Posted January 15, 2009 By htoews
I just am in the process of having hormonal therapy to block estrogen and had an implant. I start arimadex tomorrow, and I feel overwhelmed. Has anyone esle gone through this?
Posted January 24, 2009 By rosa26
I started Tamoxoien 20 mg in May. I am taking part in a clinical study. I am prescribed Ibandronate 50mg daily and 1500 Calcium with 800UI of Vitamin D. Well the libido is changing... I have many hot flashes which are controled by taking Novo-Venlaxine XR 75mg. I was surprised to be prescribe this drug used for anxiety, but the oncologist was right. It works. My skin is very dry. So I use a lot of it twice a day. I have never taken any medication since last year. It was quite a challenge to get organised and not miss a dose. A daily pill organiser works for me. I also suffer from fatigue if I don't get enough sleep: 8-9 hours per night!! It puts a demper on my social life and activities. I was diagnosed with Stage III brerast cancer in Aug 07 and had a lumpectomy, chimotherapy, a virus for over six weefks and radiation. Now I suffer from lymphedema on the left side and arm.
Posted December 8, 2009 By Anne
I have been on Arimidex for a couple of weeks now with no side effects what so ever. I was previously having hot flashes (menopause!) and previously suffereed from joint and muscle pain. I have noticed no increase in either. Clinical studies show that this drug really makes a difference so we must persevere. Stay active, take care and good luck!
Posted December 11, 2009 By bailey
I am still having chemo treatments and then radiation after but they said I will most likely be put on tamoxifen after. I have heard and read horrible side effects about this. Can anyone tell me some of the more common side effects of this. I wish I could find something more natural to take that would do the same thing.
thanks
Posted December 12, 2009 By Bandna
Hi Bailey
I just finished my chemo and will be going on tamoxifen as well starting next week. I know the side effects are scary, but unfortunately there is nothing else that we can take thats more natural. I just saw a naturopath this week and she's helping me with my diet plan and some natural stuff I may take to have a healthy lifestyle. I will let you know how I feel once I start to take it next week.
Posted December 14, 2009 By bailey
Hi:
Anyone else with advice on Tamoxifen?
Other than reading the side effects, I would like to hear from other women who have common side effects from taking this. I really would like to know what to expect if I am going to take it. Please respond.
thanks
Posted December 19, 2009 By Nadine
Hi Bailey,
I have been on Tamoxifen since August and haven't been feeling too bad on it. I do have dryness big time (vaginal too) which is no fun, but I'm not sure if that's from the drug or from chemo induced menopause. Low libido is also something I've noticed. I also was prescribed Effexor to deal with the hot flashes, which does help. It's hard to evaluate the fatigue because I've been tired since I started this whole crappy business! It's not easy dealing with chemo, surgery, radiation and also keeping your household running with 3 busy kids! Basically I think the benefits of the drug out weigh the side effect.
Hang in there!
Nadine
Posted February 4, 2010 By Helena
Hi all,
I'm new to this chat-room, so, i have a question about the sideeffects of Femara (Hormone therapy). How do you cope with stff joints other than grin and suffer? I go to the Y steam room and feel good exercising a bit, but out back in the cold they get stff again.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Posted February 5, 2010 By Margrit
Hi, I'm new to this site, I have been on Arimedex since the 1st week of Dec, the side effects aren't bad sore stiff joints but mostly at night I try to keep moving during the day and that helps. I get the odd hot flash but mostlyI get cold easy, more so when I get tired but I'm not complaining so far I'm good. I'm also on pramidronate IV that one feels like I have the flu for a day or two afterwards. I have to wait until the end of March and have more MRI's to see if the arimedex is working. the pamidronate is for the bones to control the cancer in my spine. hope all goes well and this is a little helpful.
Posted February 11, 2010 By Helena
Hello all,
I posted a question on the stiffness of joints following hormone therapy. As nobody gave me a feedback, I'll ask another question on the same subject: do you know of any alternative treatments to lessen the stiffness?
Hope to hear from you...
Helena
Posted March 9, 2010 By LivLovLaf
I too am on Tamox for 2 and a half years. I was getting horrible leg cramps at night so my doctor told me to drink tonic water. Without the gin. But if you add half and half of your favorite orange juice its really not bad. It really worked for the cramps.
