Arimidex Side Effects

klwm
klwm Member Posts: 1
in Breast Cancer #1

I've been taking Arimidex for almost 3 months now but am having extreme pain in my feet and ankles only. Im okay once I get going but it takes about 9 steps before I can really walk. Has anyone else experienced this? Suggestions for dealing?  Does stretching, yoga help?

Comments

  • aisling8
    aisling8 Member Posts: 1,627 Member
    #2
    It happened to me

    I didn't have extreme pain. At first, the bottoms of my feet ached. Then that stopped. But the entire five years I was on Arimidex I hobbled those first few steps after being sedentary. If I got up in the middle of the night, I hobbled to the bathroom, but walked back to bed normally. After being seated at work, if I got up I learned to stand a moment cause it looked kinda weird to limp a few steps. I could do anything I wanted to, though, like walk and Zumba. It was just those first few steps. 

    My oncologist took me off Arimidex after five years because of the osteporosis it caused. Now I'm on Evista with no side effects. The hobbling was gone after a few weeks. 

    Don't know if this helps, but at least you know you're not the only one limping around:)

    xoxo

    Victoria

     

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
    #3
    OMG

    I am mortified to be reading this!  I started on Arimidex 2 weeks ago.  I'm already suffering (suffering, I say!) with neuropathy in my hands and feet from the chemo and I have some arthritis in my feet and ankles. Heck, I might not even notice any new pain, but I sure don't want any. I will be alert to any new symptoms.

  • Teach76
    Teach76 Member Posts: 351 Member
    edited June 2016 #4
    Sympathizing

    I am just starting radiation, and like Peony, I am experiencing neuropathy in hands and feet, too.  Saw the MO on Friday, and he said it will fade as the months go on.  I am also not looking forward to beginning Armidex in a few weeks.  I am returning to teaching in September, and I am not one to sit down most of the day.

    google CIPN - chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy.  For some survivors this becomes their new normal.

    Maybe now that Summer warmth is finally getting here we can find some relief.  Best wishes to all!

    Kathy

  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #5
    same

    oh I have been waiting to hear from someone else on arimidex.....I have been on since January and I have the inability to walk after sitting.  I have extreme pain in feet and hands and my hips are a misery.....all night.  I think moving and stretching does help////well it sure doesn't hurt.  And I have another thing,,,,violent Bladder infections......they come on suddenly and I feel so darned sick.....once I get the antibiotics there is relief......can't help but think this is being caused by the arimidex and lack of estrogen.  I also think I have big mood swings.....sooooooo can't say I like this drug.....prolly not going to complain or talk to onc until the fall......give it a chance but I really do not like it.....

    I hope your symptoms decrease Peony.....lots of good people have told me that theirs did but so far mine have not

     

    all the very best......maggie

  • LindenLea
    LindenLea Member Posts: 22
    edited June 2016 #6
    I've been on Arimidex for

    I've been on Arimidex for about 10 months. I'm creaky when I stand up, too, but I just thought that was from inactivity in general. Other than that, I haven't noticed anything else.
    One strange (and good) side effect is that mosquitoes don't bother me nearly as much as they did pre-Arimidex. Are mosquitoes attracted to estrogen, and when it's blocked, are they less drawn to you. All I know is that in the past, in the summer I might get four mosquito bites on my way from my back door to my car. Now I see them flying around my ankles but they don't land. I get the occasional bite, but nothing like before.

  • Nor
    Nor Member Posts: 2
    #7
    maglets said:

    same

    oh I have been waiting to hear from someone else on arimidex.....I have been on since January and I have the inability to walk after sitting.  I have extreme pain in feet and hands and my hips are a misery.....all night.  I think moving and stretching does help////well it sure doesn't hurt.  And I have another thing,,,,violent Bladder infections......they come on suddenly and I feel so darned sick.....once I get the antibiotics there is relief......can't help but think this is being caused by the arimidex and lack of estrogen.  I also think I have big mood swings.....sooooooo can't say I like this drug.....prolly not going to complain or talk to onc until the fall......give it a chance but I really do not like it.....

    I hope your symptoms decrease Peony.....lots of good people have told me that theirs did but so far mine have not

     

    all the very best......maggie

    aremidix side effects

    I have been on Aremedix since August of 2014  I see oncologist tomorrow and going to see if he will put me on something else or what my chances of recurrence are with taking nothing Have had a horrible time on this drug started out with minor joint pain and mood swings  has now progressed to neuropathy in both feet severe arthritis and bursitis in every joint in my body.And those are all minor effects next to the extremely severe depression and  mood swings My daughter told me tonight she,s beginning to wonder if I,M Bipolar. Never had any of this before starting aremedix and when I don,T take it for 10 days I actually feel like my pre cancer self .I can,T go on taking this as I ,M afraid of what it,s doing to my mental state let alone my body

  • Nor
    Nor Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2016 #8
    aremidix side effects

    Talk to your oncologist to see if there is something else you can take I started with similar symptoms that have gotten progressively worse Good luck

  • jeanniejaggi
    jeanniejaggi Member Posts: 1
    #9
    Aremidix Side Effects

    I recently had a bilateral mastectomy due to three Stage 1 tumors ( ILC and IDC), no nodes, with an Oncotype Dx score of 14. When faced with the decision to begin taking Arimidixfor ten years, I immediately looked into long term side effects.  As a very athletic 56 year old who enjoys skiing, biking and hiking, the thought of taking a medication that is highly linked to osteoporosis raises serious quality of life questions.  Although Arimidex has a slightly higher 10 year survival rate than Tamoxifen (and it is very slight!), Tamoxifen is bone protective.  I know this is a very personal decision based on many personal variables, but I have requested Tamoxifen and my oncologist has agreed to it.  My point is this, cancer therapies must be chosen based not only on efficacy, but our own personal lifestyle priorities. Have any of you ever questioned the osteo-effects of Aremidexvs. Tamoxifen?

     

     

     

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    edited June 2016 #10
    See my Reply under "Do Not Want to Take Aromtase Inhibitors"

    I am over a 5- year survivor.  Switched from Arimidex TO Tamoxifen at 2 years.  No side effects with either - except improved bone density.

    Suzanne

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