My MO said if my SE's resolve on the break he wants to switch me to Tamoxifen. I thought he would switch me to a different AI. How's tamoxifen for you?

barbe1958

I was just taken off Arimidex due to way too much nausea during rads. They're trying to figure out if it's rads or the Arimidex. A break will be nice....

meezers3

I struggled with taking Anastrozole, Teva brand. Went on and off it three times because I could not tolerate the muscle and joint pains. I'm taking a break from hormone therapy and will start taking Tamoxifen pretty soon. Fingers crossed I can tolerate the Tamoxifen.

pupmom

I am 67, diagnosed at 62, and was switched a few months ago from Aromasin to Tamoxifen, due to horrible joint issues and carpal tunnel syndrome. I am actually almost underweight, BMI of 20.4, so the switch was definitely not due to weight.

My MO said that Tamoxifen is fine for post-menopausal women. I am also experiencing a great reduction of SEs under Tamoxifen, so I will stick to that med another 5 years.

hbbae

Thanks for starting this thread. Was on tamoxifen for 5 years, no significant issues, then spent the last 2 years and 7 months on anastrozole - knew almost from the outset that "something wasn't right", but it took a while to make the case to all the docs. My "problem list" became lengthy (after having a relatively short one except for breast cancer/ILC), but what really seemed to get their attention was bone loss coupled with onset of significant dental issues (nobody seems to know if there's much research being done on the effects of AIs on teeth). The latest problem du jour seems to be the onset of some type of rash. BUT - last night I took my last anastrozole pill, and am resuming tamoxifen again later today, for the balance of my second 5 years on meds. I am hopeful that some of the worst of the SEs (like the fatigue) will begin to abate soon, although what if I've been wrong in thinking that all this ick was due to the AI! Anyway, time will tell ... good luck to all!