Aromasin/Arimidex Side Effects

I was taking arimidex for a year before I switched over to aromasin. It seems to me that after prolonged use both create the same joint and bone stiffness, swelling and pain. Recently, I have been experiencing pain on the bottom of my leg so that it is hard for me wear shoes. I also get cramping in my toes at night. I really don't know what to do as I don't want to get used to pain killers. I took Darvocet for a while, but one of my doctors told me that 'it is a bad drug," so i stopped. In addition, I am also taking Lexapro for depression and clonazepam for anxiety. I wonder if any one else experienced these side effects. Before my breast cancer the only medication I took was Darvocet, as i have spinal stenosis. Now, I have a medicine cabinet full of drugs and i still can't sleep at night. I need help!!!!

 

On 3/20/2008 Malki wrote:

I was taking arimidex for a year before I switched over to aromasin. It seems to me that after prolonged use both create the same joint and bone stiffness, swelling and pain. Recently, I have been experiencing pain on the bottom of my leg so that it is hard for me wear shoes. I also get cramping in my toes at night. I really don't know what to do as I don't want to get used to pain killers. I took Darvocet for a while, but one of my doctors told me that 'it is a bad drug," so i stopped. In addition, I am also taking Lexapro for depression and clonazepam for anxiety. I wonder if any one else experienced these side effects. Before my breast cancer the only medication I took was Darvocet, as i have spinal stenosis. Now, I have a medicine cabinet full of drugs and i still can't sleep at night. I need help!!!!

I've been taking Aromasin since Dec '07...and experience severe arthritis-like pains.  Joint pain, bones are howling, stiffness, etc.  It is very difficult for me to walk when I first get out of bed.  I believe it is the Aromasin and not the cancer (Stage 4 breast with mets to bones) that is causing the pain.  I, like you, never took any meds before the diagnosis and now have a counter full.  I take Vicodin (2-3/day) to relieve some of the pain...some days it works better than others.  I also take Benadryl allergy at night to sleep (had been on Ambien but it made me feel like a zombie).  I'm taking a low dose (37.5 mg) of Effexor for anxiety and that seems to help as well.  Hang in there and be strong--it makes the cancer wonder what we are up to!

I've

i am on arimidex,have been on it sence sep of 07  i had all the aches in my joints pain even in my chest  my arms legs  ached at diffrent times  during the day but i was told it tkes  6 months on the med s  and then it will stop   the aches and pains and i have to say  it  has gotten better and the hot flashes at night i  have still  , but i have to say the past 2 night s  i havent woke with any hot flashes  but it may change now that im bk home , i had to have surgery again and of course they had me on some heavy drugs in the hospital  i have never tken  the aromasin, i will be staying on the arimidex as it seems to be working for me   good luck

On 3/20/2008 Malki wrote:

I was taking arimidex for a year before I switched over to aromasin. It seems to me that after prolonged use both create the same joint and bone stiffness, swelling and pain. Recently, I have been experiencing pain on the bottom of my leg so that it is hard for me wear shoes. I also get cramping in my toes at night. I really don't know what to do as I don't want to get used to pain killers. I took Darvocet for a while, but one of my doctors told me that 'it is a bad drug," so i stopped. In addition, I am also taking Lexapro for depression and clonazepam for anxiety. I wonder if any one else experienced these side effects. Before my breast cancer the only medication I took was Darvocet, as i have spinal stenosis. Now, I have a medicine cabinet full of drugs and i still can't sleep at night. I need help!!!!

 

 

On 3/20/2008 freeatlast wrote:

i am on arimidex,have been on it sence sep of 07  i had all the aches in my joints pain even in my chest  my arms legs  ached at diffrent times  during the day but i was told it tkes  6 months on the med s  and then it will stop   the aches and pains and i have to say  it  has gotten better and the hot flashes at night i  have still  , but i have to say the past 2 night s  i havent woke with any hot flashes  but it may change now that im bk home , i had to have surgery again and of course they had me on some heavy drugs in the hospital  i have never tken  the aromasin, i will be staying on the arimidex as it seems to be working for me   good luck

On 3/20/2008 Malki wrote:

I was taking arimidex for a year before I switched over to aromasin. It seems to me that after prolonged use both create the same joint and bone stiffness, swelling and pain. Recently, I have been experiencing pain on the bottom of my leg so that it is hard for me wear shoes. I also get cramping in my toes at night. I really don't know what to do as I don't want to get used to pain killers. I took Darvocet for a while, but one of my doctors told me that 'it is a bad drug," so i stopped. In addition, I am also taking Lexapro for depression and clonazepam for anxiety. I wonder if any one else experienced these side effects. Before my breast cancer the only medication I took was Darvocet, as i have spinal stenosis. Now, I have a medicine cabinet full of drugs and i still can't sleep at night. I need help!!!!

