Arimidex and Hot Flashes: What Users Say

• Aro...
• November 7, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I took it for 5 years and just stopped on October 31st. This drug is TERRIBLE. It destroys your bones, causes hip joint pain so bad that you lose your balance, causes hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, constipation, heart palpitations, spinal pain, loss of bone density which causes OSTEOPENIA which can lead to OSTEOPOROSIS and more. Its disgusting that this is basically the only one you can take other than tamoxifen. Your oncologist SHOULD tell you what the side effects are going to do so that you can somehow prepare for them. Mine prescribed GABAPENTIN for the hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia. Arimidex has to be taken for only 5 years and no more. Hopefully the weakness in my hip joints will ease, the pain in my bones, the constipation, heart palpitations. You will never get back the bone loss. I'm taking high doses of OTC vitamin C & D."

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 14, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I am 60 and have been on Arimidex going on 4 years now for stage 2 invasive lobular breast cancer. Initially, I experienced trigger finger, but that went away after a few months. I have also experienced slight weight gain (5 lbs), insomnia, and hot flashes regularly. I exercise every day to keep my bones strong, and luckily I have no joint or bone pain. I just noticed recently thinning hair after 4 years on this. My doctor says they recommend another 5 years after next year, so it will be 10 years total. I think for me the worst side effect is the hot flashes, but it’s okay! I’m still here! :)"

• Ore...
• March 20, 2013

For Breast Cancer "I have had the hot flashes and the weight gain. Not much of the other side effects so far. Not willing to keep gaining the weight, talked to my oncologist but he says the weight gain is not from the Arimidex. I know better, I have always been very careful with my weight and going on this medication is the only time I have had the weight gain. I stopped it for 5 weeks and lost, went back on the Arimidex and the weight came back. I work out 5 to 7 days a week so I am very active."

• 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."

• oma...
• August 10, 2015

For Breast Cancer "Fine initially but within 2 weeks, severe ankle pain, insomnia, hot flashes and severe sweating. Thinning hair just after it all grew back beautifully. Difficult eye prescription, moody, tingling nerve pain in right thigh, tired and now have a hiatal hernia. Lack of interest in sex, which still has not returned. I just wonder what the long-term effects could be. This medication was one I loved to hate. But my cancer is gone and it has been 6 years that I am cancer-free."

• Anonymous
• October 15, 2012

For Breast Cancer "I've been on Arimidex for 4 years and 1 month, prior to which I took Tamoxifen for 5 months. During the first year, I developed a frozen shoulder, which my oncologist said could be due to the Arimidex. I experienced extreme joint stiffness, which gradually subsided after 9-12 months. I had intense hot flashes, which are now lessening. Other side effects include insomnia, vision issues (detached retina - but am also very myopic), pronounced facial aging, dry skin (I am 57 years old), and thinning hair. Additionally, I also experienced depression and mood swings starting 3 months after starting Arimidex. I did not take medication for it, but I have noticed that it has gradually lessened over the last 1 1/2 years."

• Anonymous
• January 31, 2012

For Breast Cancer "I started taking Arimidex about 4-5 months ago as a breast cancer patient. I'm supposed to take it for 5 years. The side effects I've experienced are insomnia, hot flashes, headaches, weight gain, joint pain, and severe loss of grip in both hands. My hands are stiff in the morning and evening, it's just crazy. Well, even throughout the day. I asked my oncologist about this, and he said it was arthritis, which I do not believe. The onset was too quick. It was about 6 weeks after I started taking the Arimidex then the hand stiffness showed up."

• Tri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 24, 2012

For Breast Cancer "I have been on Arimidex for 4 years 4 months. I have had the hot flashes, vision issues, bone density weakening, joint pain and stiffness, depression, mood changes, insomnia, back and bone pain, thinning nails (of already thin nails), weakness in hands and now, my hair is breaking off and drying out. My doctor wants me to hold on until the end of the 5 years. Not sure I can."

• Gig...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 19, 2017

For Breast Cancer "I have been taking Arimidex for 4.5 years, coming up on my 5-year post-treatment check-up. Side effects for me have been: hot flashes, neuropathy, intense joint pain, insomnia, and 30% loss of bone density. I take 2 ibuprofen daily to manage pain and power through. New clinical data indicate staying on longer may reduce risk further. I was so looking forward to getting off this drug, not sure how I feel about that."

• Bea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 22, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I have been using Arimidex for approximately 6 months. I have had some side effects, mostly hot flashes and some insomnia. The hot flashes have improved, and for the insomnia, I just switched the time of day when I took the medication."

• jbo...
• September 8, 2010

For Breast Cancer "I have been on Arimidex for 4 years. Side effects I have had are severe hot flashes, and ever-increasing joint pain. I am considering going off the medication entirely, even though it has not been the full five years yet, or switching to a different medicine."

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

For Breast Cancer "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

For Breast Cancer "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 :)"

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

For Breast Cancer "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."

• Kel...
• September 2, 2015

For Breast Cancer "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."

• alb...
• January 29, 2011

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

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

For Breast Cancer "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."

• Pam...
• October 25, 2016

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