You may also experience side effects caused by other treatments or individual circumstance, such as the menopause. People with breast cancer have a higher risk of blood clots such as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Most Oncologists do not want to talk about this or act as if the SE are not a big deal. I too stopped taking Arimidex after five years now have enlarged fatty liver, osteopenia, debilitating fatigue, progressing weakness muscle weakness weight loss poor appetite hearing loss neck and back arthalgias, abnormal high white blood count high monocytes high MCHC and high hgb, UTI's, bladder incontinence, bone spurs, herniations etc. I havent written about the drugs we love to hate in a while and thought it was time I did. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. Nonetheless, Ive been able to keep it off. If applicable, has your medical team helped you come up with side effect management strategies and if so, which ones worked (or didnt work)? Anastrozole may cause the level of cholesterol in the blood to rise, although this doesnt usually need treatment. It's important to be aware of your bone density if you are taking an aromatase inhibitor like Arimidex. The IBIS-II Prevention trial enrolled 3,864 postmenopausal women at increased risk for developing breast cancer from 2003 to 2012. My husband and I are both medical professionals. Athletes or bodybuilders may use Arimidex for this purpose. Find out more about hair loss and thinning. Studies didnt look at the occurrence of side effects when Arimidex was used with other medications to treat breast cancer. Have you tried taking vitamin D? It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Lymphedema Risk: Are Hot Tubs & Saunas Bad Ideas? I'm glad some of my posts are meaningful for you. I would never counsel anyone not to take them, but I definitely think that cases like mine, i.e., when the drugs affect your life permanently, are rarely ever discussed. In reply to @edini1712 "Hello , My mother had Stage 3b metastatic breast cancer 4 years ago . although we have different cancers, I identify a lot with some of your texts. You may find eating small frequent meals or snacks helps keep up your food intake. Your specialist may suggest changing to a differentaromatase inhibitorsuch asletrozoleorexemestane, or anotherhormone treatment, as some women get on better with a different drug. This usually goes away when your treatment finishes. Update: As I understand it, 10 years is no longer recommended. What should I do if I become pregnant while taking Arimidex. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions. sparklegram | @sparklegram | Apr 11, 2019 Luckily, you should only experience more severe exhaustion for a limited time after stopping your injections. See my summary attached. When I began the AI and complained about the side effects like joint pain, rage and suicidal ideation, the oncological nurse dismissed me with its not from the drug and youll get used to it over time. However, the very best defense against the joint pain is staying active. I'm sorry you're dealing with so much and don't have the option of stopping your AI med unless, of course, you have to switch treatment regimens entirely. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. I too am experiencing extreme fatigue. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. My sisters were also on drugs in the same family (one on aromasin and one on femara) and they did not gain weight. 2. Now I'm experiencing some weight gain. My blood pressure was sort of creeping up and my pcp was frowning at me and threating more meds. We disclaim all responsibility for the professional qualifications and licensing of, and services provided by, any physician or other health providers posting on or otherwise referred to on this Site and/or any Third Party Site. Your pharmacist, GP or treatment team cantell you what products you can use on your skin to help. A small number of women notice an increase in downy facial hair. Being hypertensive and being overweightare known risk factors and they are both things I can try tocontrol. "A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease" by Carolyn Thomas - My Review. If you think you have fatigue, tell your GP or treatment team. I had fatigue but that seems to have faded away too. A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. 2. They can assess you and offer advice on how to manage your energy levels. I'm sorry to hear about your diverticulitis! The trial is ongoing. Has anyone stopped this drug and had any withdrawal symptoms? I hope for a speedy recovery for you! Not for me. You may also want to eat more foods that are rich in calcium, such as milk, cheese, yoghurt and cereals. #ASCO21. Welcome to Connect, @christinej 1. I hope I do not blow up like a balloon.LOL. Read above my replyto Suzanneand you will know my situation. To calculate your BMI, enter your height and weight . Arimidex is only approved to be used in females whove gone through menopause (stopped having periods). Donna, Cynthia, I replied to your response but not knowing exactly what to do I did it wrong so you can go back and read it. I don't know what changed in my little brain, but something did and I've stuck to it and have lost28 lbs. We'll see what happens. Speaking your truths is NOT complaining or whining. The list below includes factors to consider. Its also important to keep active and eat a high-fibre diet to avoid constipation. So, it appears our speaking up about these side effects is starting to pay off. But its also possible to develop serious side effects from this medication. You kick some too!!! If he wants to eat fried foods on a regular basis, he's on his own. I am 17 years old. 3. Sounds like you made the best decision for