side effects of arimidex

Hi!  I was diagnosed with breast cancer Oct. 2007. After a lumpectomy,

I was put on Arimidex.  I noticed finger and joint pain after 10 months. I walk every morning for an hour with  a neighbor.  For the joint pain, I am taking glucosame. and though I just started it, It helped me 30 %.  My fingers still hurt but not as much.  I also went on weight watchers to loose weight and and eating more vegetables and fruits.  I notice the weight loss is very slow.  This arimidex affects my metabolism.  Do the finger walk on the wall every day morning and night.  It seemed to help me. Eat foods that will make your body alkaline and it helps the joint pain.  Drink lots and lots of water.  Go online and type in alkaline food diets.  It will list the type of foods that you should eat to make your body alkaline. For now I am going to stay on Arimidex but at the same time, I  am trying to find other ways to lessen the side effects. I don't drink coffee after 12 noon, so I can sleep without getting up at nights. If I discover any other kinds of relief I will be writing to alert everyone.

 

 

I have been prescribed the same drug but will not start taking it until after I have my radiation.  I was diagnosed with Stage 1, node negative breast cancer in March.  I had a lumpectomy and my sample was sent for the Oncotype DX testing.  I came out intermediate (23) so I had to decide myself whether I wanted chemo or not.  It would give me an advantage of 3% for 10 year reoccurance and I could not justify putting my body through that process for so low a return.  I start radiation in 2 weeks.  I am not concerned about radiation but I am very concerned about the side effects of arimidex.  My oncologist told me that if I have real issues there are other drugs she can switch me to.  She even mentioned  Tomaxifin, but it is my understanding that the newer drugs are more effective.  Quality of life is very important to me so my intention is to switch if I can't move without pain.  Thanks for the tips.

Roseann

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I, too, had severe side-effects from Arimidex after taking it for only 3 months.  My fingers now feel like I'm crippled.  They are so stiff and it takes quite a while before they become flexible.  I was diagnosed with State I breast cancer with no lymph node involvement.  I had a lumpectomy and radiation.

Now my doctor wants me to try Tamoxifin.  This also upsets me as the side-effects seem to be the same.  I do want some quality of life.  I live in a retirement community and enjoy what little activities I can do like bowling, bocce ball plus I'd like to resume my Curves workout regimen.  I haven't started taking Tamoxifin as yet.  I'm checking out alternatives.  Any informatin would be helpful.

Good luck to you.  I hope your additional regimen will help.

Maryann 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Good luck while you go through radiation and arimidex. I could not wear my bra while going through radiation.  My breast was too sensitive and I had blisters under it.  I would wear knitted tops and wear a scarf around my neck and drape over my breasts so you couldn't tell I wasn't wearing a bra. It hurt me too much to wear a bra.  It took me almost a year before I started wearing a bra.  Pray to God for strength when you go through radiation and arimidex.

I too took Arimidex for a couple of years with moderate joint pain and stiffness expecially in the mornings.  I stuck it our for over two years when it stopped working and I was changed first to Aromasin, then Faslodex and then Femara.  All don't seem to work for me any more and the Doctor has now put me on Tamoxafin.  Now all the pain and Arthritis symptoms have gone away.  I have very little side effect from Tammoxafin in comparisin.  They most important thing is to endure if it is working for you and ask your doctor if you are really suffering severe joint pain.  It can be very annoying at times. I hope you are able to feel better soon!!!

I too took Arimidex for a couple of years with moderate joint pain and stiffness expecially in the mornings.  I stuck it out for over two years when it stopped working and I was changed first to Aromasin, then Faslodex and then Femara.  None of these seemed to stop my cancer from returning so my Doctor has now put me on Tamoxafin.  Now all the pain and Arthritis symptoms have gone away completely.  I have very little side effect from Tamoxafin in comparisin.  The most important thing is to endure if it is working for you and ask your doctor if you are able to switch to another medication if you  really suffering severe joint pain that you can no longer bear,.  It can be very annoying at times. I hope you are able to feel better soon!!!