Arimedex

lori1961
lori1961 Member Posts: 56

Hello Everyone,

 

My oncologist is switching me from Tamoxifen to Arimidex, wondering if anyone has any thoughts did not do too bad on the Tamoxoifen, terrible leg cramps though.  Thanks Lori

Comments

  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    Lori, I am not on Tamoxifen

    Lori, I am not on Tamoxifen or Arimidex, but, want to welcome you to the site that no one wants to join.  But since you are here, you will have the knowledge, support and prayers from all of the pink sisters.

    I know that the sister's that are on here will post to you.

    And, some put a bar of soap at the foot of the bed, unwrapped, to help with leg cramps.  You might also be low on potassium possibly?

    Noel

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    lori....

    You will probably get a lot of variation in peoples response to arimedex. I have been on it for about a year with very little negative side effects. I do take it at night before bed and that seems to lessen problems for many. The first few months I had a lot of hot flashes, seemed kind of more moody than was normal for me, and gained almost 10lbs, which in my case was needed. I have gotten into a regular exercise routine that includes gentle yoga, I eat about 75% plant based diet but am relaxed about that and other not so good for you foods the rest of the time. I never drank much but used to enjoy a glass of wine on occasion but have quit that entirely. I also found that caffine seemed to increase the hot flashes, so although an ex-Starbucks employee, I only have a cup or two a day and decaf green tea instead. I have so little side effects that now I have myself wondering if its even working (lol), crazy I know.

    Good luck to you. We are not all the same, and some have not had such a positive experience but I will hope yours to be!

  • lori1961
    lori1961 Member Posts: 56
    Thank you everyone for you're

    Thank you everyone for you're comments!

  • Bratnana
    Bratnana Member Posts: 3
    Leg Cramps

    I am on Arimidex now and have to be off all supplements before my exchange surgery. The leg cramps have been brutal.

  • gems
    gems Member Posts: 10
    I have been taking arimidex

    I have been taking arimidex for about 2 months. the first month I had an increase in hot flashes, but those have decreased dramatically. I have not had any other issues.

    Good luck, Hugs

  • JuJuBeez
    JuJuBeez Member Posts: 332
    I have been on Arimidex since

    I have been on Arimidex since Sept 2012. I was on Tamoxifen for two years prior to that. On Tamoxifen, I felt horrible most of the time. I would catch every 'bug' that flew by, had bad hot flashes, bad leg and feet cramps, and started with a severe case of eczema on both hands and feet. I started feeling much better within a few weeks of starting Arimidex. Knock on wood, I haven't been sick. I do still have severe eczema on my hands and feet. It looks like I tried to put them through a meat grinder. I had a total hysterectomy two months ago. Best thing ever. Natural menopause has been so much easier than Lupron-induced menopause. I do get hot..but not as often. It doesn't wake me up at night. My knees and shoulders do ache since Arimidex, but if I exercise it's not as bad. Rainy days are the worst. Overall, Arimidex has helped me feel more like my old self. Just last night I realized it has been a very long time since I've had leg and feet cramps that would wake me out of a sound sleep.

    Good luck to you on the Arimidex. Please let us know how you do on it.

  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    JuJuBeez said:

    I have been on Arimidex since

    I have been on Arimidex since Sept 2012. I was on Tamoxifen for two years prior to that. On Tamoxifen, I felt horrible most of the time. I would catch every 'bug' that flew by, had bad hot flashes, bad leg and feet cramps, and started with a severe case of eczema on both hands and feet. I started feeling much better within a few weeks of starting Arimidex. Knock on wood, I haven't been sick. I do still have severe eczema on my hands and feet. It looks like I tried to put them through a meat grinder. I had a total hysterectomy two months ago. Best thing ever. Natural menopause has been so much easier than Lupron-induced menopause. I do get hot..but not as often. It doesn't wake me up at night. My knees and shoulders do ache since Arimidex, but if I exercise it's not as bad. Rainy days are the worst. Overall, Arimidex has helped me feel more like my old self. Just last night I realized it has been a very long time since I've had leg and feet cramps that would wake me out of a sound sleep.

    Good luck to you on the Arimidex. Please let us know how you do on it.

    My sister takes it

    My sister takes it and says it is supposed to make you cough.She coughs and says it's the Arimidex but the cough sounds like a cold cough to me.She's now in antibotics for that.

    I really dont think the times she's coughing is from the Arimidex it's defintely more like a cold.Her cough isn't dry. She's even somewhat hoarse.She had colds all winter(off and on) and thinks it's the Armidex 

    Lynn Smith    

  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808

    My sister takes it

    My sister takes it and says it is supposed to make you cough.She coughs and says it's the Arimidex but the cough sounds like a cold cough to me.She's now in antibotics for that.

    I really dont think the times she's coughing is from the Arimidex it's defintely more like a cold.Her cough isn't dry. She's even somewhat hoarse.She had colds all winter(off and on) and thinks it's the Armidex 

    Lynn Smith    

    I've been on Arimidex for

    I've been on Arimidex for about a year, Femera for the year before that. Both these meds have had horrible side effects for me, weight gain, sleep problems, sweats but the worst part is the crippling pain I have in my joints, neck, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. Ever so often I have to take a break and go off Arimidex. My onc doesn't like this but its the only way I can tolerate the side effects. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones and be able to tolerate this med. Hoping to hear that you have good results with this med and no problems.

    Lynn, I think your sister's cough is from something else other than Arimidex. I have a dry cough but its not from the med. I have asthma and that's just part of it. She might mention this to her dr.

  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    Sunrae said:

    I've been on Arimidex for

    I've been on Arimidex for about a year, Femera for the year before that. Both these meds have had horrible side effects for me, weight gain, sleep problems, sweats but the worst part is the crippling pain I have in my joints, neck, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. Ever so often I have to take a break and go off Arimidex. My onc doesn't like this but its the only way I can tolerate the side effects. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones and be able to tolerate this med. Hoping to hear that you have good results with this med and no problems.

    Lynn, I think your sister's cough is from something else other than Arimidex. I have a dry cough but its not from the med. I have asthma and that's just part of it. She might mention this to her dr.

    Sunrae

    I agree with you about the cough but she told me her doctor said it could cause it.This winter she's had colds off and on anyway.I told her the last a few days I didn't think her coughing was the Armidex but it was due to a cold.It isn't a dry cough. Not this time. 

    I Don't remember reading where anyone on this board who takes Arimidex has a  coughing problem.

    Lynn Smith