Arimidex and Joint Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

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

For Breast Cancer "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

For Breast Cancer "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

For Breast Cancer "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."

• 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."

• Jaz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 16, 2025

For Breast Cancer "I am seriously considering stopping Arimidex. The hot flashes are daily, and I live in a very hot state, which makes everything worse! Even though I use AC and a ceiling fan, I often wake up hot. I have joint pain and daily fatigue. The negatives for this medication are so prevalent in my everyday life that I don’t want to take it anymore. I take a non-narcotic sleep medicine, and this medication causes a lot of problems with that working. On the whole, I’m thinking I might be better off without Arimidex."

• rod...
• February 25, 2008

For Breast Cancer "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."

• 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."

• Hot...
• March 20, 2015

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "Was taking it for 6 months. Side effects were bad: headaches, every bone joint ached and stiff. Moody, depressed, and memory was bad. Will be going on tamoxifen, hope it's not as bad."