Starting Arimidex Thursday after 2 years of Tamoxifen

JuJuBeez
JuJuBeez Member Posts: 332
in Breast Cancer #1
I started Tamoxifen in August 2010. I have felt crappy the entire two years. Extreme fatigue, bone and joint pain, sick all the time, couldn't get out of my own way. Thursday 9/20, I am getting my first Lupron shot to shut down my ovaries, and I am starting Arimidex. I am a little nervous about the shot and a new medicine. I guess I couldn't feel any worse than I was feeling, but I'm second guessing myself now. I know there is no turning back, and now all of a sudden I'm scared.

Has anyone switched meds like this? What was your experience?

Thanks,
Julie
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Comments

  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #2
    Julie, just wishing you good
    Julie, just wishing you good luck with Arimidex. Praying that it will be better for you and that you will have no side effects. I am not on Arimidex, so, I don't know anything about the side effects. Keep us updated on how you do on it.


    Hugs, Leeza
  • debsweb18
    debsweb18 Member Posts: 191 Member
    #3
    I started with Armidex
    Started it almost a year ago. Everyone's different, but I had a lot of joint pain, irritability and worse sleeping problems than ever. My MO just changed me yesterday to Femara. We'll see how that goes. But from what I understand, some people do better on one drug than the other. I have heard a couple of times that studies show that it means its working better when women that have more pain. Hope it goes well with you.

    Deb
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #4
    sorry you are going through
    sorry you are going through this..I hope it works out better. I just started my 5th and final year of tamoxifen.

    I'll check back for update

    Denise
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #5
    A few suggestions...
    Tamoxifen really didn't work at all for me. The only thing I remember was very mild hot flashes and weight gain. When I first started out Tamo was the only hormonal drug available. Arimidex was a breeze to go through until I fell. I had 3 vertebra fractures from that incident. Those were the days before they knew that this drug had a higher incident of fractures.

    Ask your doctor about bone strengthener drugs, Fosamax, Boniva and etc. This will prevent fractures if you fall. My fall was very minor to have cause the fractures. Bones need estrogen and so when you stop the estrogen, you needs something to make them stronger.

    Femara, I had a lot of bone & joint pain. It was awful and aromatase inhibitors are know for this sort of side effect. Why I didn't have those pain on Arimidex, I don't know.

    Had I been on it longer, I would have tried glucosamine & chondroitin which was suggested by so many women. If you have the bone & joint pain, try it. Ask your doctor first though.

    Good luck to you. I have a strong fondness for this classification of hormonal therapy drugs. They have kept me on this planet for a good 11 years, (it includes one year when I stop the drug in hopes of rebooting it). I hope someday to go on Aromasin along with the new Afinitor.

    Good luck,

    Doris
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #6
    Julie,
    I wasn't switched, being menopausal, I started on Arimidex. Been on just over 2years. I have fibromyalgia and was concerned about se's. One of our sisters suggested keeping a journal so one could track what was really happening. I found this to be a great help, especially since my memory is so bad, I can't remember what I had for breakfast!

    Anyway, I started out fine, but did have joint pain - mostly feet and ankles. It wasn't severe and it has subsided substantially. Hope you do well, still hoping to meet you!

    Sue
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #7
    sbmly53 said:

    Julie,
    I wasn't switched, being menopausal, I started on Arimidex. Been on just over 2years. I have fibromyalgia and was concerned about se's. One of our sisters suggested keeping a journal so one could track what was really happening. I found this to be a great help, especially since my memory is so bad, I can't remember what I had for breakfast!

    Anyway, I started out fine, but did have joint pain - mostly feet and ankles. It wasn't severe and it has subsided substantially. Hope you do well, still hoping to meet you!

    Sue

    I was on similar regimen
    Hi Julie,
    After being on Tamoxifen for 15 months I was switched to similar combo Zoladex shot + plus Arimidex. I had more SE on Arimidex. You need keep walking it will help with joint pain, take bone density base line and keep monitoring it. Osteopenia and osteoporosis should be a big concern. Talk to your doc about prevention of it. You can always e-mail me. There is no SE which I have not had.
    Good luck with it, I hope it will be easy for you
    Hugs
  • Pinky68
    Pinky68 Member Posts: 206 Member
    #8
    New Flower said:

    I was on similar regimen
    Hi Julie,
    After being on Tamoxifen for 15 months I was switched to similar combo Zoladex shot + plus Arimidex. I had more SE on Arimidex. You need keep walking it will help with joint pain, take bone density base line and keep monitoring it. Osteopenia and osteoporosis should be a big concern. Talk to your doc about prevention of it. You can always e-mail me. There is no SE which I have not had.
    Good luck with it, I hope it will be easy for you
    Hugs

