Arimidex Allergy?

Susan · 02-06-2008, 11:56 AM

Well, I finally was able to go on Arimidex, after my ooph, and now I might be allergic to it! I started early December on the Arimidex, then Christmas Eve, half of my face swelled up, and I looked like a monster! So I shrugged it off to a once a time thing, then I kept having hives almost every day. I then developed shingles, was on meds for that, then for the past 2 weeks, I keep getting these huge, huge welts all over my body. They are like 2 inches x 2 inches! I'd get like 3-4 a day, in different areas....so now the onco wants me to try to be off of the Arimidex for 2 weeks, and we'll see if that's it. I hope it's not the medication. Has any one had problems with Arimidex like this?

Sue

Jean · 02-06-2008, 01:55 PM

Sue,
Don't fret as you can always switch over to Femara. I did not have your problems with the Arimidex but had to change to femara. I am finding
on the Femara that I have this itching going on...I am not certain it
is in fact the Femara since I don't want to stop the Femara to test
it.

wishing you the best,
Jean

Hopeful · 02-06-2008, 03:14 PM

Rash is listed as a potential side effect of Femara.

Hopeful

Jean · 02-06-2008, 04:48 PM

Hi Hopeful,
Yes, I had read the lists of effects and I am feeling certain that this itching I have is from the Femara as I have eliminated the most obivious
items. I do not have a rash, or red skin of any kind, skin is normal looking,
as a matter of fact the itching is contained to one area, on both of my breasts. It is not a consent itch all day long but it is there and is very
annoying. It began about a month after I began Femara. I could stop
Femara for 2 weeks or 3 and observe it...but I am more concerned with
not taking the Femara as I am so strongly ER+ (90%)....

As the song goes, "It's just another day"....

Kind Regards,
Jean

Hopeful · 02-06-2008, 08:41 PM

Jean,

I have a friend who developed an itching on her affected breast while on Femara. Long story short, due to scratching the itching, she wound up with a dilly of a staph infection - even had a biopsy done to rule out Paget's disease. It took a lot of antibiotics and a long time to clear up. My rads onc gave me some Aquaphor and told me to use it if I started itching. Thank goodness, I have not had the necessity to try it yet, because I am very susceptible to itching reactions, but maybe you could give it a go.

Hopeful

Jean · 02-06-2008, 09:40 PM

Hopeful,
I have tried almost everything but not Aquaphor. Will try it !
Remember using it during radiation. Thanks,

Jean