Arimidex Blues

Perla Been Through It Retired RN, now in retail. Dx in 2006, surgery, chemo, radiation I'm retired RN, and decided to run a small retail store. In December... Send Message Subscribe: Perla

Sunday, October 19, 2008
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Thought I'd check in with some other folks. I've been on Arimidex for a year and I was feeling kind of blue today. Blocking the estrogen has more effects on a person than dry skin and osteoporosis. What about depression? What about the insomnia that is seen with this treatment...

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Welcome
Maria Gifford
Sunday, October 19, 2008 at 11:56 PM

Hello Perla,

Welcome to our community. It's great that you've joined us.

I'm sorry to hear of your emotional troubles and feelings of depression. I thought you might be interested in this related information:

Taking Arimidex and Always Crying and Depressed

http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/question/10105/34833

Is Crying All the Time a Side Effect of Arimidex?

http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/question/74658/33614

No Mental Effects Seen With Arimidex

http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/news-261777-66.html

I hope this is helpful to you. Feel free to connect with other community members anytime, and be sure to keep us posted on how you're doing.

Best regards,

Maria

re: Welcome
Perla
Monday, October 20, 2008 at 10:22 AM

Hello Maria,

thank you for the articles. The one about the research from Great Britain is meaningless when the complexity of the effects of a powerful drug mixed the the lack of estrogen in women who are estrogen dominant is not understood. In fact there was some other research which stated that 15% of women reported depression on Arimidex but it wasn't clear whether it was due to Arimidex or just having breast cancer. Some side effects are not understood and the impact on estrogen on emotions is probably dismissed.

I think the effects of anything are as individualized as each person's coping mechanisms.

In fact there is research that Arimidex causes a specific type of insomnia, and that can add to decreased ability to handle the daily stressors which has to be taken into consideration.

Anyway, I do feel that I'm in a community that understands issues that might not be clear to others (including my oncologist!!!).

take care

Perla