Side Effects of Femara, Arimidex, etc.

ladysmith53
ladysmith53 Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Help! How long do symptoms of the side effects of Femara or Arimidex persist after stopping the drug?

I developed carpel tunnel syndrome after 3 months of Femara, saw a hand specialist & wore braces to my wrists so I could sleep at night, as the numbness woke me out of my sleep over and over. Then after another 2 months developed a very painful trigger finger (thumb). I have to be able to write at my job & was afraid of worsening pain as my knees and shoulders were starting to hurt. I was to go off Femara 30 days and then start Arimidex. However,
with acupuncture treatment I am now 80% better & don't want to start another drug until I am fully healed. Per my Oncologist I may not be able to tolerate Arimidex either. She said Aromasin is chemically different & is hopeful that will work for me.

Please let my know your experience & or advice.

Thank you!

Comments

  • aztec45
    aztec45 Member Posts: 757
    #2
    So Sorry
    I am so sorry you are hurting. I am on Femara. I have been on it for maybe 2 months. I am going to request that they take me off of it. My joint pain is in my knees, ankles, and lower back. I do good as long as I stay moving. Once I sit down; it is over. When I try to get up, it takes me 20 minutes and I move like I am 90 years old. The pain is incredible. I have been taking pain medication to get by.

    Arimidex is harder on your joints. You have to be constantly monitored for osteoperosis (SP). Good luck and thanks for the tip about Aromasin.

    P
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #3
    I didn't take these, but,
    I didn't take these, but, wanted to wish you good luck!

    HUGS
  • sausageroll
    sausageroll Member Posts: 415
    #4
    survivorbc09 said:

    I didn't take these, but,
    I didn't take these, but, wanted to wish you good luck!

    HUGS

    femara
    Everybody's reaction to these drugs is so different. I have been on Femara since August I think. At the beginning I did feel like a very old woman and wondered if I would be able to stay with it. For some people the pain crescendos and then decreases,... I think I may be one of those lucky people. My oncologist advised me that exercise is key..the more you hurt...the more you sit still. I went back to the gym and took things slowly.
    i do have other side effects..serious insomnia and I notice the pounds packing back on. I have also noticed some bald spots(maybe not related)..for me however, I think this is a very important drug to stave off mestasis and I am willing to live with the side effects..but that is such a personal decision. Good luck with your choice whatever it maybe.
  • ladysmith53
    ladysmith53 Member Posts: 6
    #5
    aztec45 said:

    So Sorry
    I am so sorry you are hurting. I am on Femara. I have been on it for maybe 2 months. I am going to request that they take me off of it. My joint pain is in my knees, ankles, and lower back. I do good as long as I stay moving. Once I sit down; it is over. When I try to get up, it takes me 20 minutes and I move like I am 90 years old. The pain is incredible. I have been taking pain medication to get by.

    Arimidex is harder on your joints. You have to be constantly monitored for osteoperosis (SP). Good luck and thanks for the tip about Aromasin.

    P

    Femara
    Hi & thank you for your response. I am so sorry you are hurting, it sounds like it effected you so much sooner and more severe. I decided if I need to ask for a narcotic like Percocet for joint pain it is time to quit. I called Novartis to get information about SE's of Femara. The read the 9 pages of musculoskeletal info. It did state if you switch the AI the side effects may go away or be less severe, but if you have joint pain it will most likely get worse. It also said the pain could be transient. I will try each drug, even Tamoxifen. My MD said if you start with strong bones you will probably do well, but if you already have Osteoporosis or Osteopenia it could effect you much more. I take 1500mg to 2000mg of Calcium with D daily, and work out regularly at the gym.

    Keep in touch. Good luck & God Bless.
  • ladysmith53
    ladysmith53 Member Posts: 6
    #6
    survivorbc09 said:

    I didn't take these, but,
    I didn't take these, but, wanted to wish you good luck!

