Arimidex & Cartlidge/Tendon/Joint Degeneration

I have been on arimidex for ten months.  I found a 2 1/2 inch lump in my left breast and was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer.  I had a mastectomy, followed by 4 months of chemo and five weeks of radiation.During chemo, I found lumps in my right breast which were benign.  I decided to have another mestectomy.  Lately my joint/bone pain is so severe I need to take hydrocodone to function.  When I awake, I can hardly get out of bed.  My fingers would not bend and I was tested for carpal tunnel syndrome.  The test showed bilateral carpal tunnel.  I hesitate to have surgery, since I believe much of my pain can be attributed to arimidex.  Yesterday my oncologist agreed to allow me to go off arimidex for three weeks, to see if I feel better.

The bone and joint pain depresses me and keeps me from doing all the things I love to do, like gardening and playing with my grandchildren.

Is anyone else having trouble with arimidex?  Also, what is CTS.  Is it carpal tunnel syndrome?

Wow!  I have been on Arimidex for only 3 weeks and I feel like crap!  I feel dizzy all the time, nausea all the time, I hurt all over, especially my hands, wrist, one arm, neck, back.  I have no energy and my sex drive is gone!!  I was diagnosed in Feb. 2007 with stage 2 breast cancer.  I had a lumpectomy and 7 Lymphnodes removed.  I had Chemo. Then Radiation and then a year of Herceptin. Then I was put on Tamoxifen and I had a Hysterectomy and I was just put on Arimidex.  I am tired just wondering if anyone else feels this way!!!

I think that exercise is the 'magic bullet' to keep everything working like it should, that and the calcium/vitamin D component.

I had the same complaints after taking arimidex for 6weeks, the difficulty opening and closing fingers, getting up from sitting position, stiffness.  After my revision of the implants I took tramadol for pain and realized I did not have the arthritic pain any more.  I am now off the tramadol and the arthritic pain is mild.  I only took the tramadol once a day and not the twice prescribed and when I thought about it, I realized it cured my complaints with the arimidex.  I did not have any of the side effects mentioned on the tramadol insert.

I have been on arimidex for 17 months....suffer with the hand and general body stiffness and random shooting pains (mostly in the feet) and have developed trigger finger.  My hip joints hurt when I walk, and it is painful to stand up and sit down....Called the onco last month, took a 2 wk vacation and then started on aromisin....only difference was the hip pain was gone...but, developed upset stomach and the runs....called onco back after 3 wks...was told we could try femara, but it is similar to arimidex....so taking another 2 wk vacation and then back to the arimidex.

I spoke with my primary dr, and he explained that the cartilage does not repair itself...so once the damage is done...its done....i have avoided pain pills, take motrin, and exercise doesnt make any difference....i know its important to keep the estrogen down, but some days are very hard

my family has become immune to my complaining and difficulty moving.  i think that is a normal reaction....it is just the new normal.....praying the find a cure....soon

Karen

I have been experiencing a great deal of pain in my feet and hands. I finished chemo in Nov 2013 and was put on Tamoxifen. Then I started bleeding so much that I decided to have a hysterectomy. After that I was switched to Arimidex. The hot flashes were hard enough to put up with but then my feet started to ache. When I got up out of bed I felt like my feet had been crushed. Then my joints in my hands began to ache. I felt that I was too young for arthritis but that is what I was diagnosed with. My index and middle fingers have knots on them now. My oncologist switched me to Femara. I had a work injury and learned I had a torn tendon & ligament in my thumb. I had physical therapy and that thumb felt better, but soon after I had another work injury which tore the ligament in my other thumb. Still complaining of joint pain and about 1 month on Femara she took me off all medication. I soak my hands in paraffin baths and wear splints to no avail. I have orthotics in my shoes and still I hurt. After speaking with another cancer survivor I learned that radiation, chemo and medication affects the tendons and ligaments of the body. I looked online and saw all of these posts of people suffering from the same symptoms as me. My orthopedist said he wasn't sure if my ligaments were previously weakened prior to my work injury and he is suggesting I have my thumb joints fused. I work with my hands all of the time and was always in motion. No I have to stop doing so much to keep my hands & feet from being in so much pain. On top of all of this my elbow tendons have joined the party. I'm seeing a new oncologist next week and will ask about all of these issues, but I feel certain all of the medication has made me feel like I'm quickly deteriorating! I've been in remission for almost 3 years and I'm grateful but I will not take anymore medication

sorry to hear you're having such problems. I was put on letrozole to begin with I couldn't stand those side effects after a few months. I was put on Anastrozole and still had excruciating pains. My PCP sent me to a Rheumatologist and it turned out I had rheumatoid arthritis. I was put on pills for that and I'm much better now. However, I did fracture a hip, running a half marathon in Germany in June, but my bone density came out fine, we can't rule out that it would have happened on or off AI's. Try to hang in there,though, I think Anastrozole may have saved my life.

In Canada CPS, is a pharmaceutical commission...

jpteacher1 - really!? They are saying it was the Anastrozole? Wow, I'm three years off chemo, 2 years on Anastrozole. I have rheumatoid arthritis, fractured a hip and am now, March 2nd, diagnosed with recurrence. Having double mastectomy and who knows what else after that?

Yes, Anastrozole, to what end?

I have been on Tamoxifen for 2 years. The bone scans say my bones are getting stronger. Much to my surprise I found out Monday I need a total knee replacement. The cartlidge was wearing thin last year and is completely gone now.I feel I have a 60 yr olds body.