CancerCompass message board discussion started by Titta on 4/30/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23602,0.htm Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006.  I also carry the BCRA gene so I was not surprised when I was diagnosed.  If I had not been so vain I would have had my breast removed before I got cancer.  Thank God it was the BEST possible diagnosis if one has to get cancer.  I had a 14 hour surgery for removal of both breast and reconstruction.  I did not need chemo.  One of my daughters carry the gene so of course I worry constantly about her..She is now 25 years old and does not want any radical surgeries. I am taking Arimidex and have been told I will need to take it for 5 years. Has anyone taken the Arimidex, if so how long, has it been beneficial and have you experienced any horrible side affects.  Titta Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Arimidex stops the production of Estrogen.and yes it has bad side effects. Estrogen feeds Cancer.My bones and joints hurt so bad I can hardly walk. Thinning hair is another side effect.I have been having a tooth ache too.I started Arimidex in  March 2008.You may get some or all of the side effects. Estrogen builds strong bones and teeth. So you know how that recks our system!There are many on this board taking Aromatase Inhibitors and they all work much the same way. Hugs Shirley On 4/30/2008 Titta wrote:I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006.  I also carry the BCRA gene so I was not surprised when I was diagnosed.  If I had not been so vain I would have had my breast removed before I got cancer.  Thank God it was the BEST possible diagnosis if one has to get cancer.  I had a 14 hour surgery for removal of both breast and reconstruction.  I did not need chemo.  One of my daughters carry the gene so of course I worry constantly about her..She is now 25 years old and does not want any radical surgeries. I am taking Arimidex and have been told I will need to take it for 5 years. Has anyone taken the Arimidex, if so how long, has it been beneficial and have you experienced any horrible side affects.    ShirleyM Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi! I am a 2 year survivor. I have stage IIB, estrogen +, HER2NEU + breast cancer. I have been taking Arimidex for one year now and have some side effects, but none so bad that I would stop taking it. My doctor tells me that the benefits outway the side effects for me. I do have joint and bone pain, and my cholesterol is now high. I also get hot flashes, but they are tolerable. Hopefully you side effects will not  be too bad and you will have success with the medication. I wish you much luck. donnalynn Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Here is some information that should be helpful to all of the above with breast cancer. http://www.cancercompass.com/cancer-news/1,12705,00.htm Shemay Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Pay really close attention to those side effects--you may want to even journal them daily.  If you find it to be just unbearable, you will then have some good data to share with your doctor.  I was on Aromasin for about 6 to 8 weeks about a year ago.  My ahces in my hands and feet (particularly when getting up in the morning) were just shocking to me.  I felt like I was 150 yrs. old.  It did not get better for me and my doc put me back on the tamoxifen---which on Aug. 9th I will take my last tamoxifen pill.  BUT----there many on this site that have said that they had no side effects from the inhibitors.  Isn't it curious how the human back can react in so many different ways.  Each one of us is definitely unique! Kittycath Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT