Arimidex - Coping with the SE's

Been on this for about 2 months, and having trouble sleeping but was having trouble sleeping from chemo/rads. Taking it in the am now and am sleepy afterwards but figured it was because I didn't have a good nights sleep.

Wondering if it might be better to take it at night? Could it help me sleep? Thought insomnia was a SE of this drug, but not sure.Thoughts on am vs pm?

PB

Ive been on for 2 years and take in am. However I will do almost anything to help sleep at night, so wonder if I should switch to pm. Hate to upset the apple cart at this point, as have few problems, but wonder if Id be less sleepy in morning, and more so at night.

I don't post much but this thread is always interesting to check out. What is the IBC test? I cant remember exactly how long I've been on Arim. without checking my notes. A guess is around 4 years. Did 2 on Tamox before that.

It's always encouraging to hear how peoples dreadful SE can go away. Feeling 90years old getting out of a chair, stiff sore feet and hands etc. I remember having dreadful SE's to the point of almost stopping, but I persevered and they subsided almost completely. Mine started about 4 months in, and did lasted some months after. All I get now is the odd occurrence of stiff fingers first thing, but they free up very quickly. The only thing I'm questioning is that it still may be affecting my sleep.

Hi janett2014

I asked my pharmacist about getting the teva brand and she has not been able to find any pharmacy around here that has it

What pharmacy did you get yours from?

I have had some SE and would like to try it.

Thank you.

Aug242007 I did get that wrong. Thanks for the correction.

So, new city/state, MO, pharmacy, so now my anastrozole is by Roxane, sub of a German company. Current med is by Breckenridge and no telling where they get it from but I haven't had any problems. Think I should start the Roxane brand so can switch back if any issues.

Patoo, I'm now on Aromasin, after having difficulties with Arimidex. I began having pretty bad side effects on Aromasin after my local hospital and mail-order pharmacy both changed manufacturers of the generic, to Allergen, I think, I did some research and asked my MO to give me a new script and finally found a pharmacy that uses the pill by Roxane. I pay triple what I used to, but it's worth it because the bone pain went away, I'm con vinced that different generics can make a difference. I hope you find the Arimidex by Roxane to be a good fit.

Thanks Wave. I started the Roxane this morning so will see over the next few weeks/months. It's covered under my drug plan so only pay $14. for a 3-month supply.

carole, I had no problems when switched from the brand to generic a couple years back. Actually was on my second manufacturer of the generic without a problem with any SE's. The reason one generic can be different from others is not in the drug itself as that has to be the same for everyone, but in the fillers. To hold the drug a manufacturer can use any filler(s) and they do differ by manufacturer. This is why a person may tolerate one generic and not another.

My primary doc told me that generics only have to have a minimum of 70 percent of the actual drug, that fillers can differ significantly and that, as generics have proliferated, lab inspections have decreased. That's why I was reluctant to use a generic made in Asia. Teva doesn't make generic Aromasin, but I know lots of women on these forums who swear by the Teva brand for generic Arimidex.

My doc said she is seeing more and more patients who cannot tolerate certain generic brands of many drugs, not just our AI's

Thanks patoo, that 70% thing sounded scary!

Sorry to cause confusion and spread misinformation. What my primary doc told me seems to be unsubstantiated. Sorry, ladies, and frankly glad she's wrong

Hi ladies, first time on this thread, I've been on Arimidex for 1 year, had hot flashes before starting on it and they remain, just part of my life I guess. The joint pain tho keeps getting worse. I was taking Claritin for over a year but it wasn't helping. I called my MO today and got the ok to take a 1 month vacation from the AI. If I feel a lot better I may switch to another kind or maybe Tamoxifen. My knees, elbows and feet all hurt all the time, I'm just sick of it, I feel like I've aged 20 years in the last 2. I am a hairdresser so I spend a lot of time on my feet, getting back into yoga to help balance it out but just so tired of hurting. So today is my first day of vacay, going to stay off it until Thanksgiving. Any words of advice?

Arimidex is killing me! I've only been taking it a week and already my feet hurt so badly that I'm walking with a limp. I was on tamoxifen for 4 years and developed a second new breast cancer. Since I've had a hysto MO switched me to Arimidex. I had pretty severevSEvwith tamoxifen previously but this seems much worse. I will most like abandon as it is really impacting the quality of my life.

sknitter, Janet is correct. Try switching manufacturers (you may need to go to another pharmacy) or get it from AstraZeneca before you abandon. Also check with your MO as there are other AI's as well.

Hi, Ladies. I have had many of the side effects that seem to haunt Arimidex users, but most come and go. However, I have had horrid hot flashes over the last two weeks. They have increased in duration and intensity and I'm having at least two an hour. I've had some kind of hot flash for years - prior to chemo, as well - but this is unbearable. Any suggestions? Thank you. Linda