[Becky]

I will be on Arimidex 11 years in Sept. My onc has no problems with this and wants me to stay on. However, several months ago I went on an almost 2 week business trip and forgot them. I thought it might be a good test. As many of you know, I like my research. Arimidex and Femara have a 2 day half life so basically in a week, very little is left. Depending on your individual metabolism, it takes 3-6 weeks to get effective circulating levels back when resuming. I think this is why when women start, they don't get the joint pain (if you're going to get it) for a month or so. The short half life is why you feel better so fast when stopping.

I never got joint pain but have a bad back. I felt no different. I resumed when I got home and had back problems a month later. I don't know if this is coincidence. I had some back issues prior to bc. I take d3 and have over 60 level. I was 70 once.

I just wanted to set the record straight on that AIs don't stick around that long after you stop and it takes a few weeks to really start working when you do start or restart taking them.