Arimidex for Breast Cancer User Reviews (Page 3)

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2022

"Invasive ductal carcinoma, HER2+, stage 1. Surgery to remove the tumor in April 2021 and 9 weeks of radiation finished in June 2021. I just started this medication in April 2022 because I could not get estrogen down naturally with the help of integrative medicine. I’ve read so many negative posts about the medication, so I was trying everything to avoid it. Lots and lots of pressure from oncology. I decided to start on 1/2 a pill and adjust to the medication side effects. They are real: joint pain, mood swings, and hot flashes. I am going to have my estrogen tested again and see if it’s low enough to continue with the 1/2 dose. Not sure what the future holds with this medication, but after trying alternatives, I felt like there wasn’t much choice. Try it slow. My oncologist did say you can take 1/2 a pill or one every other day, women are doing doses differently, it just may extend the amount of time you take it."

• CKa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 19, 2021

"I have been on Arimidex for one year now. Side effects like everyone else are the bone and muscle pain, hot flashes, insomnia, and just now taking B-6 for the muscles, vitamin D, and calcium for the bones and a probiotic for the stomach/gastro issues. Bought a new bed, see a chiropractor once a month, etc. So many life changes just to be able to tolerate this med. As a person with high blood pressure to start with and on an HBP med, about 10 months in my BP started to climb. I was doing all the same things every day. Walking, green tea, beet juice, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and by the time I was 11 months in it was 179/109. Stopped the Arimidex for 2 weeks, and it's down to 135/81. I am NOT crazy...I really think it is increasing my blood pressure. Going to start the Arimidex again for a week and see what happens. Hoping for the best! Stay strong everyone, this too shall pass :)"

• DEM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2023

"I stopped taking Arimidex after 6 months. The joint pain in my hands was intolerable, even with prescription pain medications and medical marijuana. I was also incredibly itchy and had other skin problems, including recurring boils on my neck and blotchy red rashes on my face. I'm 72, and I can't stand the thought of living like that for years. I'd rather enjoy the time I have left."

• Rho...
• December 15, 2022

"Arimidex gave me severe bone and joint pain, so much so that I could hardly walk. I stopped taking it weeks ago and now am on prednisone to stop arthritis (bone pain) from it. The prednisone is helping decrease pain and stiffness, but it is not completely gone yet. This pill is so strong, or at least for me, was not worth taking."

• Gra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 10, 2023

"I’m 70 years of age and have been taking Arimidex for 7 months. I have had upper joint, wrist, and bone pain, and my Raynaud's disorder intensified to the point I sleep little, and now sleep wearing thick gloves and socks. I had a partial bilateral mastectomy for stage 1 E/P positive. I am able to work out now, but my upper joint pain is intense. I had Covid lasting about four weeks, only to get Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), therefore, being on steroids twice, which I think helped my joint pain. Not sure what’s next, but take care of everyone and be good to yourself."

• lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2021

"Have been taking 1 mg daily for a week. So far, only mild hot flashes and maybe a knee twinge a couple of times [and I had problems with knee tendons previously]. I walk 1-2 miles a day and work out with light weights, and so far have had no problems with either. I already had mild osteoporosis and had another baseline DXA scan prior to starting anastrozole [the generic name for Arimidex]. Won't know how the drug affects my bone strength for a while."

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 7, 2021

"First 6 months hand/severe arm and shoulder pain at night that would wake me up and continue for a while and trigger thumb. I’ve been on it for 8 years, and symptoms went away after that initial period. God bless all of you, and try to stick it out, symptoms get better, I think, when your body gets used to it."

• Lul...
• September 18, 2022

"I have been on it for almost 3 years now. I also need infusions for osteopenia. I'm an avid runner and have continued with my routine. It's more difficult to get out of bed due to poor sleep, fatigue, and knee pain. I force myself to keep up my routine and have managed to still run 50k races on a regular basis. It's worst in the mornings, but you need to get your body moving. I know the low estrogen is causing a lot of side effects also, but at my age (57), that was bound to happen anyway. To me, fatigue and bone pain are minor compared to the cancer returning. I know so many women that stopped taking it or never took it, and their cancer returned around the 10-year mark. What if you stop the meds early and your cancer returns? (granted, it can still return if you take the meds)"

• Mst...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 9, 2023

"I was diagnosed with stage 1, grade 2 triple-negative breast cancer in October of 2018. I had a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. I started Arimidex in October 2019. The side effects have been many. I have had severe joint pain, insomnia, severe hot flashes, weight gain, memory loss, dry skin, some dizziness, dry eyes, and I’m sure many more I’ve gotten used to. In October, I will have taken it for 4 years. Though I have suffered through this, I feel that I can handle one more year (I hope). I was put on gabapentin for joint pain and hot flashes, but I feel it is no longer working and have slowly gone off this medication. My recurrence rate, I’m told, is 2%. I am going to revisit my symptoms again at my next oncology appointment. I am forever grateful to still be alive, and though the side effects are, some days, unbearable, I will remain on anastrozole as long as my physician recommends."

• ptt...
• February 1, 2013

"I took Arimidex for 5 years and I've been cancer-free for over 6 years now."

• rod...
• February 25, 2008

"Debilitating joint and bone pain forced me off this medication. Had to be treated as if the pain was rheumatoid arthritis. Very severe. I have read many other stories similar to mine."

• Sug...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 14, 2014

"Taking this after care of breast cancer! Hasn't caused any problems at all and almost done taking it! Evidently it's great in the help of my breast cancer."

• Anonymous
• July 3, 2012

"I have been on Arimidex for 5 years. No pain or problems, and with a vitamin D supplement, I have been feeling great! Didn't have any problems until I started the generic form."

• Kel...
• September 2, 2015

"I have been on Arimidex for a little over 4 months. Other than a little bit of hot flashes, I have had no side effects at all."

• Sus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 30, 2014

"Recurrence of HER2 cancer. Hip and hand problems. Horrible insomnia and memory issues. But does help hold the cancer back."

• alb...
• January 29, 2011

"Bone pain, faster pulse rate, hot flashes. Don't know if I can continue taking this for 5 years."

• SKI...
• March 24, 2016

"Minimal problems. Been on for 1 year now. Joint stiffness in legs and weight gain. Had some trouble early in treatment with trouble sleeping. Gone now."

• JWa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2019

"Have been on Arimidex for 6 months, bone and joint pain and hot flashes have been the worst side effects. Starting Tamoxifen in 2 weeks, praying this one is better."

• Anonymous
• September 25, 2012

"7 months in severe hand pain wakes me up at night. Hands weakening grip, ibuprofen doesn't help. Using phone and computer mouse is horrible. Just switched to Aromasin."

• teq...
• August 28, 2009

"Going on 2 years on Arimidex, have high blood pressure and a little bit of arthritis, feeling very good."

• Pam...
• October 25, 2016

"Lots of hot flashes, fatigue, and weight gain, but the benefit outweighs the negatives of this drug."

• Anonymous
• October 23, 2009

"I have had minimum side effects."