Arimidex

QQN4answers

I have a couple questions regarding joint and bone pain after chemo and while talking Arimidex. I was given a clean bill of health in December after having A/C , Taxol and a Mastectomy. I'm now having pain and numbness in my wrists and hands which is getting worse. Like some of the other posts I have been reading, I too feel like an old lady (45). I have trouble standing up, my joints ache etc.. etc.. etc.. so I'm wondering if anyone has decided to switch from Arimidex to Tamoxafin (sp)? Have you felt better? I was taking Tamox first and had no side effects, but the Dr. felt my chances were better with Arimidex. Has anyone been told the same thing? Second has anyone had or heard of mets occurring while taking Arimidex? Thanks in advance for any info. Liz

jhope

Liz, I am sorry you are feeling so much pain. I just wanted you to know that I experience many of the same symptoms (also finished chemo in Dec) and am not taking any hormones as my cancer was not receptive to this helping. I know they have told me this is not good (being HR negative) but really feel I don't have anymore chance than anyone else of getting bone mets. I just think we all don't know. I am glad you are able to take any drug wether Arimidex or Tamoxafin to increase your chances of no mets! You will get through, it has gotten easier, god bless you and good luck with your journey. Julia

bettygee

Hi, Liz - I was taken off tamoxiphen in January when my cancer recurred in lymph node. I was started on Armidex and had good results, my lymph node has gotten smaller. However, I have noticed a lot of bone pain in my arms and legs, which I plan to ask the doctor about when I go for appointment next Wednesday. I do have rather severe arthritis and I am an old lady (69), but this pain feels very different from my usual aches and stiffness, also, it tends to come on later in the day and the usual arthritis is worse when arising or sitting in one spot too long. I was concerned this might mean mets to the bone, so when I read your post, I thought perhaps it is the arimidex. My last bone and cat scans were clear (January). I do hope you will improve as I have with arimidex. By the way, I was your age, 45, when I had my first breast cancer. After chemo, I went 20 years before finding cancer in the other breast. This one has been a little harder, I am getting too old to hold up well to chemo and radiation. I always said you have to be in good health to take the treatment! All the best to you. Lovingly, Betty

tlmac

Hi Liz, I chose to take Arimidex over Tamoxifen in May of 2003 at the end of 4 cycles of AC. It's been 11 months now and I definitely have the stiffness and pain first thing in the morning or after sitting in one position for any length of time. I hobble through the first steps but the stiffness always goes away once I'm up and moving. I take Bextra but it's not a cure all. Everyone has their own pain threshold. For me, it's an inconvenience I can live with. A good friend just recurred after 2 years on Tamoxifen and is now stage IV. I don't know anyone, personally, who's recurred while on Arimidex but it does happen. An Italian study published in 2002 followed 426 breast cancer survivors. Of the 218 taking Tamoxifen, 26 (12%) had a recurrence, were diagnosed with a second primary cancer, or died. Of the 208 women assigned to take Arimidex, 10 (5%) had a recurrence or were diagnosed with a second cancer. None had died. Hope this information helps.
terri

DJC

Hi Liz - I started on Arimidex in January of this year after a mastectomy and 4 rounds of A/C/4 rounds of Taxol. I am 46 and started experiencing low back pain and joint pain in conjunction with starting on Arimidex - so severe that my Oncologist ordered up a bone scan - my scan turned out to be exceptional for my age - no sign of bone mets, arthritis or osteoporosis. The pain seems to have lessened with time and with my having started on a regimen of Calcium/Magnesium/Potassium, Glucosamine-Chondroitin and MSM supplements. In fact, I'm starting to feel like my old self again.

