Arimidex side effects

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  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    #22
    New Flower said:

    Kay what kind of study are you in?
    Kay ,
    can you provide a link to ready about study you are in?
    Thanks

    study
    I leave on vacation for a few days this evening but when I return, I will look for the information about the study I am involved in and send the info or a link to it. I'd be glad to share the information with all those who are interested.
    Have a great weekend ladies. I am looking forward to holiday festivities and down time in Williamsburg, Virginia with my husband.
    Hugs, K
    I am smiling from ear to ear!
  • Apat
    Apat Member Posts: 13
    #23
    Kiantae said:

    Everyone is different
    My good friend that started her breast cancer journey a year before I did has been on Femara and has had no side effects at all. I think the percentages of people that don't have terrible side effects are more than those that do, so the odds are in your favor.

    My Femara samples
    The Femara Samples that my onc gave me last week are still on my dresser. I am SO AFRAID to try it. I'm very sensitive to meds anyway and fortunately don't have to take any...yet. Sounds like taking the Femara could change all that. I had an ER+ lumpectomy in February, and waited until 3 weeks ago for sentinel node removal & testing...NEGATIVE!! I was given a print out showing that my odds of the cancer returning with no further treatment is 17%, but with Femara or Arimidex, it is 8%...not sure it's worth it. Surgeon and Onc says they will be watching my breasts closely and can simply remove any returning cancer, but if a microscopic cell got loose and it shows up in my bone or an organ, it could be untreatable. My decision is whether to play the odds or just believe that it is gone, and that God is fully able to do better than 17%. My quality of life is so important. I already fight anxiety & depression due to the fact that I'm a widow and walk through all this alone. I can relate to the earlier comments about how this disease has put me in credit card debt for copays, deductibles, and non covered expenses. I don't need anything else to make things worse...in fact, I believe this lowered state of well being for such an extended time could actually lower my odds to beat this! I was elated with the good news of negative nodes and that this is TOTALLY my decision based on the best odds that a COMPUTER can give me...I'm thinking I will listen for what God has to say about my odds and my decision. How long were all of you on these meds before the side effects started, and how long after you stopped did they subside?

    THANKS AND BLESSINGS,
    Angie
  • aisling8
    aisling8 Member Posts: 1,627 Member
    #24
    Apat said:

    My Femara samples
    The Femara Samples that my onc gave me last week are still on my dresser. I am SO AFRAID to try it. I'm very sensitive to meds anyway and fortunately don't have to take any...yet. Sounds like taking the Femara could change all that. I had an ER+ lumpectomy in February, and waited until 3 weeks ago for sentinel node removal & testing...NEGATIVE!! I was given a print out showing that my odds of the cancer returning with no further treatment is 17%, but with Femara or Arimidex, it is 8%...not sure it's worth it. Surgeon and Onc says they will be watching my breasts closely and can simply remove any returning cancer, but if a microscopic cell got loose and it shows up in my bone or an organ, it could be untreatable. My decision is whether to play the odds or just believe that it is gone, and that God is fully able to do better than 17%. My quality of life is so important. I already fight anxiety & depression due to the fact that I'm a widow and walk through all this alone. I can relate to the earlier comments about how this disease has put me in credit card debt for copays, deductibles, and non covered expenses. I don't need anything else to make things worse...in fact, I believe this lowered state of well being for such an extended time could actually lower my odds to beat this! I was elated with the good news of negative nodes and that this is TOTALLY my decision based on the best odds that a COMPUTER can give me...I'm thinking I will listen for what God has to say about my odds and my decision. How long were all of you on these meds before the side effects started, and how long after you stopped did they subside?

    THANKS AND BLESSINGS,
    Angie

    So sorry
    to hear about the side effects. I've been on Arimidex for 6 months and yes, I notice things -- mostly my feet are sore, sometimes I feel incredibly cranky, and I have new aches and pains BUT most of it is minor particularly when I'm walking every day which feels counter intuitive when your feet are sore:)

    I know we're all different. I'm hoping people just starting out will feel less afraid to at least give it a try.

    Best of luck,

    Victoria
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #25
    warrrior3 said:

    Starting Arimidex today
    and now petrified! I met with my Onc for the first time yesterday. The only side effects he and his nurse discussed were MINOR stiffness in the fingers that would feel better as the morning went by and maybe hot flashes!! Since I have not experienced hot flashes the last two years since my period ended I assumed I would not have them on meds. I WAS given a sheet with a list of possible side effects but thought it was just from the PDR like all meds have. After reading everyones horror stories regarding Arimidex I have a much better idea what to expect. Thank goodness we have each other to hear the truth.

    I'm not on Arimidex and I am
    I'm not on Arimidex and I am so sorry that you are feeling this way physically and mentally. I hope that relief comes soon for you. If not, can you stop it and be put on another hormone therapy drug?


