Arimidex - Coping with the SE's

Bcbarbie10--I found the hot flashes from arimidex/lupron leveled out.For the last couple of years I even know about when the hot flashes would occur. I had to increase my antidepressant dosage considerably during treatment, and could not lower it again due to worsening depression symptoms and increased hot flashes, especially at night. Don't stop the lexapro all at once, work with your docs to gradually decrease the dose over time. And don't be surprised if your docs recommend waiting until after the anastrozole is done before trying to come off the antidepressant.

NancyD--are you still on arimidex? I found that about 6 months after I came off it I started getting a lot less stiffness and joint pain and could walk and move much more easily again. In the meantime, keep walking as much as you can. I got up to 3 miles a day while on arimidex, then lost that after recon surgery and am still working on getting it back, which has more to do with discipline, time, health and weather than medications and arthritis at this point.

NativeMainer, yes I'm still on anastrazole. I posted a query a few months ago asking if anyone had come off it after long-term use and what side effects had abated. I will hit ten years on this AI in August/September, and wanted to talk to my onc about a break, or even stopping it altogether, but if there would be little or no relief from the side effects, I don't want to chance it.

I plan to get walking again as soon as the weather turns nice. Right now, just going around a hilly block has me deep breathing and my hips aching. But it sounds like there is light at the end of the tunnel.

barbe--if you and your doc are tapering you off the lexapro, you may be able to come off it while on anastozole. You and your doc the experts on your body and it's reactions to medication changes.

It is worth a try to see how they affect you. Just remember that your very low Oncotype (yay!) includes taking either Tamoxifen or an AI. If you do have side effects (and considering your arthritis and osteoporosis) you could always switch to Tamoxifen. Plenty of post menopausal women have taken it.

Doofuscat--we're used to similar questions coming around periodically. Women are being diagnosed and coming into the threads all the time. Those of us further down the road remember what that part of the journey is like, and are always available to answer questions. I know of a couple of women being advised not to take the hormonal therapy, but both were in their 90s and both had serious osteoporosis and other serious health issues. Both died of other causes--one a couple years later of heart disease, one a few months later from COPD. I can understand your concern about taking anti-estrogen treatment with pre-existing arthritis and osteoporosis. I had pre-existing arthritis in my knees when I started that road.I had no side effects on Tamoxifen, did get more knee stiffness and new hip stiffness and carpal tunnel symptoms in my hands. I managed the carpal tunnel by wearing a brace at night, and the knee and hip stiffness and soreness by trying not to sit in one place very long at a time. If you have a lot of trouble with one med, you can try another, many women get relief from joint pain and stiffness by changing drugs. Some women take breaks from time to time during treatment. There are medications and physical therapy that can help through treatment, too. It's worth trying, in my opinion.

Hey ladies:

I have been on arimidex since May 2017. So about 10 months I guess. I have a symptom and wonder if any hear have had it. By the way I had a hysterectomy/oophorectomy in 2007 so I am postmenopausal. I am 55.

My vagina has been dry as are my eyes. This morning, I actually had a bit of vaginal bleeding. I figure its because of dryness and irritation. But last week I just happened to have my 3 month check up and the nurse practitioner asked me if I had vaginal bleeding, which i had not up until that day.

So should I be concerned?

wallan

Wallan--while on arimidex I had really serious vaginal dryness, and occasional small amounts of bleeding, most notably after my yearly gyno checks. What you experienced is mostly likely due to the exam itself. if it happens again you can call your PCP and talk about it, but it seems pretty common. It stopped happening to me when I stopped taking arimidex and the dryness got better. It didn't go away, but it did get better.

I sometimes have dry eyes and my optometrist recommends retaine. All natural and can use several times daily. Pricey but worth it. I started taking Claritin with my Arimidex and it's helpingwith joint issues. A lot of women have suggested trying the Claritin. We don't know why it seems to work

Krose53--there are 2 ways the body makes estrogen. The first, and strongest source is the ovaries. The second, weaker source is from the aromatase enzyme converting cholesterol to estrogen in fat cells. The aromatase inhibitor drugs block the aromatase enzyme so very little cholesterol to estrogen conversion happens. We get menopausal symptoms when the ovaries stop making estrogen because the aromatase enzyme system cannot make any where near as much estrogen as the ovaries could, so our bodies have to adjust to a much lower level of estrogen in our systems.

Hi all, I'm new to this and I'm here because I need to make the decision soon about whether to take an AI and my med onc is suggesting arimidex. Also considering Tamoxifen.I had early stage BC 7mm (15% was DCIS), non aggressive Ki 67 <5 had surgery and brachytherapy radiation. I am now on a clean mainly plant based diet and have lost weight over the past year, I exercise regularly and worry that the side effects outweigh taking the pills to change recurrence rate from 10% to 5%. Not even really sure how they get those numbers. What have your experiences been. Would love to hear.

Crita18...its never an easy decision and one that should be made after lots of research. There is an alternative medicine thread if you want to visit it. I refused anti hormone therapy from the start and decided to try to lower my estrogen naturally. May I ask you to make your stats public so we can better answer your questions. We will support and respect whatever you decide. Good luck and keep us posted.

Hello. I'm sorry, I don't understand your comment. Are you taking arimidex now? and what information were you given about the five year time line? Why wouldn't you take them?

Santolina, how long have you been on arimidex? Some report serious side effects that may go away over time or became something they could live with. Guess it depends on your individual tolerance. No one can tell you what to choose but one friend once wrote (often wrote) that the SE's are easier to manage than recurrence that many times comes back much worse than the original. My prayers are up for you to make the best decision for yourself. Hugs.

I have been on Anastrozole for 4 years and have always taken it at bedtime. I've noticed some sleep issues gradually happening in the last several months. Would these issues have happened without the medication, or is the Anastrozole affecting my sleep? I don't know the answer to that question, so I'm going to switch and take it in the morning.

We will see if that helps. Otherwise, I have some joint pain as well as hot flashes which are definitely worse in these hot summer months. During the winter they are infrequent and hardly noticeable. I take Claritin for the joint pain.

wndr woman, I was on the accord brand for about 7 months. Really started to feel side effects at the 5-6 month mark. After reading here I searched all over town for TEVA. Most places either didnt carry it or it would be a long wait due to manufacturing delay. If you are near a CVS try there. I transferred my prescription and was lucky and got it immediately. I've been on it a month and I think symptoms may have subsided a little. When I went in to pick up refill he offered me 90 days and I jumped at that chance just in case. Best of luck!