I have not read of any studies regarding the specific percential incidence of secondary bone cancer in breast cancer survivors following a regimen of Arimidex, but I understand from a number of sources that this type of risk of recurrance in somewhat less than for those prescribed Tamoxifen. Hope this info helps - best of luck to you and to every one else out here fighting the same battle(s). Donna

sassysally

I have been on arimidex for 2 yrs now, and have stiffness and aches. Cancer came back for me on Tamoxifen. The pain and stiffness work themselves out as I move, but if I sit too long, or first thing in the am it is stiff. My story is a different on as I have had bc three different times. I trust the arimidex, although my mom was on arimidex and her ca came back. To me you do the best you can with the advice you receive. Even though my moms ca came back I still trust arimidex. My ca was hormone receptive and subsequently My bones arent as good as they could be and arthritis is setting in my back. I take it one step and one day at a time. I also take tylenol arthritis and that helps emensely. Hope this helps. If you have any other questions, let me know. Been there done that too many times. Hang in there.

sarajane

was very interested in your comments. I have been on arimindex for 14 months and have definitely noticed the bone or muscle pain and the stiffness..thought it was just me but i eeven find it interferrs with sleep if i turn the wrong way. Still the medicine seems to be doing the trick and I find exercising every day sees to help. I tell myself that the discomfort means the drug uis working but I do think this must be a very common side effect of it. Still it hurts-you are absolutely right. think help..I walk as much as possible but you are right..something causes the pain but at least we know the drug seems to be helping us win the battle.....Good luck

SusanAnne

Hi Liz. I had been collecting info about all the hormonal treatments in preparation of my bringing up the topic at my onc. appt. today. I was pre-menapausal going into chemo so I was started on Tamoxifen (I'm ER-, PR+). When I was 6 mos. out of chemo I had them do the FSH levels and it showed that I'm in menopause. That and the fact that my cancer was stage III got me looking at whether I should be on one of the aromatase inhibitors. My doctor agreed. Arimidex has proven itself to be a more aggressive tool in keeping the cancer at bay for menopausal women. I will be switching shortly. Is anyone taking Celebrex along with it for the aches and pains?
Susan

DeeNY711

Several people on the message board who had chemo but did not go on Tamoxifen or Arimidex also have the same type of pain in hips and joints. It seems to abate somewhat the further you get away from the last treatment date, but it can roar back with rain, snow, fatigue, stress. As with all such choices, ask yourself whether it would be easier to live with the discomfort and manage it symptomatically, or live with the consequences of your decision if you switched back and the future did not go well.

marytres

SusanAnne said:

Hi Liz. I had been collecting info about all the hormonal treatments in preparation of my bringing up the topic at my onc. appt. today. I was pre-menapausal going into chemo so I was started on Tamoxifen (I'm ER-, PR+). When I was 6 mos. out of chemo I had them do the FSH levels and it showed that I'm in menopause. That and the fact that my cancer was stage III got me looking at whether I should be on one of the aromatase inhibitors. My doctor agreed. Arimidex has proven itself to be a more aggressive tool in keeping the cancer at bay for menopausal women. I will be switching shortly. Is anyone taking Celebrex along with it for the aches and pains?
Susan

Hi Susan, I take Celebrex for my aches and pains. Oncologist said it would be better for my stomach and he was right. I also take Vioxx for my arthritis in my neck. I still have constant pain in my neck but it's less with these meds. It's stiff in the morning but less so once I get moving. Never had arthritis before my bc, but I'll take all this as long as I'm alive! Hugs, Marie

Vanetia

I too am on Arimidex, i have noticed aches in my ankles, knees, and hips. Especially in the morning. But after going through this i figured as long as it keeps me alive, i will continue to take it. I did mention it to my oc, as well as my primary they both said the same thing, take aleve, or if that don't work celebrex. so celebrex seems to be the answer. I also have an aunt who has bc she takes the tam, she also has the pains. so maybe it is the body just saying we did it.

MMS72

DJC said:

Hi Liz - I started on Arimidex in January of this year after a mastectomy and 4 rounds of A/C/4 rounds of Taxol. I am 46 and started experiencing low back pain and joint pain in conjunction with starting on Arimidex - so severe that my Oncologist ordered up a bone scan - my scan turned out to be exceptional for my age - no sign of bone mets, arthritis or osteoporosis. The pain seems to have lessened with time and with my having started on a regimen of Calcium/Magnesium/Potassium, Glucosamine-Chondroitin and MSM supplements. In fact, I'm starting to feel like my old self again.

