Arimidex

Hello all. New to site. See that everyone has had reactions to Arimidex. Had a mastectomy last July, then chemo. Oconologist put me on Tamoxifen and I adjusted fairly well. In February she thought we should be more agressive with the Arimidex. Gradually, I began to walk and feel like a very old woman who really needed a walker to get around. Would play nine holes of golf and then sleep for 4 hours! Sad and down all of the time. Tired and lack of any motivation. Dreaded getting up in morning for fear I could not walk. Have gone up in dress sizes, everything looks bad. Just visited doctor again Friday and she has changed meds to Femara now. Has also prescribed Effexor for depression and hot flashes. Oh they are like your nerve endings inside are on fire! This is the 3rd inhibitor. If the reactions continue to be as severe (even taking Fosamax), I feel the need to "throw in the towel" as my quality of life has diminished so. It's enough for all of us to have lived through what we have experienced. The saddest thing is they really don't know all the answers. I am searching for alternatives. Bless you all.

Hi,
Seems most everyone has negative response to Arimidex. For myself, I can't afford to go off of it as my tumor markers are going down for the first time. I am so tired, pain in bones and joints and nauseated all the time as well as hot flashes. Now the talk is of putting me on Tarceva, Iressa, or Erbitux. Think I am about ready to say no and enjoy even a little of more quality life.

I am a 2 year breast cancer survivor. Had lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy and axillary node dissection (14 positive nodes--yikes--very aggressive.) Then dose dense chemotherapy and 35 radiation treatments. Then my oncologist put me on Arimidex. At first it was ok, I think--I was so busy recovering from treatment that almost anything felt like an improvement. Then starting in late fall I became overwhelmingly fatigued and hurting all over. I take effexor for hot flashes and depression but still can't stand any heat. Fat and ugly. Sleeping late every morning and sometimes don't get up at all. I thought my symptoms were an exacerbation of fibromyalgia which I have had for many years, but they could also be from the Arimidex. I have 2 teenagers so I am choosing length of life over quality right now. If I could make it through adriamycin, cytoxin and taxol, I can make it through this! However, I don't feel like doing much and am often tired. I know many who are fighting this battle. It is a very difficult and personal decision. I am afraid to go off the Arimidex. There is no one right answer. Ask your angels for guidance. Know that you are not alone.

I wish everyone the best. I have made the decision to stop taking. To not hurt, feel depressed and seize the day has made all the difference. I consciously watch all I eat and protect my immune system. My oncologist will probably not agree with me as I have not told her yet. It has been 1.5 months since I stopped and I feel 100% better.

I was miserable with hot flashes and took effexor for several years, but hated the side effects. Arimidex causes up to 30 hot flashes a day for me.
BUT ... this is like a miracle! My gyn/onc prescribed megace for the hot flashes! 20 mg a day or space it out. I take 20 every third day, taking it when the hot flashes start appearing again. At this low dosage, the side effects of megace are minimal.
I hope this helps anyone here with arimidex induced hot flashes. I wonder why this isn't general knowledge among our oncologists!
SusanL
lg ESS

Diagnosed early 2002 with 9mm tumor, ER positive. 33 radiation treatments and put on Tamoxifen, then switched back and forth between Tamoxifen and Arimidex.

Have degenerative joint disease, severe osteoarthitis and carpal tunnel in both hands.

I'm sure Arimidex isn't making things better but intend to stick with it for the remainder of my five years....two more to go!

Finally got to the point where the docs are recommending mammograms once a year which is a big bonus.

Looking forward to the day I get to stop Arimidex and hoping that the calcium, vitamins and Fosamax counteract the effects of Arimidex on the bones.

Keep your chins up......remember as a friend who passed away from an unknown type of cancer told me: "Your attitude reflects your altitude"

I think we are all soldiers in this test of our faith in God and our doctors. I have had an almost 3 month sabattical from the Arimidex. When I have to meet again August with oconologist I am certain she will work to convince me of the error of my ways. However, in the interim every day has been wonderful ENERGY-wise. The estrogen is GONE, the hot flashes continue, but the bones no longer hurt! I highly recommend if MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL comes to your area you go with some friends and laugh till you cry for 1.5 hours!