Arimidex and fibromyalgia

sbmly53
sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
This has probably been on before, but I couldn't locate it... I have fibromalgia (also, at 56, a little bursitis, arthritis). Starting Arimidex. I know that many have complained about joint pain - did it get any better, did something else work. Does someone on Arimidex have fibromyalgia and how are you!

My onc definately wants me to try Arimidex first.

Thank you!

Sue

Comments

  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808
    #2
    Hi Sue, I've had fibro for
    Hi Sue, I've had fibro for about 10 years, good days and bad days. I've been on Femara, hormone drug since dxed in Sept. 09. I can't tell too much difference but my onc suggested that I make sure to take calcium plus D supplement, eat healthy and try to get some exercise. I also drink lots of water. I don't have much joint pain but sometimes just ache in different places. Hope you do well on Arimidex but my onc prefers Femara for me.
  • kam92745
    kam92745 Member Posts: 1
    #3
    Fibromyalgia and Arimidex
    Unfortunately, I started Arimidex and was hammered with the worst joint pain--after my already bad fibro had been greatly exacerbated by all the other BC treatments. I've been off it for two weeks, but doc wants me to start again in another week. I'm really depressed at having to choose betwen zero quality of life and a 62% chance of dying without an aromatase inhibitor. Don't know what to do next...
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #4
    arimidex
    Sue,
    I have seen lots of replies to different posts where people have had little or no side effects from arimidex. I have been on it for a couple of weeks and the tiredness is getting better.(this may be from all the other abuse I have endured since october) I have a little joint pain in the am but I don't even take any thing for it. Once I am up and moving it seems to go away. The hot flashes, I really don't know if they are any worse than before. They almost seem to be easing up or I am just managing them better.
    You may not have any more discomfort than what you experience normally.

    Cindy
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #5
    as long as it's here, I'll update.

    I feel good. I waited about 3 months to start Arimidex (I waited for the cold winter to be over). I started June 1st last year. Initially was fine, but then had a few issues with joint/foot pain. Hot flashes were a little more intense, but are back to 'normal' now. So, I've got 3 years and 10 months left!

    Sue
  • waffle8
    waffle8 Member Posts: 234
    #6
    sbmly53 said:

    as long as it's here, I'll update.

    I feel good. I waited about 3 months to start Arimidex (I waited for the cold winter to be over). I started June 1st last year. Initially was fine, but then had a few issues with joint/foot pain. Hot flashes were a little more intense, but are back to 'normal' now. So, I've got 3 years and 10 months left!

    Sue

    Update
    Glad to see your update! My doc. Is just switching me after a year on tamoxifen to arimidex! I am not very good at changes and hearing about the joint pains scares me! Since I already have pain left over from the chemo I think! But as some wise person on here says We do what we have to do so we can do what we want to do!
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #7
    Sue
    I don't have fibro but I do have severe osteoarthritis. I've been on Arimidex since Jan 2011. My joint pain is probably worse but tolerable. By taking the Arimidex I'm lessening my chances of a recurrence. My rheumatologist recently put me on high doses of Neurontin for neuropathy pain. I'm not tolerating it well. I feel dizzy and out of it. I see her next week to reevaluate.
    Char
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #8
    Oh me, oh my!

    I was just researching AI induced Arthralgia and Fibromyalgia and up popped my CSN post.

    Apparently, Arimidex can induce Arthralgia - bone and joint pain in feet, ankles, knees, hips, back, shoulders and wrists. Hmmm... My complaints exactly.

    I'm 60 now and hurt more than ever. Is it natural progression or is it aided by Arimidex? it's not severe, but constant and chronic. Wish I had this info when I saw my onc last month. I have one year left, but it was suggested that 10 years on Arimidex is what is now being prescribed. Schucks.

    Anyone with new info?

     

    Sue

  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #9
    Oh me, oh my!

    I was just researching AI induced Arthralgia and Fibromyalgia and up popped my CSN post.

    Apparently, Arimidex can induce Arthralgia - bone and joint pain in feet, ankles, knees, hips, back, shoulders and wrists. Hmmm... My complaints exactly.

    I'm 60 now and hurt more than ever. Is it natural progression or is it aided by Arimidex? it's not severe, but constant and chronic. Wish I had this info when I saw my onc last month. I have one year left, but it was suggested that 10 years on Arimidex is what is now being prescribed. Schucks.

    Anyone with new info?

     

    Sue

  • anicia
    anicia Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2016 #10
    fibromyalgia and exemestane, femara

    I took Exemestane (2.5 months) and then I was dignosed with fibromyalgia.  For fibromyalgia, my rheumatologist prescribed Gabapentin (started with 100 mg, now 200 mg) and it is great (I don't want any increase in dosage since my pain lessened a lot).    I asked my onc to switch me back to Femara (and now I have a little depression, controllable but depression for how long?).  I think happy thoughts and sometimes try to get involve with happy church activities; otherwise I am anxious, aggressive, paranoid, sad and prefer to stay alone and watch the television.  Lately, though, I avoid people 'coz I get tired easily.  My relationship with my kind and loving husband is starting to suffer and he sometimes think I am abusing him.  I have thyroid problem and metal and screws on my left leg due to an accident.  My faith in God is very strong and this is why I am surviving.

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