I need advise

HelenC
HelenC Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
My name is Helen i've just beat breast cancer for the second time. I've been on Arimidex for 18 months and have found that my wrists, fingers, ankles, feet, elbows and knees have all seized up. I'm not sure i can handle this for another 3 and a half years. Has anyone got any ideas or advise? I'd really appreciate it.

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
    Hi Helen. I also beat the beast on both sides. Was on tamoxafin for 7 years and then dr switched me to arimidex. I took it about 6 months and told him NO MORE. My problem was extreme depression, I did not have joint problems. But whatever the symptoms,if they are ruining your quality of life then what's the point? I suggest you pitch a fit to your dr until he comes up with a better option.
    Good luck.
  • Skybuf
    Skybuf Member Posts: 143
    #3
    unknown said:

    Hi Helen. I also beat the beast on both sides. Was on tamoxafin for 7 years and then dr switched me to arimidex. I took it about 6 months and told him NO MORE. My problem was extreme depression, I did not have joint problems. But whatever the symptoms,if they are ruining your quality of life then what's the point? I suggest you pitch a fit to your dr until he comes up with a better option.
    Good luck.

    LOL....pitch a fit, that's what we have to do to get attention, good one I love it!
    Seems when I start talking to "the doctors" now I can cry so easy...they seem to remind us of scary diagnosis and things. My pain is severe from Arimidex....lots are, but I won't stop taking it until they can assure me I need it to help with the HER2 situation....God help us all.
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #4
    Hi Helen! I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years with min. problems, the major one being hot flashes. Then I was switched to Femara and lasted 8 mos and quit because of side effects. I've now been on Aromasin for almost 1 year and feel like you, OLD! I get up to walk and my feet /toes/heels hurt like Hell! Once moving they ease up. My hands hurt, my cholesterol is high so I'm on meds for that, meds for dry eyes, wt gain, and the list goes on and on. I will be finished with a total of 7 years of meds and will stop in Oct. Can't wait. Hope to get my life back. I have done everything I want except tennis because my fingers hurt too much.Maybe you can try another med. Not all meds cause the same problems. I am fearful the beast will return but I don't think I want to be so uncomfortable all the time. I guess it's worth a try. Good luck to you. Hope you feel better. HUGS!! Cathy
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #5
    Hey, Helen...sorry for the troubles...

    I'm taking Tamoxifen, even tho I could take the aromatase inhibitors...except the treatment for both my rectal cancer and my breast cancer left me with osteoporosis!

    If you stay on Arimidex...PLEASE ask your onc to do a bone scan...this drug, and it's family, causes bone loss...make sure you are not trading one trouble for another!

    Hugs, Kathi

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