Side Effects Arimidex

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MonicaSmith
MonicaSmith Member Posts: 18
edited January 2018 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
Side Effects Arimidex
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  • MonicaSmith
    MonicaSmith Member Posts: 18
    edited May 2008

    In 2006 I was dgnosed  with DCI for the second time in lefty (bad girl). Following lefties removal  I started Arimidex November 2006.  I was 64 and my insurance would not pay so in June 2006 when Canada Pharmacy offered Anastrozole, the generic form for far less money I jumped at it.  It is produced in India by Cipio known for providing UN with AIDS drugs at low cost.  I began to take them in September.  By October I began to have leg cramps that worsened with my increased fitness regime at night. In fact they were so bed i was up for a couple of hours trying to get rid of them.  Consulting my GP, a sport medicine doctor, I increased my water intake dramatically and lowered the intensity of the work out.  The side effect decreased dramatically. 

    I was 65 in August and Medicare kicked in so it was cheaper to get Arimidex.   The side effects continued to abate.  This month I decided to use up the remaining three weeks of Anastrozole.  The leg pains are there but low key and I sweat far more profusely during my daily cardio 30 minute workout than when on Arimidex. 

    So possibly it is the fillers in the generic that may cause the side effects .

    I am also taking Boniva.  Osteopenia was in evidence before I started on Arimidex/ generic and has become a little worse despite load bearing exercises.  So now I am taking note of water intake again.  I should add that I have endured leg cramps, (Charley horses) all my life so bed socks and  drinking the amount of water recommended has reduced them to almost zero.  My return to the generic was prompted knowing I will have to go to Canada pharmacy once I hit the "donut hole " of Medicare coverage in August.

    Hope this information helpd someone.

    Monica queen of Bed Socks.

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  • FacingLIFE
    FacingLIFE Member Posts: 29
    edited May 2008

    Thank you for sharing this SE of Arimidex. Extreme cramps plus joint pain, stomach distress and increase pulse rate are the main reasons I stopped Arimidex. My onc tells me that only the joint and muscle pain are caused by Arimidex. My internist doesn't agree with her.



    My leg cramps are so severe at night that I can't get out of bed to stretch. They last for at least 30 minutes and recur often during the night. I'll try drinking more water but between getting up to urinate and fighting leg cramps, when should I sleep?



    Now I'll start Tamoxifen. Hopefully some of the these side effects will subside. Just read on this forum that hair thinning will occur. After chemo, that just doesn't seem fair.

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited May 2008



    Vitamin D supplementation may be a consideration for severe muscle cramps, with more evidence pointing to its effect not only on bone, parathyroid, but muscle (including improved contractility of heart).



    A goal of near 70 nmol (nano mol, which is nanogram x 2.5) is a low goal, or about 1000 IU per day of D3 (cholecalciferol, not D2 which is from plants). Higher goals range above 120 nmol and up.



    Evidence is mounting on the true value of vitamin D (only produced through sun exposure on bare skin) or significant supplementation in bone maintenance, parathyroid function, muscle function, infection reduction (even tuberculosis improvement), and cancer (colon, prostate and breast).



    For blood measurement you need to have serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D drawn, as that is it's storage form.



    Tender

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  • MinAZ
    MinAZ Member Posts: 368
    edited May 2008

    I am confused. I thought Arimidex and Anastazole are one and the same? I thought there is not yet a generic? 

    For leg cramps, a couple of folks I know take quinine/tonic water and say it helps. I don't know about any interaction with meds, though...

    Minz 

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  • MonicaSmith
    MonicaSmith Member Posts: 18
    edited March 2010

    There is a generic available outside the USA.  I buy mine through Canada Pharmacy.  quinine never worked for me. E-Lyte does.

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  • SarahB57
    SarahB57 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2018

    I take the generic form of Arimidex. The first week was tough as I was bloated and constipated. I switched to taking it at night and increased my fiber intake. Problems solved! I just hope it does it’s job and blocks the estrogen! I have stage 2 beast cancer on my left side. Waiting on my surgery appointment next week.

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