Is there light at the end of treatment

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Woodchurch
Woodchurch Member Posts: 2
edited August 2017 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I have been on Arimidex and various generic brands for just over 3 yrs and the musculoskeletal side effects have got so bad now that I have swooped to Exemestane in the hope it might be better.

I can't find any positive posts of people who are at the end of this awful journey- and are 5 yrs down the line and off the tablets.

Can anyone say whether the pain in joints / muscles stops when the tablets are stopped?

Just need some hope

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  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited July 2017

    After about 2 1/2 years on arimidex I switched to tamoxifen. I am very happy to report that all my aches and pains are gone. I am so happy I made the switch!

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited July 2017

    I'm five + years out and I quit this past April. Thing have definitely improved, though quite slowly (I was on AI for a mere ten months, otherwise I was on Tamoxifen.) I have discovered that I have arthritis in my knees which is much improved with a daily Naproxen. Is there light at the end of treatment? Yes!

    Tamoxifen was easier for me as well.

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited July 2017

    I started with Arimidex 6 years ago. A year after I started my MO switched me to Tamoxifen because Arimidex attacks the bones and I had borderline osteoporosis.

    Actually I had fewer aches and pains with Arimidex than I did with Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen caused joint pain and an inability to concentrate at times but admittedly other than that no major side effects. There was no question I was going to take something to help prevent a recurrence for at least 5 years.

    There are women who have experienced debilitating issues with Tamoxifen. The good news is there are multiple other drugs that are available. There is no reason to withstand issues that interfere with your quality of life understanding that no drug is void of side effects.

    I know several women who chose not to take anything. Their call. Frankly I was afraid not to.

    I am 6 years out next month so there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

    Good luck!

    Diane

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited July 2017

    I didn't have what you would call an "awful journey", but I did have some joint achiness towards the end. Two years later, it is long gone. I remember the last day where I stopped in to a convenience store to buy some ibuprofen because I had a full day of walking ahead of me, and I was hurting. This was gone within a few days.

    It was wonderful to be not to need any more medication, but I am also glad I had the option of anti-hormonals.

    Most of all, I am thankful to be able to lead an active and full life, being stronger than ever as measured by my ability to go up hills cycling. Hang in there, and if you can fit in walking, do it. Because for most of us, exercise is what helps the most. - Claire 

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  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 897
    edited August 2017

    I was on Arimidex for five years from 2008 to 2013 and after I was finished taking them I felt like a new human being within two months all my side effects were gone except for the few, they're really just part of aging a little arthritis here and there it felt great!! Unfortunately three years later I had a recurrence and now I will have to take it again for another five years or maybe for the rest of my life which I'm beginning to believe they're going to tell all of us ER positive people that we might as well just stay on it forever!!!! I'm very disappointed I even did that BMI test and it said I needed to take it bummer😥

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