arimidex side effects
 

I recently asked my onc. if I could switch to a different aromatase
inhibitor to see if I would have less or no joint pain. I was told that
because I have this side-effect from Arimidex, I would probably have
it on all A.I.'s. Has anyone switched to another one and had less
joint pain?

Many women on this board have switched to Femara or Aromosin and not experienced joint pain when they had pain with Arimidex.

I also have terrible joint pain from Arimidex and have thought about
asking to try another. I don't complain too much because I certainly
don't want to not take anything. I keep thinking my body will get used
to the arimidex and it won't be as bad.
patb

There is no harm to try Femara. Just tell your doctor that you want at least try for a few weeks. The change made a big difference for me.

Viva La Differance!
 

Yes, I was in joint pain...made the switch over to Femara and I am
feeling 80% better. Small amount (very small) of some joint sitffness
first thing in the morning, but as soon as I am up and about I am pain
free...exercise is important...good luck!

Jean

I was on Femara and had no joint pain but switched to Arimidex due to ringing in the ears. I now have some joint pain I didn't before, particularly in the thumbs, which I read is common. There is a difference.

Hopeful

I had to complain to my onc. about my joint pain from the Arimedex. It seemed to progressively get worse to the point where I could hardly go up and down the stairs. He took me off the Arimedex for two months to see if the pain went away...it did. So now I am on Femera. I am having a lot of joing stiffness, but it is better than the joint pain. The stiffness also seems to progressively get worse. I am wondering if it hurts to take a few weeks off the AI once in a while to let your body recoup. ...???

I would definately have your onc switch you.

cholesterol
 

I have joint pain, but it is bearable. My good cholesterol is falling and my bad cholesterol is rising. I don't eat much fat. Has anyone had cholesterol problems on arimidex? I'm now on an extremely low-fat diet and I will discuss this with my onc at my appointment in late August.

Reply
 

My onocologist said that Arimidex interefers with your cholestral

switching, in either direction, works for many
 

MJo
I have had to go on cholesterol medicine since BC.
I am taking arimidex and have joint pain also.
My Dr. stopped the cholesterol meds and it went
back up so I am taking Vytorin now.
patb

I tried arimidex, aromasin and tamoxifen, had severe joint pain from all 3. Now am on femera, just have mild stiffness in the morning. I have also read that all the AI's can increase the cholesterol levels and most recently read an article that if you were her2 positive, the AI's were ineffective. Anyone else read this? I have an appt. in August with my onc and will ask here about it. If it is not effective when her2 positive what's the point of taking it?

Pretty much I had joint pain on all. Pain from neck to the bottom of my feet. Exericise help. Keep your joints busy.

PinkGirl,
I switched from Arimadex to Femara a few months ago. I still get joint stiffness when I am not moving. It goes away as soon as I get moving again. I am crossing my fingers it does not get worse because I have not been on it that long.
I believe Femara is in the same family as Arimadex so if I need to switch again, it will be to Aromasin.

Not True - I had pretty severe pain with Arimidex
switched to Femara and while it is not 100% it sure
is about 90%....which i will gladly take.

Good Luck,
Jean

Link to Abstract
 

Debbie,

Here is the abstract you were referring to: http://www.abstracts2view.com/sabcs/...u=SABCS07L_631

Hopeful

My thumbs are killing me on Arimidex. If i get relief, after my Aug visit, I'll let you know. Bev

I had really stiff joints, especially right hand and thumb on Arimidex until my GP put me on Lasix. Not really sure why this worked, but I feel like a new person and have very little stiffness now. One of the other ladies had the same response, but had also changed another medication at the time so she was not sure the improvement was all from lasix.

I'd really be interesed to hear if anyone else tries this. I recommend giving it a try.

Yes, Absolutely!
 

Hi Pink Girl,

I was on Arimidex first and I had terrible joint pain in my hands and my fingers were locking more and more - it got pretty bad. I switched to Femara and it is soooo much better. I have to say my knees are worse, but not as bad as my hands had been on Arimidex, so it is a bit of a trade off, but a good one for me.

Arimidex also led to an unnessary surgery due to the side effect of thickening the uterine wall - had to have the surgery to make sure it wasn't something else - but it was concluded it was due to the Arimidex.

Switch, try them all, hopefully one will work better for you than another. Good Luck!

Donna

Bev, ARimidex and Femara both seem to impact my thumbs more then any other joint.