I am 55 and had primary breast cancer nearly four years ago, had mastectomy and then went on Tamoxifen. After 18 months of fairly constant bleedng had a complete hysterectomy including ovaries removed.I started arimidex then and have been on it for 2 yrs with no let up in hot flushes / sweats regularly throughout the day and night. I cant go on HRT due to the breast cancer but feel desperate at times. I am a teacher and find it exhausting. I also get joint pain. Can anyone tell me whether the hot sweats are the menopause or the Arimidex, and will my body eventually adjust to the arimidex and the flushes stop or will I have to put up with it for 5 yrs? Is there a better alternative to Arimidex or should I ask to try Tamoxifen again ? bean
Hi bean
Welcome to the forums. Whilst you wait for the other users to reply with their advice and experiences you may find it helpful to read the BCC fact sheet on arimidex. If you would like a copy just follow this link:-
breastcancercare.org.uk/upload/pdf/LP_-_Arimidex_ERJ.pdf
I hope you find it helpful.
Kind regards
Sam (BCC Facilitator)
Hello
I had my first diagnoses back in 1985, had lumpectomy and rads then, it couldn’t have been common place to give hormone therapy as I didn’t have it and had never heard of it. I was fine till 4 years ago when I had a recurrence when I had a mastectomy with reconstruction and was given tamoxifen, I didn’t get on very well with it and being the grand old age of 58 I was changed to Arimidex, didn’t far much better on that and found I had lots of hot flushes so after a lot of thought I decided to stop taking it.
Well I have had a further recurrence and this time have been given Fermara, I have been taking it for 5 weeks now and haven’t had any hot flushes but my joints hurt occasionally especially first thing in the morning. I know that unless the side effects of unbearable I will have to continue this time as the cancer coming back has given me a real fright. I can have rads again this time as it is on the other side but if it happens again I may not have so many options.
Good look, its really strange that the same pill can effect us all so differently.
Best wishes.
Jan