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

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  • Bren58
    Bren58 Member Posts: 1,048
    edited November 2013


    Anybody have ringing in the ears with this crazy drug? It started about a month after I started the drug. I have tried to rule out other causes, and it took me a while to even think about the possible link to Arimidex.

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  • Jazzygirl
    Jazzygirl Member Posts: 12,533
    edited November 2013


    Bren- I have ringing in my ears from time to time but think it has more to do with spikes in high BP than the meds. I had the ringing before the AIs, but you should investigate further whether this is a known SE (or if you may have elevated BP too).

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited November 2013


    Bren linky

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  • Bren58
    Bren58 Member Posts: 1,048
    edited November 2013


    Thanks for the link lago. wow that is a small percentage that have ringing in the ears with Arimidex, but it figures I would fall into that small percentage once again. Seems to be how my relationship is with all things related to this disease.

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited November 2013


    Yeah well I have a little tinnitus from time to time now. I just assumed it was from the ESD… as well as my osteoporosis and the fact that my feet get even more sore each year, my receding hair line etc. I think I might rename to FESD. I'm sure you can guess what the "F" stands for. Granted I know my SE are minor compared to most but I'm still really pissed about the osteoporosis.

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited November 2013


    No ear ringing here but I did have some hearing loss on Tamoxifen due to excess fluid. This seems to have cleared up with Anastrozole - or it could be the Clariton I take from time to time to help with the bone ache?


    The morning headaches and achey hips seem a bit better these last few days but I think I've developed another side effect.


    I've been taking this drug for almost 6 weeks now and my hair is falling out like crazy!


    I didn't see it on the list of side effects but I'll have to get out my magnifying glass and check more thoroughly.


    Anyone else experiencing hair loss? Is it just thinning or loss like on chemo?


    I sure hope not!


    Marie

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  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited November 2013

    Hairloss is indeed an se and in some cases quite severe - time to get out the magnifying glass.Shocked

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  • Bren58
    Bren58 Member Posts: 1,048
    edited November 2013


    It sounds like the consensus is that the ESD's really do S, and more than just estrogen!


    I wish my tinnitus was occasional, but unfortunately it is all the time. It is really annoying and almost as bad as it was on the Carbo. It is now starting to interfere with sleeping.


    lago, I would be upset about the osteoporosis too! I wish there was another way to cut our risk rather than these drugs that cause so many SE's.

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  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited November 2013

    Yep.  It seems 4% experience thinning, and I just happen to be one of the ever-so-lucky shedders.  I was really shedding the first few months.  It has since quieted down considerably, and I look fine, with no need for a new hairdo.  I'm probably the only one who's aware that I used to have more hair.  As I understand it, it is quite common for the shedding to kind of come and go, and you can take minoxidil (it makes me itch, so I don't).

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited November 2013


    Oddly someone mentioned that my hair has never looked so thick! I had CMF so I never lost my hair entirely but it did thin. I've been on anastrazole for three straight months this go round but I've been on and off for a year and half. It's all so unpredictable.

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  • Pawprint
    Pawprint Member Posts: 464
    edited November 2013


    Bren58, I have ringing in my ears all the time now. You may be right thinking it is SE of Arimidex.


    lago, I love your new profile picture...I also agree with you about being really pissed off about having osteoporosis now. My insurance finally approved Proleia ( don't know if I spelled that right). Haven't got the injection yet cause I am in pain from a 12 mm kidney stone and will have to have it surgically removed. Never had kidney stones before arimidex ...just saying :-(

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  • Jo6202
    Jo6202 Member Posts: 372
    edited November 2013


    Brokendreams - sorry to hear about your kidney stone. I have been down that road many times. See if you can have lithotripsy somewhere. That is where they blast the stone with sound waves and it breaks into tiny pieces that you can then pass which means no cutting into your body, no scars and a quick recovery.

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited November 2013


    brokendreams never had kidney stones but I hear they are quite painful. My DH and his brothers have all had them at least once. I hope you find relief soon. BTW don't blame everything on cancer treatment. Some of it is due to just getting older. I'm still in denial that I'm 52 (49+3)


    I don't see the endocrinologist till mid January. New patients always have to wait about 3 months to see a specialist. Insane! I hope my insurance approves Proleia if I need to be on anything. I had gerd/acid reflux/IBS several years back. Still have the IBS and of course on chemo I was on 2 meds for heartburn. I hear the pills for bone building can give you issues with gerd/refluz.

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  • crog234
    crog234 Member Posts: 801
    edited November 2013


    Brokendreams and Lago I now have osteoporosis. Bones were fine in 2008 when I had my first bone density test. Last year I had osteopenia and this year has gone to osteoporosis. I have been on Anastrozole (generic Arimidex) since August of 2011. My insurance has approved Prolia. The cancer center is sending me back to the Endo Doctor to be sure it is not something more than being on the Anastozole... They did not want to start the Prolia until they know exactly what is causing my osteoporosis!!!!!! I was it able to walk much in the last two years due to a problem that arose while I was doing Chemo back in 2011, so that may play some into my having osteoporosis now but I really think the pill has been the biggest culprit. We shall see..


