Arimidex

ladybluepgh
ladybluepgh Member Posts: 76
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi Everyone,
I've been on arimidex now for 4 months...I'm having lower back pain and pain really bad all down my right leg...I've never had back pain before so I think its probably the arimidex...has this happened to anyone else and should I ask for another med?...thank you

Comments

  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #2
    Hi! It's very possible pain is from the meds but pain in the back with radiation down your leg is radicular pain which coul;d be caused by a disc or some impingement. I would suggest you see an Orthopedist for an eval. and then if that's clear , think about your meds. Good luck and feel better. HUGS!! Cathy
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #3
    This has not been my experience with Arimidex~ I have actually tolerated it very well. I second the opinion that you find out if you have a pinched nerve or something . Arimidex does have bone-thinning properties, so it is best to know what is going on. Let us know~ we are all in this together!
    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #4
    It is best to have pain that lasts longer than two weeks evaluated. Don't forget that just because you have cancer doesn't mean you can't have ordinary other problems like sciatica that need attention! A checkup with your general physician just may be in order and then he can refer you to the specialist you need. You could also talk to your oncologist. The fact that it is only on one side makes me think it is not arimidex that is causing your problem, but he could try a drug holiday if he is not sure. Don't go off of it without talking to him first or without a checkup by your doctor.
  • ladybluepgh
    ladybluepgh Member Posts: 76
    #5
    cabbott said:

    It is best to have pain that lasts longer than two weeks evaluated. Don't forget that just because you have cancer doesn't mean you can't have ordinary other problems like sciatica that need attention! A checkup with your general physician just may be in order and then he can refer you to the specialist you need. You could also talk to your oncologist. The fact that it is only on one side makes me think it is not arimidex that is causing your problem, but he could try a drug holiday if he is not sure. Don't go off of it without talking to him first or without a checkup by your doctor.

    I guess I should have made my message a little more clear...I'm having pain in all my joints...shoulders and knees also..ankles..even my feet hurt..but the worst is my back and my right leg..but thank you all for the info..going to check with my doctor..thanx again
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    Hi! are they giving you neulasta? That can cause bone pain as the cells in your bones are hyped to overproduce. Neulasta is a shot.
    I had a pain in my arm and figured (wrongly) it was probably a vein collapsing from the chemo and this treatment it would explode! All the nurses reasurred me it was fine and hid their laughter. It is hard not to go crazy! And hard to know when you should.
    Best of luck and best of information is the combo.
    love to you
    Joyce
  • survivor51
    survivor51 Member Posts: 276
    #7
    ladybluepgh said:

    I guess I should have made my message a little more clear...I'm having pain in all my joints...shoulders and knees also..ankles..even my feet hurt..but the worst is my back and my right leg..but thank you all for the info..going to check with my doctor..thanx again

    I'm having the same problems and didn't think about the meds. I've been going to an acupuncturist and that has helped. Also, I use a cream on the legs with magneisum(sp). It seems to come on more at night and in the bed. What about you. I take several warm showers. Are you eating plenty of veggies?
  • 3cbrca
    3cbrca Member Posts: 206
    #8
    I take Aromasin and have been having new back pain on the right - I've had it on the left for years. I was wondering where it came from - I don't have an answer but thanks for your question - I'm going to ask my doc if its from the Aromasin - joint pain is a common side effect of the Aromatase Inhibitors - but why just the right side of the back - now I'm going to try and find out.
    She
  • ladybluepgh
    ladybluepgh Member Posts: 76
    #9
    survivor51 said:

    I'm having the same problems and didn't think about the meds. I've been going to an acupuncturist and that has helped. Also, I use a cream on the legs with magneisum(sp). It seems to come on more at night and in the bed. What about you. I take several warm showers. Are you eating plenty of veggies?

    yes mine hurts more at nite and sometimes hurts my leg so bad I have to lie on the other side...somtimes the pain wakes me up at nite...I had none of these problems before the arimidex
  • ladybluepgh
    ladybluepgh Member Posts: 76
    #10
    3cbrca said:

    I take Aromasin and have been having new back pain on the right - I've had it on the left for years. I was wondering where it came from - I don't have an answer but thanks for your question - I'm going to ask my doc if its from the Aromasin - joint pain is a common side effect of the Aromatase Inhibitors - but why just the right side of the back - now I'm going to try and find out.
    She

    I'm so glad I posted this question...but I have one more thing to ask...lol..if I have my other breast removed..will they take me off the Arimidex?..won't this remove my changes for another recurrence?..thanks for listening
  • grandmagail
    grandmagail Member Posts: 28
    #11
    I had a double mastectomy and seven percent chance of recurrence. Cancer can recur in other parts of my body and that is why I am on Arimidex. So far I haven't had side effects except for a little spotting and light cramping for two days last week. I've been on the Arimidex for about five weeks. Has anyone else had this happen? I am seeing my gynocologist next week to be checked out. Not positive that this is a side effect.
  • Tigger35
    Tigger35 Member Posts: 21
    #12
    ladybluepgh said:

    I'm so glad I posted this question...but I have one more thing to ask...lol..if I have my other breast removed..will they take me off the Arimidex?..won't this remove my changes for another recurrence?..thanks for listening

    Yes, I have had the pain you are describing. I am a long time cancer patient, no end in sight. I was on Tamoxifen a few years ago and had pain. I am on Arimidex and have pain. My doctor gave me Neurontin to help with hot flashes and it has helped with the pain too. As for getting off of Arimidex, it is suppose to be used for 5 years to suppress the production of estrogen in I do believe the adrenal gland. Prevention is the best medicine so staying on Arimidex would probably be a good thing. However, quality of life is also very important. It may be something you need to think about yourself and talk to your Oncogolist.

    Just FYI, we found that my potassium has trouble staying up, which also causes pain. I am on a potassium supplement, it seems to help.

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