I didn't know whre to put this post. I had breast cancer 3 years ago.
I think because of the side effects of the drug I'm on I need emotional support. So I've posted here. But any one on Arimidex , please read up on it.
I see alot of posts on arimidex. Some of the side effects are minimal. Some are hard to manage. If you read the insert with the package they list various and numerous ones but that you probably won't experience them all.
I was diagnosed in 2005 with bilateral Lobular carcinoma. Extensive lymph node involvment. Chemo, radiation and now the pill from hell. Arimidex.
I think over the past 3 years I've experienced all of the side affects listed in the brouchure and online. Lately a feeling of emptiness leads to think its the depression this drug can cause. My joints are stiff. My muscles are not only painful, I find I'm now weak. I'm fatigued but can't sleep,, I can't even nap. I've gained weight. My hair has thined, Sleep deprived, in pain and now depressed I'm not sure where to turn. My oncologist just says I have to suck it up. I have to take this drug. At 44 they took my ovaries and left me post menopausal so I could take this glorious drug. On top of it all I have severe racing heart episodes that make me lay on the floor at work beside my desk. Thank god no one works with me. I'm seeing a cardiologist who is telling me my heart is strong,, and he wouldn't worry about it. I can no longer climb the 30 stairs to my office without extreme leg weakness at the top. I have no sex drive. I have no feelings at all anymore. I love my husband and he's been a great partner but I feel now like he'd be better off with someone else. I'm in tears right now and sitting at my desk wondering how much longer I can pretend I'm ok and keep coming back to work and keep smiling at the husband that still looks at me like the girl he met 5 years ago.
I feel like if I give up my daily routine that I'm somehow giving in to this disease. (then the inevitable will happen) My family doc throws mild anti depressants at me. Tells me I don't need a phyciatrist,, that I just need him but its not enough. I need someone to tell me what I should do,, or someone to sneak up behind me and end it for me with a club lol All the Arimidex studies only go up to 5 years with a sharp decline in the survival of the origianl 3000 odd women studied. Did they all die anyway.?? If so,, I'd rather live pain free and happy for my remaining 2 years.. But if they could tell me I'd live 30 more years of course I'd try to sit it out on the drug. But I'll tell anyone thats going to take it to push the doctor to give some recourse as what you should do when all of this happens. On top of the cancer diagnosis I'm now empty,, with no joy,, in pain and frightened of my own end.
Good luck to all of you. This is the worse case scenerio so I hope it makes someone feel better that they aren't as bad off as me. I think thats mostly why I wrote it. I want to see a light at the end of this tunnel.. but I can only see doom and gloom. sorry girl friends. I need to be cheered up.