CancerCompass message board discussion started by YesWeCan on 3/30/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,22520,0.htm Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ 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  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. YesWeCan Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sounds to me like you're parrotting a doctor or other healthcare person.  Calcium and vitamin D have nothing to do with the hormonal , ageing, and defeminizing effects of Arimidex. Kbcns7 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I'm also taking calcium and vitamin D, although I had not heard about the possibility of it helping with AI side effects. I can't tell if they have helped--I was taking calcium before my diagnosis and only recently began taking separate vitamin D supplements. But from everything I have read, vitamin D in particular is something all breast cancer patients/survivors--and in my opinion, all women--should be taking. It may play a role in preventing new cases of breast cancer and in keeping recurrences and new cancers from occurring. Suzie M Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I, too, quit taking Arimidex just 3 weeks ago. I am happy to say that my joints feel like new again...or at least like they did before I started it. I am hoping the Tamoxifen doesn't hurt me in the same way but I know everyone is different.I tried the osteo-biflex, the gym, the calcium, etc nothing worked for either the pain or sleeplessness...I also have RLS which I take nothing for...I wasn't about to add another med to my regimen now...I kept the attitude that and take joy in each day, at least I am here to feel the pain...WHEN I was hurting...it still takes prayer and hope to see this through to the end. wixy24 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am taking Arimidex also and I take Calcium with Vit D. I also take Omega 3 fish oil capsules. My bone pain has been terrible and I went to the Rheumy,he gave me Colchicine for the bone pain and it helps a little bit. It is a Gout medicine. Arimidex stops product of Estrogen and that's why I get bone and joint pain. BUT estrogen feeds Cancer ,so that is why they want us to take it.  I had a Mastectomy on Jan. 11,2008 with one Lymph node infected. I didn't need Chemo the Dr said but I do have to take Arimidex. All my test showed that I didn't have any Cancer in my body,after suegery. I thank God for that b/c I know he has been with me always.Hugs Shirley ShirleyM Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT