Arimidex and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Pol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 17, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed stage 1b lumpectomy, 4 weeks of radiation, then Arimidex. Well, the side effects are too much for me. The bone pain was excruciating, it woke me up at night. Fatigue, headache, nausea, foggy brain. I do yoga and walk 3 days a week. I have decided to go a natural path. Do the research for yourself before you make your own decisions. I just want a good quality of life back! I wish you all well."

• Lea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 26, 2014

For Breast Cancer "I took it for 5 years and 2 months. I cannot say if the changes were from chemo or from Arimidex. Changes in taste and smell persist. Frontal headache, blurred vision, cough, calcium loss - osteopenia. Stiff joints, long bone pain, sciatica pain of right leg, fatigue, wicked insomnia, hot flushes & flashes. Neuropathy in hands and feet, especially balls of feet and very sensitive tips of toes. Very dry skin, aged face, hair is very thin and breaking easily. Never got back full eyebrows, very SAD! I loved my eyebrows."

• mal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 16, 2020

For Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed with breast cancer Stage 1, Grade 1. Lumpectomy and radiation, no chemo. I am 7 months into taking Arimidex and joint and muscle pain are horrible. I am a very active person, having run all my life and going hiking. I am sore from head to toe in both the muscles and joints. Also, I feel more fatigued than usual. I just told my oncologist that I am stopping the Arimidex for now. My oncologist said to stay off the Arimidex for a month. I will then call back and let them know my status. They may then put me on another AI."

• Ind...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 21, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I have been taking Arimidex for six months. Insomnia is the worst part for me. Some hot flashes and moodiness. Weight gain of ten pounds due to fatigue and pauses in working out. Just recently I upped my walking to 80 minutes a day and cut out all sugar. This has helped me with the insomnia. Some joint discomfort, but not bad. Just trying to figure out what is the best way to help with side effects."

• Nij...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I have been taking Arimidex for 2 months. Within the first two weeks, my osteoarthritis has deteriorated from tolerable to barely able to walk. I cannot stand for long periods. My knees get stiff each time I sit. I have received a series of Ortho Visco injections and am hoping for a miracle. I must keep working for insurance coverage. I have vision changes, chest and muscle pain, also. I have added Fosamax due to the risk of calcium loss since I was diagnosed with osteopenia at the same time as stage 1 breast cancer. I am experiencing more fatigue with Arimidex than after radiation. I am not sure if I can tough this out for five years!"

• Ari...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2023

For Breast Cancer "Retrospectively, I had little quality of life after taking it for only a few months. My oncologist saw me in a wheelchair because of all my joint/bone problems (I had bilateral knee replacements) and muscle and soft tissue damage. I have had to give up work due to dizziness, spinal problems, pain, and fatigue. The radiation oncologist took me off the medication. I feel like the wider medical community has no empathy for the probability that this drug could very likely impact someone's life badly by taking it."

• Lul...
• September 18, 2022

For Breast Cancer "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)"

• Pam...
• October 25, 2016

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