How has taking (Anastrozole)affected your life since started taking it and for how long?

Unhappy
Unhappy Member Posts: 88
How has taking Anastrozole 1mg affected your life?If so how?
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Comments

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    Anastrozole (Arimidex)
    Arimidex extended my life for 8 years. It gave me NED (no evidence of disease) after my 2nd recurrence which was in the ribs. It gave me the time to do my bucket list which I did.

    I think this is an excellent drug. Yes, the side effects can be difficult, but certainly living is worth it.

    Best wishes to you,

    Doris
  • chloe0044
    chloe0044 Member Posts: 1
    Similar drug
    I take femera. The side effects were stiffness of joints and no estrogen (also had ovaries and fallopian tubes removed). Mobic really helps with all over pain. As for the emptiness due to the lack of estrogen, I have started watching Joyce Meyer and getting her Battlefield of the Mind cd's and book. I try and replace a negative thought with meditating on a verse out of the bible. Only thing that keeps me from going nuts.
  • kacee999
    kacee999 Member Posts: 110
    No side effect AT ALL
    The first month or so I took it I kindof had a low-grade nausea. I wasn't sure it was from the arimidex or all the other regular stuff I was taking. So I took some anti-nausea meds for a little while... but then it subsided and I don't notice a THING right now. Been on it about 7 months. I do have some hot flashes, but I can get through those. Actually it's pretty much a no-brainer!
  • Unhappy
    Unhappy Member Posts: 88
    chloe0044 said:

    Similar drug
    I take femera. The side effects were stiffness of joints and no estrogen (also had ovaries and fallopian tubes removed). Mobic really helps with all over pain. As for the emptiness due to the lack of estrogen, I have started watching Joyce Meyer and getting her Battlefield of the Mind cd's and book. I try and replace a negative thought with meditating on a verse out of the bible. Only thing that keeps me from going nuts.

    I had my ovaries and
    I had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed also.Because I had ovarain cyst so since I am 72 she said that they had quit working anyways.At the time I had throught that was were the estrogen came from.But she said our body put some out any ways.And that what they are blocking.I don't have much sex drive but I don't want to loss what I do have.Do any of you have any input about that.
  • Unhappy
    Unhappy Member Posts: 88
    kacee999 said:

    No side effect AT ALL
    The first month or so I took it I kindof had a low-grade nausea. I wasn't sure it was from the arimidex or all the other regular stuff I was taking. So I took some anti-nausea meds for a little while... but then it subsided and I don't notice a THING right now. Been on it about 7 months. I do have some hot flashes, but I can get through those. Actually it's pretty much a no-brainer!

    I have had both of my knee
    I have had both of my knee replaced and hoping it don't affect them. I and so tired of having surgery.And does concern me it took a year to get over each.and sometime they still get stiff .
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    I blame arimidex for the low
    I blame arimidex for the low grade depression, moderate aches and pains, and lack of sex drive that I have been experiencing for the past 4 years. I continue to take it because it halves the chances of recurrence which for me is significant. I will be happy to get off this drug when it is time.
  • Unhappy
    Unhappy Member Posts: 88
    lynn1950 said:

    I blame arimidex for the low
    I blame arimidex for the low grade depression, moderate aches and pains, and lack of sex drive that I have been experiencing for the past 4 years. I continue to take it because it halves the chances of recurrence which for me is significant. I will be happy to get off this drug when it is time.

    Does your doctor seem to
    Does your doctor seem to think the side affects will go away after you quit taking it.Are you surpose to take it for 5years that the amount of time they want me to take it.
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    At the start,
    I had foot and ankle pain. It has subsided. Sex drive went out with menopause. The drugs benefits have outweighed the se's for me and if the new thought of taking it for 10 yrs instead of 5 if prescribed for me, I will. I''m at 2 & 1/2 yrs now.

    Sue
  • Unhappy
    Unhappy Member Posts: 88
    sbmly53 said:

    At the start,
    I had foot and ankle pain. It has subsided. Sex drive went out with menopause. The drugs benefits have outweighed the se's for me and if the new thought of taking it for 10 yrs instead of 5 if prescribed for me, I will. I''m at 2 & 1/2 yrs now.

    Sue

    Hope you cancer very come
    Hope you cancer never comes back .Sure glad to hear your 2 1/2 year out .
  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
    Arimidex
    I took it for 9 months after my first time around with cancer. The pain I had in my feet and knees was so bad I could hardly walk. The Dr told me that some times the pain goes away after awhile. I took it until I couldn't not stand it any more. But I have also heard of ladies that had no side effects at all. Every one is different. I also took Femara, that was no better for me. I then took Tamoxifen. That didn't work because I was on that when My cancer came back....Good luck to you.
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    Unhappy said:

    Does your doctor seem to
    Does your doctor seem to think the side affects will go away after you quit taking it.Are you surpose to take it for 5years that the amount of time they want me to take it.

    5 years?
    When I started Arimidex, the idea was to take it for five years. Now, with new findings that timeline may change. It will be five years for me next October. I have heard that many of the SEs go away once the medication is stopped. xoxoxo Lynn
  • Unhappy
    Unhappy Member Posts: 88

    Arimidex
    I took it for 9 months after my first time around with cancer. The pain I had in my feet and knees was so bad I could hardly walk. The Dr told me that some times the pain goes away after awhile. I took it until I couldn't not stand it any more. But I have also heard of ladies that had no side effects at all. Every one is different. I also took Femara, that was no better for me. I then took Tamoxifen. That didn't work because I was on that when My cancer came back....Good luck to you.