I have not read of any studies regarding the specific percential incidence of secondary bone cancer in breast cancer survivors following a regimen of Arimidex, but I understand from a number of sources that this type of risk of recurrance in somewhat less than for those prescribed Tamoxifen. Hope this info helps - best of luck to you and to every one else out here fighting the same battle(s). Donna

Hello. Finished lumpectomy, 4 A/C, 33 rad - the day before my big 5-0! I have not been scared. Have held up through all the treatment, now find myself hurting, fatigued and depressed. (Gained 20lbs. oh joy!) I started Arimidex in March 04. I thought that I would be done after finishing rad, but this is depressing to think that I'll have to feel like this for 10 years! I will definitely try the regimen you are doing. I will see Dr. in about 10 days. Switch to Tamoxifen? Maybe?
P.S. I feel like a creep complaining, when there are folks out there with greater suffering, and of course, many losing their battle.

sandytrif525

Vanetia said:

I too am on Arimidex, i have noticed aches in my ankles, knees, and hips. Especially in the morning. But after going through this i figured as long as it keeps me alive, i will continue to take it. I did mention it to my oc, as well as my primary they both said the same thing, take aleve, or if that don't work celebrex. so celebrex seems to be the answer. I also have an aunt who has bc she takes the tam, she also has the pains. so maybe it is the body just saying we did it.

hello also have the aches and pains. my finger is really bad. I go to brush my teeth or make the bed and yikes the pain is intense. feel like an old woman. I was on tamoxifin for a year and asked to switch to the arimidex for the reduction of side affects. hope you feel better. God bless sandy

tootie

I didnt have chemo but Ive been on Arimidex for 10 months and the joint and bone pain has become a daily routine for me anyway.My legs and ankles hurt most of the time.Especially around my ankles.I also have gained a lot of weight and wonder if the arimidex is some of my problem?My doc suggested the Arimidex was better for me than the Tamoxifen and I trust her but I wonder when I stop taking it in 5 years if the pain will go away or whAt? Hummmn,Tootie

Unknown

MMS72 said:

Hello. Finished lumpectomy, 4 A/C, 33 rad - the day before my big 5-0! I have not been scared. Have held up through all the treatment, now find myself hurting, fatigued and depressed. (Gained 20lbs. oh joy!) I started Arimidex in March 04. I thought that I would be done after finishing rad, but this is depressing to think that I'll have to feel like this for 10 years! I will definitely try the regimen you are doing. I will see Dr. in about 10 days. Switch to Tamoxifen? Maybe?
P.S. I feel like a creep complaining, when there are folks out there with greater suffering, and of course, many losing their battle.

So interested to read your experience of Arimidex. I also was doing well until now - 5 months of this drug and I'm exhausted most of the time, weak and aching badly in my shoulders. Also, I feel so depressed some days, near to breaking down. I want to stop this and either take my chances or try Tamoxifen. Hopefully, not too many of you receive all these side effects.

smock

unknown said:

So interested to read your experience of Arimidex. I also was doing well until now - 5 months of this drug and I'm exhausted most of the time, weak and aching badly in my shoulders. Also, I feel so depressed some days, near to breaking down. I want to stop this and either take my chances or try Tamoxifen. Hopefully, not too many of you receive all these side effects.

I just started Arimidex nearly two weeks ago and it has made me feel exhausted. I was hopeful that this will go away with time, but you mention that it's been 5 months and you still feel exhausted. I'm back to needing naps and it almost feels like I'm on chemo again. Also, it seems to upset my stomach. This is so new, for me, I was just wondering how you remember feeling when you first started Arimidex. Fortunately, I have no achiness but won't be suprised if I do. I hope to counter-act the side effects thru continued exercise and nutrition, but it's tough to want to get up and do anything good for me when I feel so tired.

aggiemom2011

Arimidex

I am so happy to have found this discussion board!  I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in November 2015.  I finished chemo in May, had a bilateral mastectomy and expanders placed in June.  I have been taking Arimidex for about 2 months now and am having many of the same symtoms being described here.  Until today I thought I was losing my mind.  I had no idea that this little pill could cause so much misery.  I have aches and pains, constant fatigue and have become really depressed.  I will be seeing my doctor next week and plan to ask for a different anti depressent (I'm currently taking Celexa).  Just knowing that there are other women dealing with all of this has given me hope.  Thank you all!