    Cindy AKA Squishy

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited November 2013


    Cindy I power walk, strength train and take extra calcium and still got osteoporosis. Don't beat yourself up. It's the damn ESD (estrogen sucking drug)

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  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited November 2013


    Anybody have muscle issues on arimidex/anastrozole?  I just started PT for both hamstring and rotator cuff.  Apparently, small muscle tears formed scar tissue, which what's causing the movement limitation/pain.  I know the hamstring thing started when I walked too fast and too far with some pretty athletic ladies this summer, but never would have thought walking could cause injury.  I have no idea what happened with my shoulder.  Normal use is my guess.

    I know muscle issues are not supposed to stem from using this drug, but with two issues, I'm feeling kind of suspicious, and wondering if any of the rest of you have had similar surprises.

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  • sweetandspecial
    sweetandspecial Member Posts: 1,707
    edited November 2013


    Brookside - My oncologist told me that both arimidex/anastrazole and Prolia can cause a whole host of musculatal/skeletal problems so I wouldn't be surprised if your muscle issues are in fact related to this drug. I get shin splints if I start out walking too fast but that's bene an issue for me since way before BC. I typically do a moderately paced half-mile walk then either pick up the walking pace or start running.


    Lago - love your new avatar....what a beautiful smile! I've had two Prolia injections (January and July 2013) and haven't had any specific SEs that I could tie directly to Prolia vs Arimidex. I did have a little acid reflux a few nights ago but that's only because I pigged out on Honey Nut Cheerios while watching a movie late at night (bonding with my son who was home for the weekend). I think I ate half the box and at least a quart of milk.......what an idiot!

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  • crog234
    crog234 Member Posts: 801
    edited November 2013


    Lago so sorry you got osteoporosis even though you certainly were doing everything to try to avoid it. I believe in my case anyway that it is the estrogen sucking drug but I will go see what the Endo Doctor has to say.


    Cindy AKASquishy

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited November 2013


    Hello!


    I was just reading about the benefits of Aromasin and how it has a carry over effect even if you just take it for 6 moths to 1 year. I wonder if Arimidex(Anastrozole) has the same benefit?


    I didn't really ask my MO how long I'd be on this drug (switched from Tamoxifen to Anastrozole in September).


    I do remember him telling me in the summer that I'd probably be on Tamoxifen indefinitely but then he asked me to switch to an AI.


    How long is the normal course or are we all on it now until we have to switch to something else? Or at least those of us with mets?


    I don't see my MO again until early December and I'll ask him about it but I was wondering what the protocol was for everyone else.


    Marie

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited November 2013


    normal course length is 5 years or it has been in the past. I am ending my 5 years this year.


    Course some folks are talking about longer as in 10 years but that is debatable

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2013


    I just started arimidex on August 20, but I had 60% bone loss in my femur between 2/2011-8/2013. Less than three years and I can't blame arimidex. I was taking calcium & vitamin D3 all along too.


    Paula

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited November 2013


    I was told at the beginning of tx 10 years. 9 1/2 to go.

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  • kad2kar
    kad2kar Member Posts: 336
    edited November 2013


    Iago----ThumbsUp on your new avatar!!! You are are always a happy, helpful person in all your posts. ------kad2kar

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  • sweetandspecial
    sweetandspecial Member Posts: 1,707
    edited November 2013


    I have a cousin that's been on tamoxifen for 13 years. My oncologist said I could plan on just the 5 years for arimidex. The 10 year regimen would definitely be a possibility for ladies with a chance of recurrence higher than mine.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited November 2013


    yeah, MO said I was high risk for reoccurrence. That if I made it 2-3 years I should have a good chance to be ok. Bring on the devil pill

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2013


    When I started on Arimidex, my doctor said 5 years at least, although no "end point" was cited as it was with Tamoxifen (then).


    Well, I'm going on 9 years on Arimidex. I don't have any side effects that I can attribute to it. I had arthritis before the cancer, still have it. I herniated 3 discs in my back, but I was doing some heavy lifting that I shouldn't have.


    I will stay on Arimidex as long as my Dr. thinks it's helping prevent a recurrence or metastasis......

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited November 2013


    I was told 5 years.

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  • Jo6202
    Jo6202 Member Posts: 372
    edited November 2013


    I was also told 5 years.

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited November 2013


    My dr was adamant, 5 years. Said the Tamoxifin research had no bearing on me. I'm waiting for the recommendations to change...everything does.


    Never a dull moment. I have blood, sugar, protein and ketones in my urine. Dr. gave me antibiotics even thought no bacteria.


    I don't know what's going on. For some reason suddenly i have pain, the stiffness and muscle and bone pain. Really bad.


    Not sure my dr is on top of what's going on....It was my internist I saw. Maybe I'll call the onco tomorrow.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited November 2013


    How is your glucose? Normal, or higher?

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