Arimidex and Stomach Pain

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irish22
irish22 Member Posts: 334
edited April 2018 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY
Arimidex and Stomach Pain
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  • irish22
    irish22 Member Posts: 334
    edited December 2011

    I tried to browse back awhile as not to double post a topic but couldn't find much. I started Arimidex a little over two weeks ago and since have had severe stomach cramping and acid reflux. It's so bad at night I dream that people are ripping my insides out. I'm trying to give myself a little bit to adjust to the meds but I'm wondering if the stomach pain is a common side effect of Arimidex or if maybe I've got something else going on. I'm attributing it to the med because since starting it I have also had pain in my lower back and breast (where cancer is) and some mild headaches so another side effect would make sense.

    Hoping someone who's been on this or knows someone that's been on this can offer some insight. Also if you've taken this do the side effect last for the length you're taking the meds or do they taper off once your body adjusts? Much appreciated.

     Happy New Year to Everyone!

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited December 2011

    Hi Irish, I had very bad stomach cramps while on Arimidex as well as reflux but after the reflux was under control, that se dissapated. Unfortunately for me, it turned out I was allergic to it and was changed to Femara. For some people the se's get better or disappear once the body adjusts to the med but for others they can get worse. The only way to tell is to keep taking it. Good luck!



    Love n hugs. Chrissy

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  • irish22
    irish22 Member Posts: 334
    edited December 2011

    Thanks Chrissy, I'm relieved that this seems to be a side effect. The pain has been intense and we all know where our minds wonder when pain pops up.

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  • rkt
    rkt Member Posts: 793
    edited January 2012

    Hi, Irish22,

    Arimidex was first hormonal treatment I was put on with stage iv diagnosis.  They also wanted me to take calcium and vitamin D.  First calcium/vitamin D supplement provided calcium as calcium carbonate - I had really bad stomach cramps, bad gas pains.  I switched to a supplement that supplied the calcium in the form of calcium citrate - stomach cramps and gas pains went away.  have you recently added calcium/vitamin D to your meds? 

    Becky

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  • bobkat
    bobkat Member Posts: 304
    edited January 2012

    Hi Irish22,

    I just started Arimidex (actually the generic form Anastrozole) and have had stomach issues, slight pain, bloating, a little bit of nausea and stomach gurlgling.  I too also think something else is going on but reading Becky's post I am going to change the calcium carbonate to the calcium citrate.  I think someone else mentioned this before on the board, just don't know where.  My onc prescribed 2000mg calcium and 800mg Vitamin D daily.  Hopefully that will work, other than the stomach problems I have had no other side effects from the Anastrozole. Are you taking Calcium and Vitamin D also?

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  • usafmom
    usafmom Member Posts: 778
    edited January 2012

    I started arimidex back in may of 2008 and I had severe stomach problems on it..so much that we ended up increasing my nexium. I've had stomach ulcers since I was a teenager. I just got to stop the arimidex two weeks ago. I also had the joint pain in my knees and back when I first started but that did get better after six months like Chrissy mentioned or maybe I just got used to it. I did a lot of research on arimidex vs tamoxifen. For my particular original DX and it was the better med for me.



    I really hope you can find some relief from the SE. It is a great medication.

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  • irish22
    irish22 Member Posts: 334
    edited January 2012

    Thanks for replies, have lurked my thread just too lazy to post latley. Lot's of headaches since I started this med but my stomach seems to be doing a little better. I even ate 3 times yesterday! At least I got a jump start on my new years weight loss. I did switch to calcium citrate and that seems to have helped a little, been taking med with a little baking soda water to buffer the acid too. Going to talk to onc about doing something about the headaches though, this is getting old fast.

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  • suzanna444
    suzanna444 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2012

    I've been on Arimidex for 35 days- have had 3 episodes of severe stomach pain.  When I first began the drug, it felt like huge hunger pains, and I found myself constantly trying to fill it (weight gain?  Auugggggg).  Then my stomach and I progressed to a gut wrenching, double over in pain relationship.  I'm hoping this too will pass along with other side effects that have faded away (the  sporadic feeling of pins and needles everywhere, a strange but intense burning pain in my breast)  Am I delusional, or will persistance pay off????  Has anyone else experienced the stomach pain and moved past it?

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  • suzanna444
    suzanna444 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2012

    FYI, the severe stomach pains did go away.  Whew.  It also helped to have my onc give permission to stop it for a couple of weeks if necessary.  I didn't need to, but it sure helped my mental state to know I could. 

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  • kaycancer
    kaycancer Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2012

    i have been on arimidex for around 4 months i have acid reflex joint and bone pain alot in my lower back and i get headaches i exercise and use my pain medicine my doctort told me to try omega 3 fish oil  for the joint and bone pain side effects i havent tried it yet

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  • Free2Be
    Free2Be Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2018

    I hope I am posting in the right place. I've been on Arimidex for a few months and just had a horrible stomach attack again last night. This is the second time it's happened and it's pretty bad. I was encouraged to see others post similar reactions here. I'll be calling my doctors tomorrow to see what we can do to help with this. I've never had any issues with my stomach so I'm feeling pretty certain it's the medication.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2018

    Hi there Free2Be,

    Welcome to the community forums.

    May we suggest that you check out and post your experience of Arimidex in the thread below where many members are discussing this topic:

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

    Hugs

    Heart

    The Mods.

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  • Free2Be
    Free2Be Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2018

    Thank you! I wondered why the posts were so old, lol. They were still very helpful though

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