Arimidex for Breast Cancer User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• October 15, 2012

"I've been on Arimidex for 4 years and 1 month, prior to which I took Tamoxifen for 5 months. During the first year, I developed a frozen shoulder, which my oncologist said could be due to the Arimidex. I experienced extreme joint stiffness, which gradually subsided after 9-12 months. I had intense hot flashes, which are now lessening. Other side effects include insomnia, vision issues (detached retina - but am also very myopic), pronounced facial aging, dry skin (I am 57 years old), and thinning hair. Additionally, I also experienced depression and mood swings starting 3 months after starting Arimidex. I did not take medication for it, but I have noticed that it has gradually lessened over the last 1 1/2 years."

• Hobber
• August 10, 2017

"The first year of taking anastrozole, I experienced hair loss, weight gain even though I was having difficulty keeping food down. It wasn't really nausea; it was more like a reaction. Itchy skin, foggy head, aches and pains. During the second year, I found one morning that I could barely walk; severe knee pain, sore legs, sore bones...this is still the case, but I started gradually to start a yoga routine, which helps some days. It doesn't erase the pain, but seems to make it more manageable. It's like a different set of side effects every few months. I will stick with it, as much as I don't want to. The surgery and radiation are two things I never want to deal with again. Good luck to all of you; keep strong!"

• freidia
• June 16, 2009

"Initially, I tolerated the drug well. About 4 months into treatment, I had a lot of problems: dizziness, disorientation, joint and muscle pain, and stomach upset. Also, my hair started to thin, and nails cracked due to dryness. Within a week of stopping the drug, I was feeling better. One month out and I was very well."

• linnash
• March 26, 2011

"Have been on Arimidex for 7 years as my oncologist says that the trial period has only been up to 5 years and she wants me to continue as extra insurance. The only side effect that I have noticed beginning about a year ago is hair thinning, and it is starting to bother me. Three of my friends who had started taking Arimidex the same time I did and who had other oncologists, were taken off the drug after 5 years. They had noticed hair thinning during the time they were taking the drug and it has reversed since they stopped usage."

• sissyy
• June 19, 2013

"Took tamoxifen for 9 months. Extreme bruising. Switched to Arimidex. After 4 weeks, extreme pain in hand. Next, severe headaches. Each month brought increased pain in thumbs, hand, feet, long leg bones. Joints hurt, wrists weaken every month. After 10 months, I became depressed and had insomnia. Finally, I had enough and stopped. Within 2 weeks, long bone pain went away. I still have some knee pain, trigger finger, and wrist weakness and it's been 3 months. Doctor is switching to Aromasin next month."

• Anonymous
• January 31, 2012

"I started taking Arimidex about 4-5 months ago as a breast cancer patient. I'm supposed to take it for 5 years. The side effects I've experienced are insomnia, hot flashes, headaches, weight gain, joint pain, and severe loss of grip in both hands. My hands are stiff in the morning and evening; it's just crazy. Well, even throughout the day. I asked my oncologist about this, and he said it was arthritis, which I do not believe. The onset was too quick. It was about 6 weeks after I started taking the Arimidex then the hand stiffness showed up."

• Trick...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 24, 2012

"I have been on Arimidex for 4 years 4 months. I have had the hot flashes, vision issues, bone density weakening, joint pain and stiffness, depression, mood changes, insomnia, back and bone pain, thinning nails (of already thin nails), weakness in hands and now, my hair is breaking off and drying out. My doctor wants me to hold on until the end of the 5 years. Not sure I can."

• keytalk
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2016

"6 months into taking this drug, I had to stop. Side effects: painful weakness in both hands, hurts to grip, trigger thumbs - bad when waking up in the morning. Took medicine in the morning. Dizzy, nausea, headache, heartburn, discomfort in the center of chest. Exhausted midday, bone pain. Lost sex drive. 62 years old. Since stopping 2 weeks ago - hoping hands and sex drive return, other problems have stopped. Feeling more normal, weakness and pain in hands still bad."

• annie...
• May 30, 2013

"Been taking Arimidex for nearly 6 years now. Side effects for me are joint & bone pain, weird feeling in my chest that wakes me up. Weight gain, hair thinning & occasional hot flushes. I take calcium tabs and alendronic acid for my bones. Apart from that I'm grateful to be alive."

• Giggl...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 19, 2017

"I have been taking Arimidex for 4.5 years, coming up on my 5-year post-treatment check-up. Side effects for me have been: hot flashes, neuropathy, intense joint pain, insomnia, and 30% loss of bone density. I take 2 ibuprofen daily to manage pain and power through. New clinical data indicate staying on longer may reduce risk further. I was so looking forward to getting off this drug, not sure how I feel about that."

• Roxan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2013

"I started taking the medication in March 2013 after chemotherapy in the fall of 2012 and then radiation in January-February 2013. I am experiencing joint and muscle pain. But as a migraine sufferer, it's a walk in the park. Whatever works to cure this cancer, I'm up for everything and anything."

• kenny...
• February 2, 2012

"I have been on Arimidex for just over a year and have experienced basically no side effects. The only issue I have is my left hand and fingers tingle occasionally at night - enough to awaken me; however, the doctor thinks it has more to do with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - which I never had before. I am going to be 70 years old soon, am in excellent health and shape as I work with a personal trainer. Life is Good!"