    Probably will start Arimidex tomorrow
    I couldn't take Tamoxifen because of other meds I take, so I had my ovaries removed last Friday and see the onco tomorrow. I'll be starting Arimidex tomorrow or this weekend.
    Let's keep each other informed on how we do!!!
    Hugs,Joyce
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #9
    Pinky68 said:

    Probably will start Arimidex tomorrow
    I couldn't take Tamoxifen because of other meds I take, so I had my ovaries removed last Friday and see the onco tomorrow. I'll be starting Arimidex tomorrow or this weekend.
    Let's keep each other informed on how we do!!!
    Hugs,Joyce

    Julie .. Well wishes, and positive thoughts for you ..
    I am hoping the switch in medication is easy on your system, body and soul.

    Gentle hugs,

    Vicki Sam
  • NJMom10
    NJMom10 Member Posts: 176
    #10
    Was on Tamox for 1 year then switched to Armidex
    Hi Julie,
    I took Tamoxifen for 1 year, started just as I started radiation. I had mild joint pain, confusion, not flashes and severe fatigue while on it, but for the most part, it wasn't too bad. When I became fully menopausal, I asked the onc to put me on Arimidex (I wasn't keen on the side effect from Tamox of increased risk of uterine cancer so I wanted to switch as soon as possible). The only thing I really experienced was an increased intensity of the hot flashes. They came on much stronger and more often, and I had 'night sweats', waking up drenched, more often also.

    In the past 2 months, I started a regimen at the gym again. I go 5-6 times per week and try to do strength training 2-3 times per week also. Except for some joint pain and mild hot flashes, all the other side effects from Arimidex subsided. It took 2 months for me to get to a level of exercise where I feel strong again. Literally when I first started, I was pulling myself up and down the stairs to that gym. I was that weak and out of shape from the past 2 years of treatment and recovery.

    So good luck. If you start to feel intense side effects, give exercise a try. It does seem to help a lot.
    Barbara
  • Pinky68
    Pinky68 Member Posts: 206 Member
    #11
    NJMom10 said:

    Was on Tamox for 1 year then switched to Armidex
    Hi Julie,
    I took Tamoxifen for 1 year, started just as I started radiation. I had mild joint pain, confusion, not flashes and severe fatigue while on it, but for the most part, it wasn't too bad. When I became fully menopausal, I asked the onc to put me on Arimidex (I wasn't keen on the side effect from Tamox of increased risk of uterine cancer so I wanted to switch as soon as possible). The only thing I really experienced was an increased intensity of the hot flashes. They came on much stronger and more often, and I had 'night sweats', waking up drenched, more often also.

    In the past 2 months, I started a regimen at the gym again. I go 5-6 times per week and try to do strength training 2-3 times per week also. Except for some joint pain and mild hot flashes, all the other side effects from Arimidex subsided. It took 2 months for me to get to a level of exercise where I feel strong again. Literally when I first started, I was pulling myself up and down the stairs to that gym. I was that weak and out of shape from the past 2 years of treatment and recovery.

    So good luck. If you start to feel intense side effects, give exercise a try. It does seem to help a lot.
    Barbara

    Onco gave me Arimidex today
    NJMom10 glad you are doing well! I'm starting on Arimidex tomorrow and hoping the side effects will be ok.....I also joined a gym and will start working out to strenghten muscles..Your experience with these two things are exactly what I needed to hear!



    JuJubeez----How are you doing? Did you get the shot and start the Arimidex yet? When you get a chance, let us know how your doing!
    Big Hugs,
    Joyce
  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
    #12
    Hi Julie, I'm triple
    Hi Julie, I'm triple negative so I don't know these meds but have you in my thoughts and prayers :)
    Miles of Love,
    Kari
  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
    #13
    Hi Julie, I'm triple
    Hi Julie, I'm triple negative so I don't know these meds but have you in my thoughts and prayers :)
    Miles of Love,
    Kari
  • DiggityDawn
    DiggityDawn Member Posts: 4
    #14
    Arimidex
    Julie,

    I was on Tamoxifen for 4 yrs. then they discovered my cancer had metastasized. They started me on Lupron shots and changed me to Arimidex. A few things....first how good is your insurance? The Lupron shots ran $6000.00 each shot and I was getting them every 3 months. I had to pay $2000.00 each time! So, I'd check to see how much your insurance is going to pay. I talked to my dr. about alternatives and he said he wouldn't suggest removing my ovaries, I don't remember why. I did this for a year and my bone pain increased and the hot flashes were ALL the time. I switched dr.s and the first thing she did was scheduled a surgery to remove my ovaries! It was the best thing. Not only do we not have to pay $10,000. every year but hot flashes have calmed down. I'm still on Arimidex and bone pain is still increasing but now all my joints are swollen and hurt. In the morning i have to wait till my pain meds kick in just to get out of bed which takes about an hour. I have to crack all my knuckles to be able to move my fingers. I wish I had better news for you but for me Arimidex is horrible. I hope it goes better for you.

