Pain on Arimidex
I came off tamoxifen June 2017 and cycled through arimidex, letrozole, and then aromasin (side effects). I was put back on tamoxifen but disliked it so much I essentially through a hissy fit and said no more. I stopped taking it. After getting a break and feeling well again, I agreed to go back on Arimidex.
I have been on arimidex now for three months and the joint pain is back. In the beginning, I tried acupuncture but it seemed that the more the drug built up in my body, the less effective it was. I recently stopped acupuncture after talking with the acupuncturist (who is also a physician) as it was no longer working. I went through 7 treatments in total but with little effect against arimidex.
The pain is worse in both my arms - shoulders and upper forearm. At night, the pain is also in my right hip, knee and ankle, varying in intensity from night to night. I haven't been on the post-breast cancer drug long enough to consider coming off but the pain is like a dull ache that never goes away and if I move the wrong way, it's sharp and painful.
I have not found acetaminophen, naproxen or ibuprofen helpful against the joint pain. I've tried a few topicals with little relief (Icy Hot, Biofreeze). I found penetrex to be somewhat helpful. Salonpas is helpful for my hip bursitis but not useful for the arm pain. I've tried products with arnica with little to no relief.
When I exercise, I ache but it's worse once I cool off and then try to do something. My doctors keep telling me that I'll feel better if I keep at it...and of course, I need to lose weight.
I'm only 54 and feel like I'm 90.
My question: what have you tried to reduce the pain and what worked for you? Diet? Exercise? Topicals? Vitamins C or D? Anything else?
Comments
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Kleekai,
I am 48 and have been taking Arimidex since last Nov without skipping.
I am about 30 pound plus overweight and have mild arthritis.
About AI pain, I believe Epsom salt bath and daily Claritin do the trick for me.
I do Epsom salt bath on weekends. It is known to reduce inflammation and many more such as moisturization and exfoliation.
p.s. I take small amount of celexa, AI, small Ativan, thyroid med and Claritin. Usually walk about 7000 steps a day.
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I would try another Al. Aromasin (Exemestane) gave me very few problems.
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kleekai, I'm sorry you feel so bad. You definitely have a decision to make. I also take a regular claritin and have since day 1 of arimidex. Epsom salt baths sound like a great idea.
Do you feel you are moving around a lot? That does help. I agree with you, I am more stiff after cooling off or getting up after resting. Some take glucosamine/ chondroitin too.
If you take your pill at night and are noticing more symptoms then maybe try taking it during the day and see if that helps. It's worth a try.
Regardless, don't be miserable. If you find you cant take it anymore there is a thread somewhere about reducing estrogen naturally. Best wishes and hang in there.
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Letrozole and Aromasin gave me migraines and headaches so my only choice is Arimidex.
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DebAl: Thanks - I have not heard of Claritin or Epsom Salts helping but they are worth trying. Another site suggested aleve once in the morning and again at night for up to three days to see if joint pain alleviates.
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I haven't heard about Claritin for muscle, joint leg pain from Anastrozole either. Is this something lots of people use, any kind of allergy medicine or just the Claritin. I am on a one month break from the Anastrozole due to severe leg and joint pains, after 2 weeks off I feel 95% better. I will try one of the other two AI's, hope they work better for me
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Regular claritin..not the D..can help with the bone pain that the neulasta shot causes the day after chemo. I had no bone pain during my whole treatment. MO said it's ok to stay on it so I did in case it may help with the joint pain from arimidex. I've only been on arimidex for about 2 1/2 months but so far so good. I haven't tried the Epsom salts baths either but I think I will.
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