ARIMIDEX Reviews (ANASTROZOLE)Average Rating: 2.5 (1431 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare ARIMIDEX with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Gender males first. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 |
More on ARIMIDEX: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ARIMIDEX | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 4 | for Breast Cancer | None so far | Whatever side effects that might come my way cannot compare to how I felt when I had a breast tumor (which has been removed) -- I would rather take Arimidex to be free of cancer --- If I do get any side effects I will post them -- I have been taking this pill for 3 weeks. | F | 57 | 3 months | 9/19/2007 | 4 | Stage II BC chemo + radiation | I can't sleep without a sleep aid anymore. I have constant pain in my joints (hips, KNEES, hands) I also have to take pain meds to function like I used to. I still dance, but much less due to my knee pain. I have much bone loss (due to chemo as well) My breast cancer was when I was 37. I took tomoxiphen for three years. My oncologist says I will stay on arimidex for 5 more years. I do have memory loss. It was more prevellant I believe during tomoxiphen though. I feel much better on Arimidex actually. My mental state and ability to cope with stress and others has changed dramatically, but I tend to blame most of that on menopause. I did gain about 20 pounds since I started Arimidex, but I also think that is due to the fact that my knees hurt so much that I can't exercise like I used to. | I look at this as a tool that is saving my life. I am certain that (like ALL drugs) it is not for everyone. But I really feel much much better than when I was on Tomoxiphen, so all in all, I am happy. Tomoxiphen made me feel like I was losing my mind. I couldn't make a complete thought or remember what I was doing. It has been 14 months since I have been on Arimidex and I feel like I am "waking up" honestly. Cancer sucks, but I am going to beat it. | F | 41 | 14 months | 7/10/2007 | 4 | BC Stage 2; <2cm ;5 of 16 nodes | Below my right thumb is swollen and barely usable. I have had low sex drive due to chemotherapy induced menopause-no change there. My memory is disturbingly bad and it seems like continuation of "chemo-brain", if not the same. Sleep is a distant memory w/o rx meds (not daily-want no dependence). I must reluctantly admit depression-my diagnosis did not depress me, but I now feel emotionally vulnerable. | Will continue because I trust my doctor and he has mentioned Femara as an alternative if the side effects become unbearable. I do know the physician can't help you if you don't tell them what is going on with you during your treatment. The medicine helps my peace of mind; only 36 days on the treatment. Will check back in a later with any new or improvement in side effects. | F | 47 | 36 days | 4/14/2007 | 4 | Breast Cancer | When I first started taking Arimidex my fingers and arms were number - last a few months. Now 4 years laters, I have joint paint, my hands and wrist hurt and have developed arthritis in my finger. The hot flashes seem to be getting worse. | F | 56 | 4 years | 1/28/2008 | 4 | 2 x survivor breast cancer st 1 | trigger fingers, joint and muscle aches, water retention, hot flashes that have subsided greatly. | This website has been a God send.....thought I was going nuts or that the cancer was back with all the aches and pains. I see the oncologist this week and am printing some pages for him to read. Since this is my second time (10 year interval) with cancer I know I need to take something to prevent it's return. | F | 59 | 16 months | 3/8/2008 | 4 | BC, Stage 2A, Mastectomy, Chemo | Slight occasional bone pain in different places, primarily hips and ankles; tingling and cramps in feet; lessened mental and physical energy. | Feel the "jury is out" regarding the ratings, but I'm celebrating being in my last of 5 years on this drug. Really can't complain about the side effects because I feel the hope of less chance of recurrence outweighs the discomfort. | F | 67 | 4 years | 3/2/2008 | 4 | breast cancer 7/06 | Joint pain, muscle pain and blood pressure starting to elevate, cholesteral up a bit. I began taking extra clacium at the start as my doctor and I agreed, also taking triple strength glucosamine sulfate and it took a few months but it has eased the pain to a tolerable level. | I was very lucky tumor 5mm and no where else. I will try to continue this medicine for the 5 years so far 1.5 years | F | 58 | 1.5 years | 2/12/2008 | 4 | breast cancer | Scary feeling when you are told that you need surgery to remove anything let alone a small tumour in your breast. That all happened in May of this year, then radiation, plus good ole Arimidex. It's very expensive (thank god for private insurance), it's easy to take at night, I'm constantly hungry, sweat at night, my muscles are very achy, bones feel weak, and I'm probably bitchy. Having said that, I'm thankful that there is a treatment so many have received providing good results. Thanks to those before us, we have a chance, unlike women who really had nothing but maming surgery, and toxic chemicals, only, back in the 60's. I should know because I watched my Mom suffer horribly with a complete masectomy & Lymph nodes removed, leaving her with a huge swollen arm, and then it spread to the rest of her tiny body. She always said she felt like a guinea pig, but without her willingness to fight, we would have had one less person (or stat) to learn from. God bless those before us. | F | 57 | 4 days | 12/11/2007 | 4 | Breast Cancer with nods removed | Leg Pain, Hair thinning, Depressed but the Zoloft helps alot, no sex drive, baically I really have no had any severe side effects. I could not understand why hair in tub after shower, but after reading all the other comments now I know why. I can live with the small side effects I have while Arimdex does it job. | F | 43 | 4 months | 11/16/2007 | 4 | breast cancer stg 1 | vaginal and skin dryness, fatigue, facial hair | effects all were mild. I am postmenopausal so cannot definitively name drug as cause. Only the fatigue has affected my life; and the chance to stay cancer free certainly outweighs that. | F | 75 | 4 years | 11/13/2007 | 4 | Breast Cancer | Hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue and joint pain. But since I can't tolerate Tamoxifen and need one or the other for the next 5 years I'll happily put up with the side effects. If I don't take it for the full 5 years I increase my chances of the cancer recurring by 15%. | The joint pain has dulled (or I'm getting used to it). I wasn't happy about going through menopause AGAIN (and neither was my family) but understand the need to do it. I'm just so glad that there's an alternative to Tamoxifen! | F | 60 | 3 months | 11/19/2007 | 4 | BC stage 3, 5cm tumour, 17 nodes | possibly restless sleep, dry vagina, what's sex???!!!! | considering I had multiple tumours between 1-5cm, and 17 out of 20 lymph nodes infected and am still reoccurrence free 4 years later, maybe this drug is helping. I had mastectomy, chemo, radiation and tamoxifen for 2 yrs. | F | 45 | 14 months | 12/14/2007 | 4 | Breast Cancer | F | 59 | 3 years | 6/19/2009 | 4 | Breast cancer, radiation, no nodes | Too many side effects to list, felt like i had rheumatoid arthritis for 2-3 years. Hair's thin, hands go numb, I had many symptons you all have had or are having. but, I have to say, either i've learned to adjust to the discomfort, or the symptoms have lessened. My five years is up in September and am so looking forward to going off this drug, but I don't see the docs until January. At my last visit, they said they have FDA approval to continue it for seven years. An option I think I'll pass on | F | 63 | 4 years | 6/18/2009 | 4 | Breast Cancer | Mood swings, cannot tolerate heat, sun etc, unable to sleep, joint problems,extreme fatigue, hot flashes, sweating etc. | Please try to hang in there, my side effects have gotten better over time, still have some joint problems but they are much better. Biggest problem after 3 years is trying to sleep at night, I have tried taking the medication at different times but it doesn't seem to help, I still can't sleep well, the hot flashes are gone, but still can't tolerate any type of heat, my air conditioner has to be set low for me to be comfortable. All in all I tolerate the medicine very well after 3 years, still some fatigue but it is much better than when I first started taking it. 3 clear mammograms is worth some discomfort. My co-pay on the med. has risen steadily though, seems like I pay more each time I have to order it!!To those of you that have just started taking the medicine, more than likely your side effects will lessen over time, when I started the medication I absolutely hated it and quite honestly thought I just couldn't go on with it. Persevere!! the med is a whole lot better than the cancer treatments!! | F | 58 | 3 years | 6/18/2009 | 4 | Stage 1 Grade 1 BC | I have been on Arimidex for a bit over 9 months now and must say that I feel pretty good. Some minor joint stiffness but I take Glucosamine and Soft Tissue Repair supplements, exercise regularly in addition to strength training 2x a week. I have changed my diet 100% - have not gained one ounce. I also drink wheat grass daily in addtion to pomegranate juice. I see a certified nutritionist weekly and again have to say that the side effects I have experienced such as hot flashes and night sweats, while a bit uncomfortable are not terrible. I wear cotton only, in layers, and keep my enviornment on the cool side. I did experience depression but in all honesty, I don't think it was from the Arimidex, rather it was from the diagnosis. I did start on Lexapro around the same time and feel 100% better. I do feel that I have tolerated the drug very well and do hope that it continues along this path. I share this with you to offer possible suggestions that may ease the side effects for some | While I would prefer to not have to be on Arimidex, this is the hand that has been dealt to me and I will do whatever I can to have some control over my destiny - hopefully and to never have to experience BC or any other cancer again, God willing. I will stick with it for as long as deemed necessary. In truth, I am more concerned about what will happen when I complete my five year treatment. Good luck to all. | F | 50 | 9 months | 7/18/2009 | 4 | Stage 2 in the lymph nodes | I have been taking this for one year. There were times that my bones ached, but it seems to come and go. I have had insomina and some anxiety. | Since I have hope that this will keep the cancer from reoccuring, I plan to continue to take the Arimidex. Ladies, ask your doctors for help. I take medicine to help me sleep and for my anxiety. Actually, I feel almost normal. | F | 62 | 1 years | 8/2/2009 | 4 | prevent breast cancer re-occurance | I ws a little 'creaky' at first, but just kept moving and now I'm fine. A little 'hot flashy' also, but I would expect that anyway as I was hormone therapy before. No weight gain, in fact I've lost a couple pounds without really trying. | I would say to people who need it, give it a try with an open mind. I, for sure, do NOT want to go through the cancer experience again, and if Arimidex reduces my chances of that happening, I am thankful for it! And also, if you do have awful side effects from any drug, speak up and try something different, you do have options. | F | 56 | 2 years | 5/31/2009 | 4 | breast cancer | thinning hair | F | 75 | 3 months | 5/31/2009 | 4 | Breast Cancer | Joint pain, osteoporosis,high cholesterol. | I finish 5 years in July 2009 and my Dr. is trying to talk me into a clinical trial with femara.There is no way I'll do it. After chemo, radiation , and 5 years of Arimidex, I've had enough. | F | 58 | 5 years | 4/13/2009 |