    Hugs, Megan
  • Norma53
    Norma53 Member Posts: 11
    #26
    Megan M said:

    I'm not on Arimidex and I am
    I'm not on Arimidex and I am so sorry that you are feeling this way physically and mentally. I hope that relief comes soon for you. If not, can you stop it and be put on another hormone therapy drug?


    Hugs, Megan

    Arimidex and Aromasin side effects
    I am 54, stage 2, breast cancer and had two lymph node and the 1cmm tumor removed in Feb. 2010. I had 4 session of chemo and radiation. I became allegric to the Docetaxel and had to stop the chemo plus, I already had some nerve damage to my ulnar nerve due to pc use. I never had neuropathy on my feet. About a month ago, I was put on Arimidex and lasted about 2 weeks on it before going off of it. After being on the Arimidex for 8 day became depressed and listles. I called my Dr. and he immediately took me off it. A day or so after getting off the Arminidex, the depression lifted and I actually felt happy. Fourteen days after stopping the Arimidex, I began taking Aromasin, 8 days later my neuropathy increased on my feet, legs and hands. Prior to taking these meds, I had developed occasional, mild neuropathy on my hands, feet and legs that came and went. I think I developed neuropathy from the chemo. Today I decided to stop taking the Aromasin to see if the neuropathy goes away or decrease. The Aromasin has not made me feel depressed and actually feel pretty happy most of the time. I fear that if I continue to take the Aromasin my neuropathy will increase. I have also developed mild lymphedema on my breast (am in physical therapy to work on my breast).

    I think I have also made my neuropathy worst by walking on the treadmill. I also exercise with light weights and indoor biking. I use to be a gym rat, now I am more of a gym mouse.

    Anyone out there experience increase nueropathy with any of these hormone blockers?
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #27
    Norma53 said:

    Arimidex and Aromasin side effects
    I am 54, stage 2, breast cancer and had two lymph node and the 1cmm tumor removed in Feb. 2010. I had 4 session of chemo and radiation. I became allegric to the Docetaxel and had to stop the chemo plus, I already had some nerve damage to my ulnar nerve due to pc use. I never had neuropathy on my feet. About a month ago, I was put on Arimidex and lasted about 2 weeks on it before going off of it. After being on the Arimidex for 8 day became depressed and listles. I called my Dr. and he immediately took me off it. A day or so after getting off the Arminidex, the depression lifted and I actually felt happy. Fourteen days after stopping the Arimidex, I began taking Aromasin, 8 days later my neuropathy increased on my feet, legs and hands. Prior to taking these meds, I had developed occasional, mild neuropathy on my hands, feet and legs that came and went. I think I developed neuropathy from the chemo. Today I decided to stop taking the Aromasin to see if the neuropathy goes away or decrease. The Aromasin has not made me feel depressed and actually feel pretty happy most of the time. I fear that if I continue to take the Aromasin my neuropathy will increase. I have also developed mild lymphedema on my breast (am in physical therapy to work on my breast).

    I think I have also made my neuropathy worst by walking on the treadmill. I also exercise with light weights and indoor biking. I use to be a gym rat, now I am more of a gym mouse.

    Anyone out there experience increase nueropathy with any of these hormone blockers?

    Anyone doing well on Arimidex?
    Good grief! This is not encouraging at all. I'll get an rx next week. I had already decided to delay taking it until after the holidays. It just feels so good to feel good again. I guess I'll never know if I'll have se or not until I actually take it. SOME women must do well on it!

    Suzanne
  • filimu
    filimu Member Posts: 74
    #28
    Double Whammy said:

    Anyone doing well on Arimidex?
    Good grief! This is not encouraging at all. I'll get an rx next week. I had already decided to delay taking it until after the holidays. It just feels so good to feel good again. I guess I'll never know if I'll have se or not until I actually take it. SOME women must do well on it!

    Suzanne

    I was put on
    Femara and Boniva...

    I quit the Boniva after about 4 months...my jaw got sore on one side when I tried to open my mouth wide enough to bite a good sized hamburger. I knew jaw pain was a known side effect of that drug, so I stopped taking it, and within two months the jaw pain was gone. I told my Onc doc I had stopped it when I next visited him, and we just agreed to have me keep taking calcium and vitamin D for the time being.

