For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing

I am hitting my two year mark on Arimidex - brand via the mail program - and my TSH (thyroid) and AST (liver enzyme) blood levels are getting high...is this just a side effect of the years of arimidex? Will it go away when I stop? or do folks add another pill or two to balance out the SE of the Arimidex??? Just had an ultrasound and there isn't something "wrong" with these body parts...

TrmTab

I recommend you see a good endocrinologist about your thyroid. TSH is only one indicator of a thyroid problem. A good endocrinologist will test your T3 and T4. Those scores will be a better indicator of a problem, if you have one.

I take Armor thyroid and have for many years. However, after starting Arimidex my primary care physician carefully studied my TSH, T3, and T4 for every month for about five months. I started gaining weight and feeling fatigued. He reduced my daily dosage and the weight got under control and the fatigue diminished.

Coach Vicky

Thanks, I've never heard of a mona lisa treatment but I'm going to check into it.

my ins covered it as I had met my deductible for the year but I have noticed a difference

So do your MO and endicrinologist talk, does the MO take the lead?

Dealing with a variety of docs for my 82 y.o. mother...they all only claim one or two drugs and dismiss any interconnectivity. I believe this may be connected directly to the Arimidex and the hormone issues...

Not too graphic...just truly real.

I see my PCP next week, she order the TSH as part of my general blood work. I see my MO the week after. Will see where this goes. Dx at 54, now 56...have a long way to go, I hope, so want to stay as healthy as I can. Best, TT

Just curious - did anyone now taking Anastrozole have arthritis prior to your BC? If so, is your joint pain worse now that you're on the AI? My MO insists that AI-related joint pain occurs first thing in the morning & improves as soon as you move around a bit. Is that your experience? (It is definitely not mine!) Also, does anything relieve your pain? I've tried NSAIDs, Claritin, Tylenol, & pretty much every pain reliever on the market with no real success. Exercise helps, but it's never a complete fix.

castigame, what is flexitouch pump?

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/135/topics/860125

I have been on Arimidex for 6 years, I now have osteoporosis in low back. My MO does not want me to take Arimidex anymore unless I do Reclast. I am in my 40s I’m worried about dental work and such, so I refused. She put me on evista saying it’s a 2 in 1 deal and would be best. I’m a bit worried about SE on this and thinking if I do Prolia shots and go back to the A1? Please.. any thoughts/experience

I had been taking Evista and then I met with my new oncologist today. She took over from the previous one who moved out of state, In any event, due to my age being 55 now and my recent blood test indicating that I am post-menopausal, she wans to put me on an Aromatase inhibitor. The one she has picked is Arimidex. She says that I can continue taking the two of them for this month, until my next refill (of Evista). Then I can stop the Evista and jus stick with the Arimidex. I have heard that there can be some unpleasant side affects to his medication? She says that the side affects will show themselves almost immediately if there are going to be any. Can anyone elucidate on this? I haven't picked up themedication yet,probably will tomorrow.

MarieBernice6234

MarieBernice

I agree with Vicky. I've been taking name brand Arimidex since May. I skipped trying the genetics. I have some aches and pains and fortunately my SEs are manageable. I also take Prolia injections for osteoporosis every 6 mos. my MO also told me that SEs would show up pretty quickly IF I was going to get them. No hair thinning for me. Best wishes and gentle hugs

I am just chiming in..  

when I  was told that I should take AI, I knew it was expensive and thanks to my sisters here  I knew it was going to be Arimidex.. I  really was going to sacrifice other stuff in my life to pay for the meds.. Now I am only paying $1 per pill which is no brainer..  It could be conspiracy by big pharma  but I am not taking any chances. To my pleasant surprise, I have very little side effects.. no hot flash no brain fog no mood swing no significant weight gain (lost 25 plus during chemo gained back about 15 and been steady since last fall. And I  eat)  light joint pain but nothing major btw it correlates w weather changes..  and the best part is AI makes me to be diet and exercise minded..   I am very curious to hear from my MO in 3 wks when I go for  6 mo check up.   I still hate AI because it reminds me daily of the bleeping disease I had..   Right now I plan to stick it out at least 7 yrs..  

Hi Butterfly - I am not sure what the brand name of his Arimidex is unttil I get it from the pharmacy, but I will bear that in mind. So far I don't have any osteoporosis- just osteopenia which is stable, I had a recent bone density test. I will have to post how I do with it once I start.

Hi,

I hope that I do as well with it as you appear to be doing. I never really gained any weight with either the Tamoxifen and Evista so I am lucky that .way. I will let you know how I do as it goes on.