Objective tests for joint pain on Arimidex

Hi Funny Farm,

I've also been on Arimidex for 2+ years now. Like you I have a great deal of knee pain, to the point of debilitation. The pain clears after I've been off the medication for a week or two and resumes within a couple of days of restarting the medication so I have no doubt the Arimidex causes it.

I don't know if you've come across this article:

http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/03/06/annonc.mdt037.full

It's a fairly recent paper on AI induced arthralgia. To summarize, they don't know the mechanism that produces the pain and they don't know how to treat it. At least they are recognizing it exists and that compliance suffers because of it.

Personally I have found the use of Vitamin D, Fish oil, Claritin, and Acupuncture in combination to be the most helpful. Exercise unfortunately does not reduce my pain, rather it increases it.

I'm persisting in my use of the medication but it really is a challenge given the reduction in my QOL.

Hi Funny Farm,

I had found the article you referenced too. I've tried the low dose prednisone a couple of times, just prior to going on vacation, and it did help somewhat, but not enough that I could forgo my other methods of pain relief. The impact also did not last the month that the article indicates.

So, for me it isn't a miracle, just another arrow in the quiver.

By the way, I gave my GP a copy of that article and he prescribed the prednisone with no argument.

I plan to transition to an AI soon so will be watching these threads for information and issues to consider.

A "drug holiday", as suggested by kmpod might be a good experiment for funnyfarm. Keep in mind that surgeons will almost always advocate operating as the appropriate intervention (since that is what they do!)

Have either of you thought about trying one of the other aromatase inhibitors? Perhaps a different one would be better tolerated.

Hi vinrph,

At my last visit with my MO I suggested to him that perhaps a switch to Femara might be of help.

He dismissed the idea, saying that in his experience the Femara produced more joint pain that the Arimidex. I didn't push it this time but I will if things deteriorate further.

SpecialK - I've been doing Tai Chi in an attempt to build up the muscles around my knees. Some days I manage it fairly well but other days i can't. I just do what I'm able to. I've also found that if I use walking poles I can stretch my walking distances a bit further.

The odd thing about the pain is that it travels. Sometimes my right knee is worse than my left then, a week or so later it could reverse. At times it feels like bone pain (the Claritin seems to do a good job with that) but more often it feels like my tendons have tightened right up. I'm never sure quite how much weight my knees will take and that makes uneven terrain a challenge.

The most depressing part of this whole issue is that I need to exercise more and I need to lose weight but I'm simply not able to due to the side effects of the AI. It's a big Catch 22.

SpecialK raises a good point about developing the muscles. Have you considered physical therapy? They deal with knee problems all the time and can recommend targeted exercises for your situation. When I had knee problem 10 years ago, the PT first assessed my gait and determined that my hodgepodge of exercises was actually making the problem worse--my outer thigh muscle was more developed than the inner. So the first step was to give me exercises to get the muscles to work together properly. (I did those at home daily for two weeks). Then he added strengthening exercises (again, did those at home with periodic check-ins). The PT should be able to recommend other exercises that could help. Like kmpod, uneven surfaces made my problem worse, so the PT's advice was to walk only on flat paved surfaces until my muscles developed. I did light bike-riding (10-15 mins) to warm up the knee. The PT might suggest other exercise, like swimming, to help with overall health and weight loss without harming the knee. I'm not a doctor (or PT) but this might be worth trying before attempting surgery. (besides, you'd probably get sent to PT post-surgery anyway)

I have been on Arimidex for 5 years now, side effects started after 6 months. First, all over arthritis, so bad I could barely get out of bed and sometimes couldn't hold the steering wheel to drive. Finally after reading forums my husband suggested I try high doses of Vitamin D3. It changed my life. Took a few months but almost removed the arthritis. Since then I have had severe hip joint pain, used intensive PT to help it and went back to big doses of D3. Next was wrist (diagnosed as DeQuervains Tendonosis) - cortisone shot worked but only lasted 4 months, changed tennis grip and am able to manage it now. Now having knee problems. I believe using all options combined helps: strengthening muscle, healthy diet (especially anti-inflammatory) and I avoid gluten, and more D3. I believe the biggest impact over my five years has been the D3. Most doctors are skeptical but I have found several studies supporting it and many women who agree. I take 10,000 IU a day when I am trying to up my levels. I have a family member who's doctor put her on 8 times that for a few weeks. It helped us both significantly. Best of luck and don't give up!!!