Posted March 18, 2010 By gdchapman44
Thank you for this - I was not aware that tonic water would help the leg cramps. I to have leg cramps some nights. I started Tamoxifen at the beginning of Dec. 09 so I haven't really been on it long. The only other side effect is vaginal discharge which is not excessive but a nuisance! Dorothy
Posted March 15, 2010 By Anne
I have been on Arimidex since the end of November 2009. I have had a multitude of side effects, stiff and swollen joints (hips, knees, ankles, hands/fingers) It gets especially painfull in the evening and at night. I have carpal tunnel in my right hand. Also another side effect. My night sweats are bad, day ones not as horrible.
I have thought a number of times about going off of this drug but have decided I am going to just hang in there. This drug is preventing the production of estrogen in my body. My breast cancer feeds on estrogen. Cancer recurrence will be much harder to treat than these side effects!
I have a great family doctor who is helping me manage my pain. I take Naproxin now (an arthritis drug). I take a prescription pain medication called Tramacet as needed. I am also on calcium and Vitamin D to help offset any bone loss the Arimidex could cause. Walking and simple stretching exercises (especially for the legs) really, really helps with the pain. Wrist splints (especially at night) really helps the carpal tunnel. When I'm sitting, (for instance watching TV), I get up at least every hour and just walk around the house. It really helps.
I am trying to focus on one day at a time and not think about it as a five year treatment. Another breast cancer survivor that I know has been on Arimidex for 3 years now. She said it took time for her body to adjust to this drug (around 8 months or so), but it did get better....so I am hanging on to that!
Hang in there all! We CAN do it!
Posted March 3, 2010 By daisy
Hi
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. I had a mastectomy and I had my nodes removed because I had cancer in one. I had chemo, and radiation. I was then put on tomoxifin for 2 1/2 years and then they switched me to estemee and had really bad joint pains, and then they changed me to armidex. Nothing changed, the pain was so bad in my knees that I was limping. I had kept up my exercise but nothing helped, it only got worse. I was off work for a week. I am off of the armidex now, and it has been 2 weeks but I still have stiff joints and pain. Everything is a chore to do. I am wondering how long it will take for these stiff joints and pain to go away. I will be going back on Tomoxifin in a couple of weeks. I debated about staying on the Armidex but when I couldn't walk anymore I knew I had to come off of it. Hoping someone can tell me how long these symptons will last after stopping them.
Posted October 22, 2010 By #1Nana
I had a bilateral mastectomy in August, found out last month that my cancer was Hormone Receptor Positive and was given colored graphs showing the odds of my specific cancer type recurring and my survival odds based on no additional treatment -vs- hormone treatment. I was sent home and told to "mull it over & call with my decision". I am now trying to determine if the benefits of hormone treatments are worth the risks.
I'm assuming I would probably be on Arimidex, as I am post menopausal. The side effects of this drug terrifies me, especially when you consider that you're taking it for 5 years!
I guess I'm wondering if this is the normal procedure, as I was somewhat taken aback at the lack of direction/guidance I received from my oncologist.
I'm also curious about the incidence of side effects. I'm really concerned about the bone/muscle pain as I already have sore knees, heels & hips as well as restless leg syndrome. (what a catch I am, huh!!).
If anyone has any info to relay it would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Posted November 22, 2010 By ariesniemi
Hi there,
I'm new to this forum. I completed chemo in March and radiation in May. I am also on IV Herceptin for Her2neu positive breast cancer. I have been on tamoxifen for 6 months now and suffer from terrible joint pain especially in my fingers and knees. It began when I started the tamoxifen altough my oncologist says it's not related. Coincidence? It doesn't feel like a coincidence. I've never experienced stiffness and aching in my finers and knees before. Is this common? Thanks!
Posted December 23, 2010 By Silvergirl37
Personally I did not have the muscle and joint aches and pains but have spoken with survivors who didn't continue Tamoxifen due to their severity. Talk to your Onc again - there are other options that may improve your quality of life.
Posted February 16, 2011 By GoneFishing
Hello everyone, I will be going on arimidex in two weeks. 2 questions: 1. Is there anyone who has been on Arimidex for the 5 years? 2. Once you went off of Arimidex did the side effects subside? I am quite frightened about the side effects and the severity of them (joint pain, hot flashes, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoporosis) and the long term effects.
