Just Stopped Arimidex after 9 Years - What Now?

I was very happy when I read this thread:https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topics/...

- something to look forward to as my 5 years draw near.

I do yoga, lift light weights etc. Here is an old post of mine from the Lets Post Our Daily Exercise thread on the Fitness Forum (come join us if you want some exercise buddies!):

I had 11 lymph nodes removed, so this (LE) has always been an area of real concern and mindfulness for me. When I had my surgery, there was no one around here to go to for advice, so I did a lot of studying on my own. Here are some thoughts & tips I came up with.

First, I think that whether or not you are prone to LE has mostly to do with how your lymph system handles trauma. I would say most cases (unless you are in a horrible accident or are doing really extreme activities) are neither through any virtue or fault of your own; just a matter of good or bad 'luck'.

That being said, there are many 'little' things that we can do that may reduce the risk of developing LE or minimize flares (these are for people with SNB too):

• No BP, IVs, needles, shots etc. in that arm....consider getting a medical ID bracelet (to wear when traveling anyway). There are some really pretty ones out there that look like jewelry (I have a good website if you want it)
• Wear gloves when doing yard work, gardening etc.
• Wear sunscreen when out in the sun, bug spray when out with the bugs
• If you get a cut, scrap, bite...wash it with soap/water and slap on a bandage. If you see any sign of infection, get to the Dr. & on antibiotics ASAP
• Be sure to switch arms when carrying your purse, hauling around anything heavy, dragging luggage etc.
• Be careful about saunas, I avoid them, and also manicures and massages (on that quadrant of my body anyway).....not everyone does, but that's just me
• Keep a healthy weight
• Keep hydrated, limit alcohol
• Don't wear tight rings, watches, bracelets on that arm (when flying, I put my rings on my other hand & leave them on that side fro a couple hours after I land)
• Also, be sure to keep well hydrated when flying, move your arm around a lot, make fists etc. get up & walk around the cabin (which won't be a problem if you are well-hydrated because you will have to go to the bathroom!), if someone wants to help you hoist your carry on & off the overhead, let them.....maybe think of checking a heavy bag....
• When exercising that arm; start very slowly, take your time...build up weights very slowly...don't skip levels...don't do too many reps in one session. Mix up your exercises, don't work the same muscle groups every day. You may want to work with an experienced trainer (or PT) to help you construct a balanced program.
• One thing I do want to add; after my surgery I was scared to start doing upper body. Neither my surgeon nor my oncologist could give me any good solid advice, so I talked to my GP. What he said was that I DID want to exercise my upper body, that it was important to do so as it would actually build up the lymph system, and although, of course, I should be careful and notice if my arm felt heavy/swollen etc. that I shouldn't be afraid to have it feel a little 'normal' soreness...because anytime you exercise a part of your body that you haven't been using for awhile, of course, it will feel sore. That made sense to me, and gave me 'permission' to get moving.

I felt like it was an overall lifting of my mood....nothing specific or extreme,,,,but lighter somehow.

Hi Aug242007

Your post interested me because you went for nine and not ten years . I am exactly 9 years with Arimidex and want to stop it but I keep getting told that its 10 years.Is it such a magic number one asks.

How did you decide to stop? I cannot say that the side effects for me were unbearable so that doesnt really justify coming off it ,Im just had enough of the itching skin and hair loss that I do suffer from.

My best wishes for a healthy future

Anna