Arimidex question

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Rachel1
Rachel1 Member Posts: 363
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I know there is a hormonal board, but I need my stage iii ladies to advise me because I know so many of you are also on hormonals

. I just started arimidex after two almost 2.5 yrs. on tamoxifen.  Here's my stats -- before my dx. I was around 123 lbs. During chemo I went down to 100 lbs. When I finished rads I was around 111 lbs. (I'm a small person -- 5'3" and small boned).  I had diep surgery one year ago and while I walk a lot, I still don't do a lot of abdominal exercise. It feels horrible with a hip to hip incision/scar! I know I've gained some weight on tamoxifen (going up to 120-123), but after 10 days on arimidex I've gone up another 3 pounds. I should mention that I've also had an oomph two years ago February.

My thighs feel huge, I've got big love handles & even my diep boobs feel bloated. Help!!!! I can't stay on this and keep blowing up. Q.1. Why does arimidex cause weight gain? 

Q.2. Is weight gain a given? Have any of you ladies not gained weight?

Q.3. How do you combat this?

I feel like this dx has taken enough away from me. Now I have to get chubby too!! And, I haven't even mentioned the thinning hair, sleeplessness, dryness and lack of sex drive. I'm exhausted and can't sleep -- really? What the heck is that about.

Please your advise is so needed. 

Rachel

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited November 2012

    Hi Rachel, I am on femara, so that may account for the difference, I really don't know, but so far I have not had weight issues.

    I went into chemopause about 16 months ago, had an ooph this past April and started femara at the same time. I had some sleep issues in the beginning, but that has faded. I also have joint pain and various other annoyances, but not a weight issue (thankfully). I am thinking you should first look to see if it might be something other than the pills, like thyroid or sugar issues.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited November 2012

    Sorry you are having so many issues with arimidex.  I don't know if I'm any help to you because I was on arimidex but only did it for maybe 6 mths and didn't have any weight gain.  I had terrible joint pain so I was switched to aromasin which is much, much better and easier on me.  If you think you can't do it ask if you can try something else.  My dr was ok and said lets find something you can tolerate, the main thing is you take something. 

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