Arimidex
 

Hello everyone, I was just wondering if anyone out there was put on a 5 year regiment of Arimidex. If so I am having bad bone aches and severe headaches, which I believe are due to the medication. If you have been on it and had side effects, do they decrease over time or should I talk to my onc about changing to Tamoxifin? Thanks.

Re: Arimidex
 

Hi Carrie,

I don't know how long you've been taking it but would stay on it for a few months before switching. I've been taking it for seven years now, I do have bone aches but take glucosamine/chondroitin for that daily on the advice of my Onc and exercise usually helps too so I walk a lot. I finished my five years but as my Onc said the newer studies for ten years are showing promise I decided to stick with it only because the side effects I have are preferable to a recurrance.:)

Re: Arimidex
 

Hi Carrie,
I had started treatment on Arimdex - had headaches also, bone pain was present but doable.
But the headaches were constant...so after a month my dr. switched me to Femara. While it is an AI treatment like Arimdex (tomaxfin is not an AI) and is usually not given to women who are post menopausal. Also AI 's have been showing better treatment than Tomaxfin for us.
Ask your onc. about switiching over to Femara. It is not uncommon for some to have headaches with one AI and when switching - no headaches. It worked for me.
I also have been on the Femara for over 5 yrs. as the current releases are presenting longer treatment. As this is a newer treatment the final trials are not in yet.
I would recommend switching after 2 to 3 wks if the headaches continue...
Best Wishes,
Jean

Re: Arimidex
 

I was on a 5 yr regimen of arimidex. For the first year the side effects of joint pain were pretty severe...ignorance was bliss as I just thought it was the next in series of feeling crappy!! Then when it started to dissipate and I was feeling better I realized how badly I had felt. Duh!!! The first few months were the worst. I am glad I did all the treatments I did...even with horrid side effects because, today, I feel GREAT!!! Hoping you will too!!!

Re: Arimidex
 

I started Arimidex in January and have had a constant headache since. In April I was ready to call it quits but decided to give it 6 months. The past few months have gotten better. I still get a headache almost every day about an hour after I take Arimidex but it's not too bad and seems to go away after a little while. It seems on the days I drink more water I don't really notice a headache. I don't know if that's related or not but seems to make sense :) The body aches didn't last as long. Seems like they were gone in a couple of months.

oh the joys.....
Jeri

Re: Arimidex
 

Hello,
Have you tried taking it at night?
There was an article in the London Telegraph about women dying because they stopped taking their drugs because of the side effects. Doctors are becoming really worried.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...cer-drugs.html
I hope the side effects improve or you doctor finds a good alternative drug but keep taking it.
hugs
sarah