    HUGS

    Thank you. I love your
    Thank you. I love your monkey!
  • ladysmith53
    ladysmith53 Member Posts: 6
    #7
    sausageroll said:

    femara
    Everybody's reaction to these drugs is so different. I have been on Femara since August I think. At the beginning I did feel like a very old woman and wondered if I would be able to stay with it. For some people the pain crescendos and then decreases,... I think I may be one of those lucky people. My oncologist advised me that exercise is key..the more you hurt...the more you sit still. I went back to the gym and took things slowly.
    i do have other side effects..serious insomnia and I notice the pounds packing back on. I have also noticed some bald spots(maybe not related)..for me however, I think this is a very important drug to stave off mestasis and I am willing to live with the side effects..but that is such a personal decision. Good luck with your choice whatever it maybe.

    Yes, it is incredible how
    Yes, it is incredible how different we all are. I started Femara Aug. 09 also. I did request and read the 9 pages of info from Novartis about the SE's. They did say the pain "could be transient". 600mg of Ibuprofen did not touch my trigger finger pain. I thought if I have to request Percocet for pain its time to quit. I need to be able to use my hands to keep my job & I need to work. I am 5' 1" and was 178 lbs before my diagnosis 4/28/09, I have since been eating right and going to the gym regularly, & have lost 40 lbs. No insomnia, no bald spots, but the hair does seem thinner. This drug is very important to me since I am a stage I and did not have Chemo (not recommended) only lumpectomy and rads. I am counting on these drugs to keep me disease free as my Cancer is highly estrogen dependent. I will try each drug until I find one that works. The best to you with Femara, you are fortunate it is tolerable. I went to the web site (Femara.com) & received a coupon for a free 30 day supply. Then I was able to participate in the "Femara Saves Program", they pay 50% of my co-payment for up to 1 year (up to $20.00 monthly).

    The one thing I would love to know is what my estrogen level was after taking Femara, and exactly how much it was lowered. The MD's comment is you know its working if you are disease free, but I'm not satisfied with that answer.
  • aztec45
    aztec45 Member Posts: 757
    #8
    ladysmith53 said:

    Femara
    Hi & thank you for your response. I am so sorry you are hurting, it sounds like it effected you so much sooner and more severe. I decided if I need to ask for a narcotic like Percocet for joint pain it is time to quit. I called Novartis to get information about SE's of Femara. The read the 9 pages of musculoskeletal info. It did state if you switch the AI the side effects may go away or be less severe, but if you have joint pain it will most likely get worse. It also said the pain could be transient. I will try each drug, even Tamoxifen. My MD said if you start with strong bones you will probably do well, but if you already have Osteoporosis or Osteopenia it could effect you much more. I take 1500mg to 2000mg of Calcium with D daily, and work out regularly at the gym.

    Keep in touch. Good luck & God Bless.

    Thank You
    Thank you for your concern and research. Yes, the joint pain hit me really quick. I think I felt it during my first week of use. You are right. These drugs are important. That is why I will request to be switched to Aromasin or even Tamoxifen if necessary.

    My company moved to new offices. There is a workout center there. I intend to begin using it. The cycle will be good for my legs.

    Take care,

    P
  • ppurdin
    ppurdin Member Posts: 1,181 Member
    #9
    Side effects
    Hi,I am taking armidex.For a few weeks i have had insomia really bad.And I have had my hands hurt as well.And it does wake me up when I finally get to sleeep.I will check and see if that is a side effect.I have a hard time with side effects.They stopped my chemo for this reason.Good luck to you. Pat.
  • ladysmith53
    ladysmith53 Member Posts: 6
    #10
    ppurdin said:

    Side effects
    Hi,I am taking armidex.For a few weeks i have had insomia really bad.And I have had my hands hurt as well.And it does wake me up when I finally get to sleeep.I will check and see if that is a side effect.I have a hard time with side effects.They stopped my chemo for this reason.Good luck to you. Pat.

    Hi, thanks for your input.
    Hi, thanks for your input. I had never had my vit. D checked & when I did I found it was low, & I am almost a 1 year survivor. I don't know why my primary MD or Oncologist never checked it. However, low vit. D is linked to CA. Also I called Novartis & they sent me 9 pages of literature about SE's. It did say most of the women with musculoskeletal SE's had low Vit. D, although the Femara did not cause it to become lowered. I've been taking supplemental vit. D for the last few weeks & am hoping this will help to improve my overall health. I was doing great until the carpel tunnel & trigger finger kicked in. . Will let you know how I do with Arimidex. Be Well, & hang in there.

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