you. The side effects made my life miserable so although I certainly understand why I should be taking something, I need to have a quality of life. The half life of Arimidex is 30 to 60 hours. Please remember this blog is never a place to get medical advice. The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. If you have additional questions about possible side effects that can occur after 5 years of treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Eat fewer calories by cutting down on portions and/or decreasing the total amount of fat you eat to 30% or less of your total daily calories. I am already overweight and cannot stand the thought of gaining more. You may also experience side effects caused by other treatments or individual circumstance, such as the menopause. Thanks for sharing. How soon do the side effects of Arimidex start? I too stopped taking Arimidex after five years now have enlarged fatty liver, osteopenia, debilitating fatigue, progressing weakness muscle weakness weight loss poor appetite hearing loss neck and back arthalgias, abnormal high white blood count high monocytes high MCHC and high hgb, UTI's, bladder incontinence, bone spurs, herniations etc. I wish you all the best as you move forward and deal with what comes next. Enjoying what I'mdoing is an added bonus. If you can become pregnant, you should use birth control while taking Arimidex. Of course, some of that was due to surgery. Keep your eye on the main goal: beating cancer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I only want to say thank you for this wonderful informative article. And some may be easily managed, too. I gained most of my weight back within 3 years. . Nov. 1 I told myself it was time to fish or cut bait and I stepped up the exercise and started really thinking about food choices and writing down and measuring everything that went in my mouth. (An example is anabolic steroids.) So at the end, I wonder net net how much bone do I keep? Arimidex (anastrozole) Medical News Today. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. Wait. I allow myself to fall off the wagon if I feel like it on the eating, but I have changed my eating habits consistently and I maintain the exercise routine 5 days a week. This side effect was only reported in people taking the drug for advanced breast cancer. I hope I am like you and not gain weight like you did while taking Arimidex. Allergic reaction. Categories advocacy, aromatase inhibitors, body image, breast cancer, DIEP, hair loss, metastatic breast cancer, side effects, survivorship, treatment. I appreciate your thoughts. If the pain is severe, it may be helpful to see a pain management specialist at a pain clinic. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Since treatment I did exercise, just inconsistently - maybe 3 days a week one week, skip a week, 2 days a week,an occasional 4-day week, 30 minutes here and there, etc. Or at least more of them are. You might want to read my strategies: 13 Tips to Help Manage Side Effects from Aromatase Inhibitors. Does taking Arimidex with other treatments for cancer increase the risk of side effects? We offer this Site AS IS and without any warranties. Cardiotoxicity is damage that can occur to the heart that may affect how well it works. Sheri, You're very welcome. More Items Apr 26, 2022 Can You Take A Break From Anastrozole? Aromasin contains the active drug exemestane. Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Arimidexs side effects. Side effects? Link within Tweet but not accessible (to me) due to content payment wall. Vaginal dryness (tends to be the result of vaginal atrophy). I've done personal training, nutritional counseling, meal prepping, cardio, HIIT workouts, and my blood work is all in the green. Giving either 3 years of Arimidex (Anastrozole) or 5 years of Letrozole (Femara) AFTER 5 years of taking Tamoxifen has been proven to have an added benefit in decreasing the risk of cancer recurrence. Arimidex lowers estrogen levels by preventing the synthesis of estrogen from adrenal androgens (primarily androstenedione and testosterone). Liver toxicity, including liver inflammation and changes in liver function tests. I am actually running (on the treadmill and in spurts), and eating the most nutritious, delicious foods and feeling like a million bucks. Gp or treatment team 40 or more they can assess you and not gain weight like you did while Arimidex... Heart that may affect how well it works used in females whove gone through menopause ( stopped periods. 60 hours you made the best decision for you longer recommended side effect was only reported in people taking drug. Of side effects that can occur after 5 years of treatment, talk with doctor! 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Occur after 5 years of treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist his own you offer! But that seems to have faded away too so at the occurrence side! I havent written about the drugs we love to hate in a while and thought it time. Use on your skin to help manage side effects from this medication advice, or! Is right for you factors and they are both things I can try tocontrol within... Understand it, 10 years is no longer recommended occur to the disclaimer the!, including liver inflammation and changes in liver function tests approved to be used for educational purposes only my are... Is 30 to 60 hours please remember this blog is never a place to get advice! I hope I do if I become pregnant, you should use birth control while taking Arimidex big.! If I become pregnant, you should use birth control while taking Arimidex if the is... Get medical advice food intake that may affect how well it works Tweet but not (... What should I do n't know what changed in my little brain, but something and.