arimidex

Sheila wrote:

It breaks my hear to hear your stories. I know that I got excellent treatment at Northwestern Univ Hosp (Chicago, and none of the doctors have stopped working with me just because I said I wouldn't take the Arimidex. It is a very individucal decision--everyone's case is different and there risks--but we women have the right to stand up for ourselves. I'm not telling anyone not to take it--I just hope that you all know that you do have a choice. My radiation oncologist and I have a running joke--she brings up Arimidex every time I come in and I smile and say, "Nope, haven't changed my mind." She listened to what I had to say and agrees that the decision is mine. We still get along just fine! I'm 52 years old and the quality of my life is just as important to me (if not more so)than the quantity. That's just my personal situation and opinion. A
nd--I feel great!

Hi i to was told to this drug i had my surgey last August but every think i look up about it was just so bad side affects i like the life i live now i dont want to be a old woman in a chair but when i tell my doctor that i dont want to take this he looks at me as if i were mad and makes me feel as if i am going to die also my surgon you are the first one i have read about who has not taken this drug how are you now how long ago since your surgey.

Carpal Tunnel - YES - I was on Femara for 3 months and changed to Arimidex and the carpal tunnel is getting worst.

Carpal Tunnel - YES!!!! I was on Femara for three months and my left hand was really bad! Now I am on Arimidex and the same problem. I will try some your suggestions

Hi, i am a breast cancer survivor of 2006. I had a masectomy and now taking Arimedx. Experiencing so many different things. My teeth are also chipping and comimg out, feet are always hurting and numbing up, tingling in hands, and arms. Hot flashes and dizzy spells are making me miserable. I am a mail carrier and it is very hard to work. I also ended up with Fibromyalgia after chemo. Is all this common from taking Arimidex????

To all my sisters out there... rest or sleep when you can and need to. Take vitamin D and get a vit. D test. Take all bone support supplements to strengthen your bones. I, too, had aches in my joints and bones. I read about vitamin D deficiency and immediately began 3000 iu per day (some included w/calcium & multiple-vitamins). My oncologist completely agrees! It also may protect against bc recurrence. Within the week of beginning vit. D my joint pain was gone! I HATE the Arimidex because of all the named effects and because I think it does things that are not recognized yet. I've been on it almost 13 months and immediately felt WORSE... especially emotionally. I feel better but it took 9 months and I still have my days. Next appt. with oncologist I'm going to request (demand) a hysterectomy and get off the poison. Blessings and peace to you all.

One more insight. If the arm on the side of surgery is tingling, feels like a needle is stuck somewhere or is swollen... even a little, it is likely a mild case of lymphedema. It can be lessened or even eliminated by certain arm exercises that take less than 15 minutes to complete plus light stroking massage. Ask to be seen by the lymph specialist. It really helps.

i was diognosed 11-10 i had 2 spots 1 was dcis and other smaller was invasive with feelers which they got a clear margin the first lumpectomy stage 1 lymph nodes clean my second lumpectomy only 2 spots to close 2 margin dr said he was sure he could get it this time i asked about a masectomy and he assured me he wouild get is this time. well after 3rd lumpectomy had to have masectomy w/ imediate reconstruction dr says only 3% chance of coming back but if it did it would be somewhere else in my body. been on arimidex generic 3 months,some mild side effects, but from what i am reading, it gets worse, pretty scary. will more side effects start later? i get bone density test 10th of june then see oncologist the 17th, any questions you think i should ask??????? would appreciate some input. thanks

Cindy wrote:

I am also on Arimidex. I had a lumpectomy in Jan of 07 and 6 1/2 wks of radiation. Even though my 1st oncologist said "you have to have chemo" I did not & found a new dr.I have been taking Arimidex since April and have experienced hair loss, nose bleeds,& a severe burning sensation in my back. I am already on Welbutrin so no depression. My regular dr finally did blood work to ck cholestrol levels & they were fine. When I discussed all this w/my oncologist he just blew me off & said the only side effects from this drug was SOME bone loss & they would do dex scans for that. Have an appt Sept 12 & will ck on Vit D. I already eat healthy & taking an all natural vit but very concerned about taking this drug.

hoe is welbutrin?? My doc put me on effixor gor moe energy......I've been in bed! So glad I found this boad...Friends/family are looking at me lately like..now what? armidex is HARD stuff....Went off 1 week ago...legs really hurting me and no sleep, very moody

This pill is killing me, would it be safe to cut the pills down to every other day and have the same results. This would be helpful after taking arimidex for 2 years everyday 1mg for breat cancer stage 2
Thank You

After being diagnosed with a local reoccurrence after six years of my initial diagnosis (I was on Tamoxifin for the first 5 years), and my cancer developed again within a year, even though I had a double mastectomy. I was 39 by this time and still pre-menapausal and had a full hysterectomy, had radiation at the sight of my recurrence and started on Arimidex. I sometimes experience joint achiness. Initially, I had trouble sleeping through the night, but after getting into a good routine, I'm fine now. My bone density is great. The only side effect worth mentioning is a rise in my anxiety levels. Of course, I've been through a lot, as my doctors tell me, and high anxiety is normal. Exercise helps. Re-establishing good communication with my family is also helpful.
Nevertheless, I'm excited to go off the Arimidex in September. I FINALLY won't have to be taking a pill every day.

I an on anastrazole (arimidex generic) for 3 yrs now and just started taking it every other day - contrary to my oncologists suggestion. However, the pill is supposed to last 24-48 hrs so instead of stopping it right now I'll do this. One year ago
I had osteopenia and now it is serious osteoporosis. My gums are receding bad and I have constant bone pain in my hip. I sound like an 80 year old complaining and am only 54. I had stage 1 breast cancer with lumpectomies, chemo and radiation. I take but D.3 (2,000 mgs a day), and 14 other supplements, walk and eat well for the most part. But the bones ate getting
Bad. Does anyone else take it every other day? Or have stopped after 3 yrs?

Sheri wrote:

I an on anastrazole (arimidex generic) for 3 yrs now and just started taking it every other day - contrary to my oncologists suggestion. However, the pill is supposed to last 24-48 hrs so instead of stopping it right now I'll do this. One year ago
I had osteopenia and now it is serious osteoporosis. My gums are receding bad and I have constant bone pain in my hip. I sound like an 80 year old complaining and am only 54. I had stage 1 breast cancer with lumpectomies, chemo and radiation. I take but D.3 (2,000 mgs a day), and 14 other supplements, walk and eat well for the most part. But the bones ate getting
Bad. Does anyone else take it every other day? Or have stopped after 3 yrs?

sherrie- I'm 55 and had stage 2 invasive ductal cancer, clean nodes. I had a lumpectomy and radiation. After 7 months I've made the decision to stop taking it - the pain in my hands, depression, weight gain, memory loss, terrible fatigue wasn't living it was killing me. Its been almost 2 weeks and I've already gained back some energy and am hopeful! Still have joint pain but its still early. I'm taking my vitamins: glucosamine chondritin, D (12,000 units) and calcium, fish oil, b-complex. Good luck!