Hi Barbara,
Just to point out, that many women are also fine on hormone therapy & tolerate it well.
Understandably, the problems get reported, which can be daunting if you know it is recommended in the treatment plan.
Wishing you the very best in your decision.
ann x
Hi Barbara. Just wanted to send a quick message of reassurance. I remember the days before starting anastrazole. … petrified doesn’t even come close. When I read all the side effects, I thought, wow, I’ve gone through all this and will have no quality of life now.
Anyway, three months in to taking it … Nothing bad has happened! Life is good. … I’m running again, returning to work gradually and my medication doesn’t stop me doing anything. I’m 38 so have zoladex implant into my stomach once a month to shut ovaries down and put me into menopause. … no side effects from that either!
I know others who have no probs either …Try not to worry … you’ve come so far!!xx
Hi Brenda,
I hope things get better for you soon, I don’t know if I imagine it or not but i think I definitely felt better during the last half of my 5 years. My biggest problem is the sweating as i live in the tropics and my body cant seem to recover well once i get over heated which is often.
I only have a few months to go, then i will let you all know if I notice any improvement once I stop.
Cheers Kar-anne
Ask if you can be switched to Aromasin
I’m thrilled to find this site! I just took my final pill 3 days ago after 5 years of Anastrozole. I had some side effects, although aging happened in those 5 years as well right? ? My LDL is in the high range and I watched that number climb over the 5 years, even though my diet is pretty good, I exercise frequently and am very good about weight bearing exercise, yet I developed Osteopenia in the 5th year. I was through menopause by the time I started the drug, had had a hysterectomy shortly before I started the AN (rough year healthwise 2012) , and never knew from a hot flash until about 2 years in. Some issues with my ankles that have been thorny, and hard to rehab, although with a lot of work they are much better. My doc and I talked about 5 vs. 10 years and I am glad we worked out together that 5. years is enough. The osteopenia and hi LDL threw me. I’m hoping these issues will resolve off the AN and with supplements. I’ve taken a lot of supplements over the 5 years to help offset the side effects. Vitamin E for hot flashes helped a good deal. I’m taking a liquid “Osteo Density Blend” with calcium, Vitamin D, Magnesium, manganese and vitamin K 1. Osteo Biflex for joints and Omega 3s for heart health. Plus a daily vitamin. I haven’t had a sniffle in over two years, which I attribute to these supplements. Oh and that divorce wasn’t a bad idea either! BC has helped me wake up and find a more vibrant life path, and despite the side effects, I’m glad I took the drug. Much love and good health to all! Terry
Hi where can I find written info on the use of Arimidex going back to 5 years as I was so upset when they told me 10 years as I was nearly home free so would love to read the recent research
Hi, I had so many bad side effects from the Aramidex that I got off of it approx 3 months ago. Most all my side effects except the knee pain and some memory problems have become livable again! However, my husband is concerned and so I am exploring “alternatives”. One is Letrozole. Has anyone been on it or know someone?
Thanks!!
Judi
I totally agree …I’m.on letrozole and was started on “accord” …minimal side effects then was given “cipra” . Aagh horrendous …had huge hair loss and blurry eyes and felt like I had an army of ants running inside my body so I now have my repeat prescription marked “accord” .
Yes …there are side effects but very easy to manage after 20 months .
I’m not sure whether to add this but I will …letrozole is used as first line treatment for secondary bc too …which I’m afraid is me but at the moment its keeping things under control so it’s a powerful little pill but I love it !!
Xx
The protocol is now 5 years on hormone therapy for ER+ breast cancers because research has shown that with longer estrogen deprivation these cancers can mutate to no longer be ER+ and hormone therapy will no longer control them. This is usually what causes death in women with ER+ metastatic disease.