I have been taking arimidex since 2006 and have had no joint pain.  I have also been on "Mangosteen" since before that and attribute that for my lack of joint pain.  you can just "google"  Mangosteen to find out more about it.  I have night & day sweats but they have become much less severe and less often.  I use 20mg of melotin at night for sleep and because it kills cancer cells.  I also take 3 tablets of valerain root and if I wake up in the middle of the night, I rub an herbal ointment for sleep on my upper lip with helps.  Most health food stores "especialy Whole Foods" can help you with sleeping aids that are herbal and not harmeful.  Good Luck,       Jackie

 

Hi, I too had same problems, joints, stiffness, depression. Went back to taking tamoxifin, not nearly the side effects that other drugs have. 

Kimarie

I have been on all three of the AI drugs: began with Arimidex, switched to Femara, now on Aromasin. Side effects are the same with all of them. I had horrible pains in my joints, in my arms and legs, at night sometimes I'd have hip pain, and I have extreme hot flashes--both number (40-50 a day at one point) and intensity (dripping sweat, feeling like I was on fire). I've twice skipped my AI drugs for a week just because I needed some relief and the side effects did improve. (So if they ever let us stop taking these drugs maybe the side effects will go away forever!) My onco very much does NOT want me to stop the medicine so she has encourage me to do whatever I need to to control the side effects. So she has me on Percodan 5mg as often as I need it. And truthfully, I have found that I keep the pain well under control with 1 Percodan in the morning and 1 around lunch time. Late evening I usually have milder pain and I take a couple of Darvocet. (I don't know why your doc said it is a bad drug. If you don't take too many I can't see why it would hurt.) I was worried about addiction, etc. but I have never felt the need to take more pills than I need to control the pain, which my onco says means I am not addicted. One other thing that has really helped--exercise. As hard and painful as it is, the more you move, the better you feel. When I can get out and take a long walk my aches and pains are not nearly as bad. We have to hang in there for the long haul, so don't worry about the pain meds. Take the pills, take long walks, do whatever you need to do to feel better.

I am on Arimidex now for about 1 month. I have much bone pain . I have found that Omega 3 Fish Oil Capsules and Calcium with Vitamin D helps me a lot. The pain is much less now. I still get headaches and dry eyes but the bone pain was the worst of the side effects.The Fish oil and Calcium is cheap and they really do help me. It's worth a try,it may help you all.

Hugs Shirley

Hello.  I have been taking the other aromatase inhibitor Femara for 4 yrs. and also experience many of the same symptoms as you are having.  I have 2 ideas for you instead of pain meds.

1. Physical therapy in water, specifically in a heated pool

2. Acupuncture

I have found acupuncture helps and that means frequent treatments, maybe weekly for awhile and then bi-monthly.  Most insurances now cover acupuncture or if yours does not maybe you can find a foundation that funds cancer patients' alternative therapies.  I refuse to take pain meds as I don't want to tax my liver anymore than it's already been due to so much chemo.   I hope this info helps you a little.  I am just thankful that I am still here after having breast cancer twice (1st time in 1989) Reoccurence in 2003 with mets to the sternum. Femara seems to be working for me and I'm living with the side effects!  Good luck.  Hadia

 

After 2 1/2 years on Tamoxifen, I was afraid to switch to Arimidex because of all the stories I had heard of the bone pains.  I already had knee and hip arthritis and spinal stenosis.  I have now been on Arimidex for 9 months without any pains.  We will all react differently to these meds, but don't automatically blame them for new problems.  Be sure to be tested to rule out other conditions.  I attended a lecture just a few nights ago where an oncologist recommended 1)  switching to a different AI to see if pains subside or to Tamoxifen, and 2)  try 1000 mg D3 supplements.  Also, for those of you with severe hot flashes/sweats, after I didn't have improvement when taking Effexor 75, 150 or even 225 mg, I now take 0.1 mg Clonidine and have greatly improved  (no, I'm not normal, but I rave about the difference) !

I have read many complaints on various blogs about joint and bone pain
and sleeplessness in those who take Arimidex. For those suffering joint
and bone pain from taking Arimidex, I have some news. My doctor(s)
recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements which have helped me
greatly and will probably help you. It seems Arimidex may inhibit your
ability to absorb Vitamin D and thus inhibits your body’s ability to
absorb calcium(?) Anyway, get your blood D levels tested and don’t be
surprised if they are low. Ask your doctor how much calcium and vitamin
D are right for you. Also, a moderate exercise program (swimming is
great) will help with sleep and muscle pain. I have been taking a
calcium supplement and about 200 percent of daily recommended D for
about 3 weeks and I already notice a big difference. If you are taking
an aromatase inhibitor, it would be a bad idea to stop without talking
to your doctor about the vitamin D/calcium connection first.