• Unhappy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2016

"I took Arimidex for five months after a mastectomy. The first few months, I had very few problems apart from a severe farty bottom and abdominal pain. Then it hit me - that awful, debilitating pain so many people talk about. I couldn't close my hands in the morning, and when I got out of bed, I could barely walk as my legs were so stiff. I tried physio, dry needling, glucosamine, turmeric, and various rubs, but to no avail. I developed huge knotty muscle lumps on my legs and tummy. My oncologist advised me to take a short break, and I noticed differences almost straight away. I could actually walk again, and after two weeks, everything settled. I have just started Tamoxifen, and I am crossing my fingers that all goes well. I really want the insurance."

• voter
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2017

"I took one pill. ONE. Within 12 hours, I began itching from head to toe. In 24 hours, I was in the emergency room with a terrible rash all over me. It was so bad, and it was raised so high you could almost measure it with a ruler! I didn't want to scratch first. I had to get two shots in my belly, was put on oral prednisone for two weeks (which then calls for a slow wean-off of the drug), a prescription topical medicine, and over-the-counter medicines. The rash hung around for almost three weeks. I'm allergic to sulfa and all NSAIDS, but my doctor wasn't sure what is in this drug to cause this reaction. He put me on tamoxifen next, which I took for 7 years but the cancer came back. I am now on letrozole with no problems except joint pain."

• Gram
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2016

"Diagnosed in June 2016, Stage 2 Grade 2 IDC Breast cancer. In August 2016, lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy, and 30 radiation treatments were done. I have only been on Arimidex for 2 weeks. I am experiencing severe bone pain in my legs and hips. My knees are the worst. Also, some nausea and loss of appetite. I didn't expect the side effects to start within the first 2 weeks of taking Arimidex. I hope that the longer I'm on Arimidex, the side effects will get better."

• deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2017

"I have been on Arimidex since December. I am experiencing locked-up hands in the a.m. with pain; weakened grips and discomfort using the computer for my job. Also, at times low back and sciatica pain. I am considering changing medication."

• Beatl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 22, 2016

"I have been using Arimidex for approximately 6 months. I have had some side effects, mostly hot flashes and some insomnia. The hot flashes have improved, and for the insomnia, I just switched the time of day when I took the medication."

• jbow
• September 8, 2010

"I have been on Arimidex for 4 years. Side effects I have had are severe hot flashes, and ever-increasing joint pain. I am considering going off the medication entirely, even though it has not been the full five years yet, or switching to a different medicine."

• Lab...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 18, 2020

"Stage 1 grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma. Lumpectomy and radiation. The last 6 months of the 5 years on anastrozole I began to have hip and back pain. I stopped taking it October 1st and today is November 18th. I want to get back to my daily walk but have not been able to due to the difficulty walking. I do still walk the dog at night but it isn't easy. I have tried stretching and in some cases I felt it aggravated it. I even limp some days. It is very discouraging. I am taking 1 aleve morning and night but don't really like doing that either. I am hoping it gets better enough to walk which may make me feel better. I am 60 yrs old."

• Fin
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 12, 2019

"Had stage 3 HER positive. Been on arimidex for over 5 years. Just stopped taking it, had all the side effects mentioned in early posts. I have been off it for only 8 days, but for the last two days have felt sick & really bad headache's ?? Is this like withdraw symptoms? Has anybody else had this ??"

• Anonymous
• December 15, 2010

"Severe hot flushes, sleep disturbance, bone and joint pain, lack of concentration. Was getting Zoladex injections for 9 months then had hysterectomy. Have been on Arimidex for 7 months. Hope I don't have to be on it for up to 5 years. I don't think I could stick out these side effects."

• Anonymous
• June 25, 2023

"I have been taking Arimidex for 5.8 years for breast cancer. I was diagnosed at 75 years old. I try to ignore side effects by keeping very active. Muscle weakness is a problem. Walking 2-3 km per day to date has worked to date. I need more arm strength. As a carer, increasing pressure from a needy spouse prevents me from continuing this program. I intend to stop Arimidex now and hope to lift the brain fog and regain my life."

• RSR
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 26, 2021

"I had invasive ducal carcinoma treated with lumpectomy with lymph node dissection, chemo, and radiation. I’ve been taking Arimidex for almost 10 years… last dose when I finish this bottle! I’ve had basically no side effects otherwise I’d have stopped long ago. No reoccurrence of cancer. I’m grateful to have had this drug in my Arsenal to protect me!"

• Miche...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2022

"Invasive ductal Carcinoma, HER2+, stage 1. Surgery to remove tumor April 2021 and 9 weeks of radiation finished in June 2021. I just started this medication April 2022 because I could not get estrogen down naturally with the help of Integrative medicine. I’ve read so many negative posts about the medication so I was trying everything to avoid it. Lots and lots of pressure from Oncology. I decided to start on 1/2 a pills and adjust to the medication side effects. They are real, joint pain, mood swings and hot flashes. I am going to have my estrogen tested again and see if it’s low enough to continue with the 1/2 dose. Not sure what the future holds with this medication but after trying alternatives I felt like there wasn’t much choice. Try it slow. My oncologist did say you can take 1/2 a pill or one every other day, woman are doing doses different it just may extend the amount of time you take it."

• Aries
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2023

"Retrospectively I had little quality of life after taking it for only a few months. My oncologist saw me in a wheelchair because of all my joint/bone problems (I had bilateral knee replacements), and muscle and soft tissue damage. I have had to give up work due to dizziness, spinal problems, pain, and fatigue. The radiation oncologist took me off the medication. I feel like the wider medical community has no empathy for the probability that this drug could very likely impact someone's life badly by taking it."