    As for Femara, it's dried me up like a grape dries into a raisin. The initial hot flashes were unbearable, like pulling the plug and leaving me empty and drained - I couldn't even stand when one hit. I never actually sweat, but I couldn't even breathe! Now I just get occasional periods of feeling exceptionally warm, and realize I'm having a "flash", but I just relax and know it will pass in a minute or two and it does. The dryness is the worst, and the fatigue. My sex life is history, cause I can't take the pain, no lubricant comes close to being adequate. Thank God my SO thinks its better that I'm alive no matter what. And the doctor says....another 4 years I have to take this friggin stuff....Have I mentioned that I hate this disease?
  • scout5000
    scout5000 Member Posts: 94 Member
    #29
    Arimidex pain
    I have been on Arimidex for 16 months. I had severe depression for the first few months but that went away. Since then I have been in extreme pain- back, shoulder, hands, thumb, now my heel. I have seen all kinds of doctors. I have tried Aromasin (more pain). My rheumatologist took me off Fosamax (which I am taking for osteoporosis caused by chemo) to see if that was causing the pain, nope. The physiatrist (pain doc) suggested steroid injections into my spine, no thanks. I've tried all typed of pain meds with no success. So in January, all doctors agree that I should switch to Tamoxifen if the pain continues. My onco says that doesn't cause as much pain, I hope that's true because I cannot imagine living another 3 1/2 years with this level of pain. But as you all know, we'd do just about anything to not go through chemo again or have mets.
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #30
    scout5000 said:

    Arimidex pain
    I have been on Arimidex for 16 months. I had severe depression for the first few months but that went away. Since then I have been in extreme pain- back, shoulder, hands, thumb, now my heel. I have seen all kinds of doctors. I have tried Aromasin (more pain). My rheumatologist took me off Fosamax (which I am taking for osteoporosis caused by chemo) to see if that was causing the pain, nope. The physiatrist (pain doc) suggested steroid injections into my spine, no thanks. I've tried all typed of pain meds with no success. So in January, all doctors agree that I should switch to Tamoxifen if the pain continues. My onco says that doesn't cause as much pain, I hope that's true because I cannot imagine living another 3 1/2 years with this level of pain. But as you all know, we'd do just about anything to not go through chemo again or have mets.

    How about an update, scout?
    I'm having some problems with leg/muscle/bone pain I assume from the arimidex. Does Boniva help? I have only been on it for 5 mos, but so far this is the first side effect. It interferes with my sleep, so I'm taking sleeping pills 3 times a night.
  • scout5000
    scout5000 Member Posts: 94 Member
    #31
    Mama G said:

    How about an update, scout?
    I'm having some problems with leg/muscle/bone pain I assume from the arimidex. Does Boniva help? I have only been on it for 5 mos, but so far this is the first side effect. It interferes with my sleep, so I'm taking sleeping pills 3 times a night.

    Mama G
    I started having pain when I first took Arimidex. Then I started on Fosamax and the pain got much worse. So now I'm off the Fosamax and the pain is still just as bad. So it must be the Arimidex. I have tried other osteoporosis meds also. My rheumatologist said that if I switch to Tamoxifen, I won't need osteo meds because Tamox doesn't damage your bones. In January I'm going to switch. So I would guess that if anything, the Boniva could be making your pain worse. I hope you find relief from the pain.
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #32
    scout5000 said:

    Mama G
    I started having pain when I first took Arimidex. Then I started on Fosamax and the pain got much worse. So now I'm off the Fosamax and the pain is still just as bad. So it must be the Arimidex. I have tried other osteoporosis meds also. My rheumatologist said that if I switch to Tamoxifen, I won't need osteo meds because Tamox doesn't damage your bones. In January I'm going to switch. So I would guess that if anything, the Boniva could be making your pain worse. I hope you find relief from the pain.

    Femara has been much kinder
    Femara has been much kinder to me thus far. I pray it continues to be an easy transitiion from that arimidex.

    amazing how our bodies are so different and react differently to the meds.
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #33
    natly15 said:

    Femara has been much kinder
    Femara has been much kinder to me thus far. I pray it continues to be an easy transitiion from that arimidex.

    amazing how our bodies are so different and react differently to the meds.

    It is amazing how different
    It is amazing how different we all are. I thought I was just super sensitive to meds, (have been all my life) but it sounds like a lot of us have had trouble with these meds.
    I don't want to scare anyone but for me the aromatase inhibitors just were too much to take.
    I tried all three. Femara was fine for a few months until major depression kicked in. I literally cried all day and many days couldn't leave the house.
    All syptoms stopped in 2 weeks after ending. Next, Arimidex...forget it, bone, feet and hand pain ( but no depression).
    Lastly, Aromisin..almost the same as Arimidex for me.

    I have done a lot of soul searching on this one. I do need to take something because of the damn 8 positive nodes( my onc's quote)
    I have a script now for Tamoxifen and will try after the holidays. It does feel sooo good to feel good but we'll see.

    He told me that Tamoxifen doesn't seem to have the extreme side effects of the AI's but has other risks.
    God bless us all.
    To repeat what one of you said, chemo and rads and surgery were very do able because I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
    I don't care how you slice it, 5 years is a very long time.
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #34
    Double Whammy said:

    Anyone doing well on Arimidex?
    Good grief! This is not encouraging at all. I'll get an rx next week. I had already decided to delay taking it until after the holidays. It just feels so good to feel good again. I guess I'll never know if I'll have se or not until I actually take it. SOME women must do well on it!

    Suzanne

    I am not on Arimidex, but,
    I am not on Arimidex, but, just praying that you all do well on it.

    Hugs, Megan

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