Arimidex side effects?

Hi Lee: First of all, take heart - I take Arimidex, and haven't experienced any of what you mentioned! Remember that drug makrs have to list all the POSSIBLE side effects, unusual though they may be. Not every woman gets every side effect; some don't get any, some get a lot, and most of us get our own "special selection."

Arimidex has been shown to be REALLY effective at preventing recurrence, so hopefully your wife takes it without too many issues. Myself, the only thing that's bothered me is loss of bone density, which I'm loading up on vitamin D and calcium for; and joint pain. I feel like an 80-year-old (I'm 54) when I get up in the morning, but as soon as I get going - treadmill, a brisk walk, whatever - that abates quickly.

There are other mild side effects, but frankly, I'm not sure if they're from the Arimidex, aging, menopause, long-lasting chemo effects, or what! They're all just part of the cancer aftermath, and you learn to live with whatever you're feeling, because the key word is LIVE.

Good luck to you and your wife both - and congratulations to her for completing her active treatment. WHEW! - PJH

Hi Lee - Glad to see that you are involved and concerned with your wife's care!

I'm a 34 breast cancer 2peater - which is confusing I know.  I was a survivor for nearly 3 years when just this year I found out that I had a recurrence.  I am also considered surgically menopausal and have been for the last 3 years.

After I had surgery & chemo I was rx'd Femara, which is practically the same drug just manufactured by a different company.  I took it for approx. 2 1/2 yrs.  I quit because the cancer came back and obviously it did not do it's job of stoping estrogen from binding with the cancer cells.  And while it is a different brand name med, it does carry all the same side effects.  But like PJ said, they HAVE to tell you EVERYTHING regardless of whether all people tested got it or just one.

My personal experience with this drug type has been simular to PJ's.  I've had an increase in bone loss over the last 3 years, and while I tried calcium pills I found I couldn't stand taking those horse pills.  My dr recommended to me taking TUMS, which is at least a better alternative for me - I found that when taking large pills, I would often get sick not longer after and when I would throw up the pills would scrape the inside of my throat causing me to throw up blood, which was not a good thing.  With the TUMS they taste better and I can chew them, plus I don't get sick off of them.

I also have horrendous joint/bone pain - my knees, hips, feet and hands are always in a constant state of pain.  I often feel like a 'lil ol' lady, which also isn't good at 34.  I can't stand running around all day (shopping, dr. appts) cause I found the more I am on my feet the more I hurt.  It's gotten so bad in the last year my hubby has considered a wheelchair for me, but my pain management dr says that will just make it worse.  Because of the pain, and the degree of it I do take pain related meds, and they help make it manageable.

Another side effect is off and on depression - but that could also have to do with finding out the cancer has returned.  I also feel moody at times, but I can't blame it on the hormones because I don't really have any (or much) and I have had a decrease in sex drive (but that could be from a number of things)  but overall, I didn't feel that any of the side effects were significant enough to stop taking it.

I hope your wife's experience is bearable - but if the side effects become too much she should discuss other options with her dr.

Good luck to the two of you!

Angi