    I'm so sorry your cancer
    I'm so sorry your cancer came back.Hope all goes will for you.Is It in the same breast as before.Thank you for your input.
  • Unhappy
    Unhappy Member Posts: 88
    SIROD said:

    Anastrozole (Arimidex)
    Arimidex extended my life for 8 years. It gave me NED (no evidence of disease) after my 2nd recurrence which was in the ribs. It gave me the time to do my bucket list which I did.

    I think this is an excellent drug. Yes, the side effects can be difficult, but certainly living is worth it.

    Best wishes to you,

    Doris

    Thank Tou for the
    Thank Tou for the information.Was you on it for the 5 year?That sure sound good no recurrence for 8 years.
  • Unhappy
    Unhappy Member Posts: 88
    sbmly53 said:

    At the start,
    I had foot and ankle pain. It has subsided. Sex drive went out with menopause. The drugs benefits have outweighed the se's for me and if the new thought of taking it for 10 yrs instead of 5 if prescribed for me, I will. I''m at 2 & 1/2 yrs now.

    Sue

    I will take it if I can
    I will take it if I can adding new medicine make me nervous.But cancer really scare me even more.Thank you for your input it has helded.
  • JuJuBeez
    JuJuBeez Member Posts: 332
    I've been on Arimidex for
    I've been on Arimidex for two months now. The first month was great. The second month has brought joint pain, esp in my knees. I had been on Tamoxifen for two years, and spent most of that time sick. I felt horrible and caught every bug that flew by. I had pnuemonia twice. I went off Tamoxifen for a month and felt really good. Then I started Lupron shots and Arimidex in Sept. I will be having a hysterectomy after the first of the year, so that will be one less medicine. Some days I'm just so incredibly achy, and some days I'm ok. It's still better than Tamoxifen, even on my worst day.
  • MsGebby
    MsGebby Member Posts: 659
    Everyone reacts differently
    to any type of drug ingested. I was prescribed Arimidex this past March. For me, it was hell! I had many side effects and I just didn't feel good. I stopped it (my own decision) for 6 weeks and just recently had an appointment with my oncologist. I did tell her that I stopped it and she said I needed to be on something to keep the cancer from returning. Her words "My job is to keep you cancer free". My cancer is highly hormone driven (ER+ @ 98% and PR+ @ 98%)

    She said she didn't want me to be miserable so she suggested Tamoxifen. I've only been taking this new drug for 2 weeks. No side effects yet. I do get hot flashes though. Not sure how long before any more SE's take hold.

    My doctor told me she wanted me on adjuvant therapy for 10 years. There have been new reports suggesting that 10 years might be more beneficial for patients that are ER positive. Only time will tell.

    The one suggestion that I can give you regarding Arimidex ... try it at different times of the day. For me, I found that taking it bedtime made sense. Most of the side effects happened during my sleep. There is a build up I guess. I suffered with muscle aches, joint pain, headaches, and depression. Since stopping Arimidex I feel so much better.

    Good luck with your choice of meds.

    Mary
  • Unhappy
    Unhappy Member Posts: 88
    JuJuBeez said:

    I've been on Arimidex for
    I've been on Arimidex for two months now. The first month was great. The second month has brought joint pain, esp in my knees. I had been on Tamoxifen for two years, and spent most of that time sick. I felt horrible and caught every bug that flew by. I had pnuemonia twice. I went off Tamoxifen for a month and felt really good. Then I started Lupron shots and Arimidex in Sept. I will be having a hysterectomy after the first of the year, so that will be one less medicine. Some days I'm just so incredibly achy, and some days I'm ok. It's still better than Tamoxifen, even on my worst day.

    Hope your pain gets better I
    Hope your pain gets better I know it not fun to fell bad.That what make it so hard for me to start taking anything I felt find until I was told I had breast cancer would'nt have know that if I had'nt had a mamagram.Glad they got it at a early stage.Just wish having my breast removed had been enough.
  • mom62
    mom62 Member Posts: 604 Member
    On it for Life
    Hi,

    I have no side effects. Did tamoxifin for five years. Cancer returned. I have been taking Arimidex for three years now. I'm good.

    Terry
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    mom62 said:

    On it for Life
    Hi,

    I have no side effects. Did tamoxifin for five years. Cancer returned. I have been taking Arimidex for three years now. I'm good.

    Terry

    No side effects
    Been on it for 2 years now and notice nothing different. I was already 5 years post menopausal.

    Suzanne
  • Unhappy
    Unhappy Member Posts: 88
    MsGebby said:

    Everyone reacts differently
    to any type of drug ingested. I was prescribed Arimidex this past March. For me, it was hell! I had many side effects and I just didn't feel good. I stopped it (my own decision) for 6 weeks and just recently had an appointment with my oncologist. I did tell her that I stopped it and she said I needed to be on something to keep the cancer from returning. Her words "My job is to keep you cancer free". My cancer is highly hormone driven (ER+ @ 98% and PR+ @ 98%)

    She said she didn't want me to be miserable so she suggested Tamoxifen. I've only been taking this new drug for 2 weeks. No side effects yet. I do get hot flashes though. Not sure how long before any more SE's take hold.

    My doctor told me she wanted me on adjuvant therapy for 10 years. There have been new reports suggesting that 10 years might be more beneficial for patients that are ER positive. Only time will tell.

    The one suggestion that I can give you regarding Arimidex ... try it at different times of the day. For me, I found that taking it bedtime made sense. Most of the side effects happened during my sleep. There is a build up I guess. I suffered with muscle aches, joint pain, headaches, and depression. Since stopping Arimidex I feel so much better.

    Good luck with your choice of meds.

    Mary

    Thank you for the
    Thank you for the information .Hope your new meds work better without side affect.I will half to try that taking it at different time of the day.It good to be able to talk to some who know what you are talking about.I hav'nt got my through my mail order yet .So hav'nt started it yet.