arimidex

Arimidex
I took this for one week & started to gain weight rapidly. Also started having hot flashes & bone pain, which never really went away from herceptin. I had 2 types of cancer, so thus the blockers even with herceptin treatment. I quit taking it & feel better & will talk to my Dr. regarding something else. I am here today to try to find other options & see what the feedback is.
Does anyone take something that actually doesn't have side effects?

I've been on it since
I've been on it since September and consider myself one of the lucky ones. The only side effect is hot flashes that aren't bad at all. I used to always be cold and now I'm comfortable most of the time; the hot flashes just make me a little warmer than usual, sometimes a tad sweaty, but that's all. No joint pain, no moodiness. I just wish I could have been the recipient of the Arimidex that was thrown away because my prescription plan makes me pay a $180 co-pay for my Arimidex. Yikes.

elizarose said:

the first day i took it was
the first day i took it was thanksgiving day at lunch time. the rest of the afternoon seemed like one very looooooonngg hot flash! the next day i took it at night and that seems to work better. the hot flashes haven't been as bad. but i have noticed my feet hurt but i'm not sure if it's the arimidex or just me as i have foot pain periodically.

It seems like there is a
It seems like there is a really wide range of experience with Arimidex. For me, the chance of 5 year survival without Arimidex is 56%. I am willing to put up with SEs because of that; and really, they aren't that bad. Like I said, the hot flashes have gone away. Maybe yours will subside, too.

Here's hoping that Arimidex works for you! xoxoxoxo Lynn

arimidex
I have been taking arimidex for 16 months and I have never felt good. First, my bones and joints ached so much I could hardly make it through the day at work. I used to have such nausea attacks right after taking it, but it has subsided in time. Then, the hot flashes started and I guess they aren't as bad as I thought they would be. I stay on a diet so I will not gain weight. Mostly, I am always tired, even tired when I wake up in the morning. The good thing--my survival rate increases so much if I do take it faithfully. I promised my two daughters that I would do it, so I take it every day. Good luck to you. Give the medication some time, and think of the benefits more than the problems it creates. That is what worked for me.

contrail said:

Arimidex Side Effects
Wow! After reading all these comments, I'm not sure I'm happy to be on Arimidex. I was on Tamoxefin for four months, but found out after taking a blood test that I was only getting intermediate results from it, so my oncologist changed me to Arimidex about two weeks ago. I really haven't had many bad side effects, some achiness in my back and joints, but not enough to hold me down. I haven't had any hotflashes to speak of, but I did notice some swelling in my ankles yesterday. I don't know if that's from the medication or just being on my feet too much in the last few days. I feel like some of the others have commented, if Arimidex is going to help keep the beast from reappearing then I'll put up with a few annoying side effects. If anything happens that could be detrimental to my health, then I'll discuss it with my onco. Good luck with whatever you decide, elizarose. Connie

Arimidex Side Effects
I have none of the side effects that are listed above and I have been on Arimidex since May 2008. I do have one side effect that the doctor says is NOT caused by Arimidex and that is sores on my scalp that do not ever go away. The are blisters which then turn to scabs and then disappear only to reappear . New ones every day. They burn, itch and sting. Anyone??? have an answer? They have been a problem for the entire time I have taken Arimidex but I am afraid to stop as my doctor says this lowers the risk for re-occurrence to 3% rather than 46%.

Arimidex
I had been on it for 18 months with no noticeable side effects except for hot flashes, and they came on during chemo, just stayed, and stayed. Then I went off it for two weeks when I had the first of my reconstruction surgeries. After going back on, the joint pain came into the picture. Really only if I sit too long, then it takes awhile to get moving again, so if I keep moving, I seem to be fine. The hot flashes have subsided to a manageable level too, maybe 5 or 6 a day. I also figure anything that helps prevent the chances of recurrence is worth the discomfort. Hopefully you will be able to keep on it.
Cat

New Flower said:

I hope there is a chance having minimal side effects
However does anybody know how to deal with side effects such as back pain, stiffness, joint pain.
Please any advice on Physical therapy,, massage or exercises.
I am transitioning from Tamoxifen to Arimidex. Thanks

New Flower
I'm wondering if swimming would help. I had to go through physical therapy after radation was over with because the chemo had destroyed my nerve endings. They had me do water therapy and it was awsome. Not sure if your close enough to a pool. Geeeze I am back to thinking I need to fill my prescription for tamoxifen, can't take armidex. I am not an unstable person but this topic has me so undecided. guess I will give i a shot. I hope your able to get some answeres on your back pain and stiffness its terrible to feel crippled. Good luck on that

dyaneb123 said:

My ONC. is going to start me
My ONC. is going to start me on an infusion of Zometa to strengthen the joints and bones.
It is also supposed to have proven to lower reccurance stats in BC. I hope this will help
the stiffness. Only time will tell.It's a once every 6 months treatment, and apparently pretty new for fighting the effects of arimidex.You might discuss it with your ONC.
Dee

Zometa
Dyaneb, I just want to give you a heads up before you start Zometa, I was a perfect canidate to be on a clinical trail for zometa. I read the literature and felt like I would go on it. It mentioned one small detail about having dental work done first. My teeth were in bad shape from the chemo, my dentist told me to brush them several times a day, anyway, i talk to him about zometa, he just about flipped out. it does strenthen the bones, but if you were to get a tooth pulled, or in need of a crown and they have to extract a tooth for it, the bones dont heal up. I told my oncologist about that and needed some answeres before starting the trial. She brought in the specialist and she said according to the dentist who is on the medical team promoting the trials of zometa, he said any dental work needs to be immediatly before taking zometa. I said I can't, I am in the middle of radiation and can not go and have a tooth extracted at this time. The answer was, dont' go on any trials of zometa until dental work is done. I don't want to scare anyone but ask your doctor about dental work please.

marywest said:

Zometa
Dyaneb, I just want to give you a heads up before you start Zometa, I was a perfect canidate to be on a clinical trail for zometa. I read the literature and felt like I would go on it. It mentioned one small detail about having dental work done first. My teeth were in bad shape from the chemo, my dentist told me to brush them several times a day, anyway, i talk to him about zometa, he just about flipped out. it does strenthen the bones, but if you were to get a tooth pulled, or in need of a crown and they have to extract a tooth for it, the bones dont heal up. I told my oncologist about that and needed some answeres before starting the trial. She brought in the specialist and she said according to the dentist who is on the medical team promoting the trials of zometa, he said any dental work needs to be immediatly before taking zometa. I said I can't, I am in the middle of radiation and can not go and have a tooth extracted at this time. The answer was, dont' go on any trials of zometa until dental work is done. I don't want to scare anyone but ask your doctor about dental work please.

yes Zometa has its own beauty
My gums are still recovering from Chemo and radiation.
My oncologist said that Zometa or Boniva should be taken only of patient has bone density decrease.
He is against prophylactic use of Zometa.
Swimming is a great idea and it should be good for lymphedema as well.
Probably other specific physical excursuses could be useful.
Does anybody have specific movements for joint paint and osteoporosis?
Please share, it will be for everyone on this board.
Thank you for your support