    Dawn
  • JuJuBeez
    JuJuBeez Member Posts: 332
    #15
    Thanks, Ladies. I appreciate
    Thanks, Ladies. I appreciate everyone's comments. I did get the first shot in my hiney yesterday. I was nervous for nothing. It didn't hurt. I did get a bad headache yesterday, but I'm not sure if it was from Lupron or stress. I took my first Arimidex last night. I've felt okay today... no hotter or stiffer than usual. I have been going to the gym for the past couple months. I wasn't doing that with Tamoxifen. I'm hoping it will make a positive difference with the Arimidex. I will have my ovaries removed, but I asked if they would wait until I do a 12-week Biggest Loser competition at the gym. LOL. And my insurance is great, thank God. All I paid for the biopsies, surgery, and radiation was 10.00 office co-pays. No labs. My Arimidex is 10.00. I don't know yet how much the shot will be. I was pretty miserable most of the time on Tamoxifen.

    Thanks again for your replies. I really appreciate hearing from all of you.
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #16
    Julie... I have been on
    Julie... I have been on Tamoxifen for the past two years. There is no way of knowing how one will react to a drug until one starts taking it. Let us know how things go for you with Lupron and Arimidex.

    Take care.
  • MsGebby
    MsGebby Member Posts: 659
    #17
    debsweb18 said:

    I started with Armidex
    Started it almost a year ago. Everyone's different, but I had a lot of joint pain, irritability and worse sleeping problems than ever. My MO just changed me yesterday to Femara. We'll see how that goes. But from what I understand, some people do better on one drug than the other. I have heard a couple of times that studies show that it means its working better when women that have more pain. Hope it goes well with you.

    Deb

    OMgoodness
    You read that??? Sheet!!! I hate taking anything to be honest. The Arimidex is causing joint pain and muscle aches AND irritability AND sleeping probs. Now if it could fix my attitude problem! LOL

    I've been on it for 6 months now and I can honestly say I don't think I will be taking this stuff for 5 years. It's really hard to deal with.
  • Compromising2
    Compromising2 Member Posts: 16
    #18
    I've been on tamoxifin for
    I've been on tamoxifin for about five months. The hot flashes are devastating. I started take black cohosh and that helps. I do experience joint pain. I try to walk frequently because it seems to help the pain. I wish you the best with your switch and hope that the side effects few and mild.
  • Ryleee
    Ryleee Member Posts: 1
    #19
    that's about the same time I
    that's about the same time I started Tamoxifen. I'm gaining so much weight and I'm also sick all the time...please keep me posted on how you do with this new experience.....
  • jennytwist
    jennytwist Member Posts: 896
    #20
    Ryleee said:

    that's about the same time I
    that's about the same time I started Tamoxifen. I'm gaining so much weight and I'm also sick all the time...please keep me posted on how you do with this new experience.....

    Hi Julie
    Hope you are feeling better every day!
    I was on tamoxifen for almost a year - the chemo put me into instant menopause but they had me on the tamoxifen for my first year out.
    I have just been switched from Arimedex to Aromasin to hopefully help with joint pain. I already have osteoarthritis so my Dr said it may be litte worse. I've been told to keep moving, which is sometimes really hard to do when it's hard to walk - but - it does help and keeps you from being too stiff to walk! If I sit tool long at work my knees don't bend when I stand up too easily but if it all keeps the beast at bay it's worth it!
    I think we all react differently to meds so I'm hoping you feel much better on this.
    I'm keeping you in my prayers!
    much love,
    Jenny
    p.s. hows your little one doing?
  • debsweb18
    debsweb18 Member Posts: 191 Member
    #21
    MsGebby said:

    OMgoodness
    You read that??? Sheet!!! I hate taking anything to be honest. The Arimidex is causing joint pain and muscle aches AND irritability AND sleeping probs. Now if it could fix my attitude problem! LOL

    I've been on it for 6 months now and I can honestly say I don't think I will be taking this stuff for 5 years. It's really hard to deal with.

    I certainly did MsGebby!
    A couple of times. Maybe on this board. I was on Arimidex for almost a year. No change from switching to Femara yet. I'm suppose to take it for 7-8 years. YIKES! I don't think I'll ever get a good night sleep and not wake feeling tired. If only I can retire so I can sleep in as long as I want! Just keep telling yourself, it hurts, it works, it hurts, it works! LOL I feel like an old lady when I stand up. Oh yeah I'm almost an old lady. Nah, can't be.

    Deb

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