Has any one developed heart palpation and anxiety while taking Arimidex . Been o. 2 yrs and have Developed both
I am replying to username “christiane”
I took Arimidex 9years ago and the side effects are still reacuring. I have posted on “ask a patient” under Arimidex twice, once 9 years ago (oct 2011) and again july 2018. I suggest that you visit this sight and see what is being said by “breast cancer” patients who are telling first hand what they are experiencing
I would like to hear from anyone who is this far from taking Arimidex and still experience side affects when ever they decide to reappear. (off Arimidex 9yrs)
Hello Christiane, I wrote last evening but don’t see the post, so i’m trying again. I took Arimidex 9 years ago and still suffer from side effects. They start randomly. I am suggesting to visit “ask a patient” under Arimidex you will find what others are saying. I have had a revisit of side effects going on 17 months now. Have been to many Dr.s and they don’t believe or listen to me when i try and tell (any of them) much like 9 years ago when they tried to tell me it was not Arimidex, and it’s hard to descibe to anyone the traveling pain or what’s happening and Iam suffering terrible. Again visit the site “ask a patient”. I recommend this to every lady that has or is taking “Arimidex”
I am 67 years old I had a lumpectomy in June 2012 some lymph nodes removed stage 2 I have been on armidex for 6 years now. Joint pain fatigue lack of sex drive hot flashes although not as bad as they where with menopause but I took the meds because I didn’t want the cancer to return so if this helped ok I was looking forward to the fact that they said 5 years well when I got close to the 5 year mark I was told by Onc they have decided that it is best to stay on it for 10 years Needless to say I was very disappointed but what can you do. So I am plugging along and I’m hoping by the 10 year mark they font changed the timeline again. Joint pain is bad at times I have arthritis issues anyway this has not helped also no interest in sex at all . Just none I could care less. Just wanted to mention this Thank you for letting me vent
I was told by my new oncologist that the latest recomendation is 5 yrs. Just as I hadaccepted I would be taking it the rest of my life.
I have rheumatoid arthritis so I just thought any pain in my bones was due to that once the chemo was over.
It’s hot here almost all the time so if I had night sweats, I just lived with it.
The studies cited before the new recommendation showed that the longer patients took it the longer they were cancer free. I thought, of course, the ones who did not make it did not count after 10 or 15 yrs. But it will be hard to accept that I won’t be taking it in a few months. As I understand it, it stopped my cancer and shrank my masses as well as kept it from coming back.
I took Arimidex the first year and then the generic version.
I had breast cancer in my left breast a little over
5 years ago. I had a lumpectomy & since the cancer, was small I
chose radiation .
So I took my Last anastrozole 1 month ago & wanted to find out , withdrawal symptoms. Well couldn’t find any . I’ve been looking everywhere & still nothing!
So here’s mine & they only make sense , since estrogens, back.
Hot Flashes life there’s no tomorrow!
Hungry All the time ! Mood changes!
That’s it but I’m Afraid that because my body is now producing estrogens, my cancer will return .
Anyone have any idea about this?
I will be turning 60 years old soon. I have a very active and healthy lifestyle, and I love my life. Five years ago, I was diagnosed with DCIS Stage 0 and had the lump removed through surgery. I underwent radiation therapy and started taking Arimidex. I was reluctant to take the medication due to fears of side effects, but eventually, I had my ovaries removed as my doctor suggested it would improve my chances. My DCIS was estrogen-driven. I have completed my medication now, marking 5 years post-treatment this weekend. I am concerned about whether I will be able to return to normal. I believe that I gained weight due to the medication, despite working out regularly and maintaining a healthy diet. I engage in heavy weightlifting, and my bone density is excellent.
Question, what is life like after 5 years of this mess!? Much Love to all!
1 Like
Welcome to the forum @gladius73191
I’m glad you’ve reached out, I am sure that someone will be able to share their experience of arimidex with you.
In the meantime please know that our nurses are here for you any time, here on the forum on the Ask our Nurses your questions or over the phone 0808 800 6000.
Sending our warmest,
Lucy