.I have stage 2 estrogen pos breast cancer. Had lumpectomy, chemo and 32. radiation treatments. Side effects are so bad as each month goes on. My oncologist said take it once every other day. I am so afraid the dosage is not enough. However, she gives me vague answers, "better than nothing" is her reply. Has anyone taking Arimidex been told it's alright to decrease dosage? For all who take Arimidex I can only pray yr results are better than what I am going thru. God bless all of us enduring these meds
Breast cancer. Dosage of Arimidex - can it be decreased?
Question posted by obmuloc on 29 July 2021
Last updated on 25 May 2024
4 Answers
Lizzz_48
26 May 2024
I just took it for a few months and it gave me so many joint and body aches on top of the pain I'm already having I just said I don't want it. The oncologist said that was fine. I had cancer in my right breast 2 lumps less than 2cm and 5 lmpyh nodes. I had everything removed and total reconstruction. As well as chemo and radiation. Still in pain 4 years later but I don't want the side effects. I think cancer is deep seated anger and I've had alot of therapy and epifinies and I'm not afraid of death. We are here to learn and go on to our next lesson and that puts my mind at ease. Spirits having a human experience ✨️
InteriorDesign
26 May 2024
Lizz_48,
Sorry you have had such a hard time. This diagnosis is one of the hardest things to swallow. I was so tired for so long and it made it hard to get dressed and go out. That affected my husband ( who has taken care of me thru all my illnesses) as time passed because he had lost his companion and went to events alone. I didn’t care because I was too tired to care. Lately, I’m going grocery shopping and showing more outside interest. Still tired, though.
You amazing having weathered so much. I pray you start feeling better and continue living one-day-at-a-time. That’s really all we have.
Lizzz_48
26 May 2024
I understand your fatigue and lack of wanting to do anything. I went through the same thing with my husband and am just starting to go places with him now. He's been doing everything and still does alot because I'm still tired. It does wreak havoc but I can't do anything else but continue on.
InteriorDesign
25 May 2024
Good afternoon!
Just reading your post and understand your concern. I am 73 and went in 2023 for my annual mammogram. I returned several times to repeat the mammogram. Results were positive for a very small nodule. I had a lumpectomy and 5 rounds of radiation. I have an autoimmune disease, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. I did lots of research on anastrozole, talked with my primary care doctor, rheumatologist, surgeon, and my oncologist. It took awhile to make a decision. My logic was…. I already live with pain so why add more according to possible side effects. My doctors encouraged me to try anastrozole and see how I did. I started it over a year ago and noticed headaches in the beginning which stopped after couple months. I took the pill at night and never had any nauseated. Any pain I felt was at night and really not worse than usual. I take 2 Tylenol am & pm and think that helps.
When I have had trouble sleeping I take melatonin. Just before my 1 yr. mark, I started having night sweats. My oncologist started me taking anastrozole every other day. No more night sweats last 2 months.
Do I wonder if every other day is enough? Yes. But for now I am doing good. I can always increase the dose, if needed.
5 years is a long time but I would rather be safe than have regrets .
Isaiah 41:10 has been my Greatest
Comfort through all the tests, surgery, and radiation. Without God I could not enjoy my life❣️
Mamabearfighter
24 Dec 2021
Hey love I stopped Arimidex and started taking grape seed extract it works as a natural hormone blocker , but safer .
I was diagnosed age 36 her 2 positive, er/pr positive, dcis
I had 6 rounds of TCHP and lypsectomy
And radiation 33 rounds then 8 rounds of kadycla...
I'm 38 now been on arimidex for a year and I'm so done with it not worth it ( nothing but hot flashes , pain in knees and elbows , couldn't sleep , no sex drive , I was done with chemo pill . Doctor said yes I could stop ...
Remember hun there is no Guarantee unfortunately I have met alot of women who did everything Doctor said and still got worse.
God bless
Annast
30 July 2021
I too had Stage 2 Estrogen fed breast cancer 9-2019. Lumpectomy, cancer confined to the tumor, no chemo, 6 weeks radiation. I am on Anastazole, 1 mg. It gives me joint pain daily, some days unbearable. There are others I could try, am afraid to as the others are 25-30 mg. If 1 mg gives me all this pain, what will increased mg do? I am torn to get off of it and take my chances. Some say I am safer because cancer was caught early and confined to tumor... no cancer in margins or 3 lymph nodes. I wish I had of had a double mastectomy. Anyone else on Anastazole have the unbearable joint pain as well? Some days I cannot even write and daily I drop a lot of things. Pain in neck, shoulders, knees, hips, ankles... well all my joints. What to do, what to do?
Related topics
arimidex, breast cancer, side effect, dosage, breast, radiation, estrogen, treatment, oncology, chemotherapy, estrogens
Further information
- Arimidex uses and safety info
- Arimidex prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Arimidex (detailed)
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