Starting Arimidex today (July 15, 2015)

I've had no problems with Arimidex. Short history: I had lumpectomy, chemo, and rads with boost. I used Penguin Cold Caps during chemo so kept my hair throughout chemo, and I had very few SEs from chemo either -- even my bloodwork stayed normal throughout. Went on tamoxifen for 1+ years then went into a very sudden and fast (3 week) full menopause. I'd been having lots of SEs on tamox and was both grateful and wary of switching to Arimidex. After two weeks I developed excruciating bone pain, even the bottoms of my feet and my toes hurt. Then I remembered that during chemo, when I had my neulasta shots, the nurses told me to take Claritin the day before and for 3 days after, as it relieved bone pain. So, I hobbled to the medicine cabinet, popped a Claritin...and overnight the bone pain disappeared. I take Claritin every day and have not had an issue. My doctor now tells her patients to try this if they have issues. I posted this on the board, and other women immediately also noticed results. I found it depressing to read the boards, to be honest, so stopped. If I'd been having SEs then it would have been helpful. I take mine at bedtime.

I find it a little harder to keep weight off -- I'm very active -- and have given myself occasional 1-2 day breaks. I always notice a reduction in bloating and seem to lose a pound or two when I do this. I've put on about 5-7 pounds that just won't come off but nothing to worry about. I was worried about bone density, but began training in aikido (a Japanese martial art), in part because I'd always wanted to but also because I wanted to learn to fall safely without injuring myself and breaking any bones. My first dexa showed that I now have the bones of a 25-year old, my baseline was a healthy age appropriate. Next week I expect to get the all-clear from my doctor to stop, as I'll be at the 5-year mark. (Unless there's new info suggesting that continuing has benefits.) I have been a 1-mile/day swimmer for almost 30 years, and also hike, do strength training, and other activities.

If my doc suggests I continue, I am absolutely fine with that, as I consider myself free of SEs from arimidex.

I try to keep in mind that with any drug, there is always a menu of potential SEs and every woman will respond differently. I decided not to worry in advance about things that hadn't happened yet or might not ever happen. That thinking has served me well throughout all of my treatment steps. And I'm healthier and stronger than I have ever been in my life!

Susan