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 |
| 5 | Stage 2 breast cancer | Bone pain, especially in my joints. Acid reflux, depression. I have a hard time getting up after sitting and lying down. | F | 54 | 1 years 1 mg | 1/25/2012 | 5 | Infiltrating ductal Ca Stage 2B | Bone pain, tiredness, weight gain, I don't get as many pimples. It hasn't been that bad...I try to always be active so I don't get so stiff. | I was diagnosed in June 2003 with Left breast ca(opted modifed rad mastectomy); had atypical dysplasia on the right the previous year(which was excised). I started Arimidex after 6 mos. of Taxoterre, Cytoxan & Adriamycin. I decided not to have radiation.Had mastectomy on the right 2005 followed by bil. reconstruction. I continue to take Arimidex and my oncologist told me that it is perhaps a treatment I will have for life....after all one never knows if one has beat cancer....only if you die from some other ailment other than cancer. | F | 49 | 3.5 years | 3/10/2007 | 5 | Stage 0 - DCIS | I am fortunate that I have experienced very few side effects with the exception of pain in my shins when I first started the med. I have no pain now. I attribute it to giving up sugar, preservatives, processed foods and artificial flavorings and dyes (my oncologist didn't encourage me to change my diet). I have also lost 18 lbs since being diagnosed March 2006 (without starving myself). There are a lot of good books available about "beating cancer with diet." | Lumpectomy and Radiation | F | 56 | 7 months | 3/6/2007 | 5 | Stage 1 Breast Cancer (lumpectormy) | Knees and ankles a bit stiff or "loose" feeling; increased facial hair | Joint issues have quite markedly improved in the last 5 months; when I wrote after only taking Arimidex for 4 weeks and being still pretty sedentary after the lumpectomy, I was very concerned about my knees and ankles. They didn't hurt, but they felt stiff and tentative, kind of weak and "loose" instead of strong. I found that the more vigorous the excercise in which I engage (including running, weight lifting, aerobics, kick-boxing, swimming) the more normal those joints feel. I think it's important for anyone on this medicine to avoid weight gain, but with exercise and sensible diet it's not that hard. I am very happy and relieved that, except for a slight increase in facial hair (which I go to a salon to have waxed off every two months or so, and am not above shaving with a razor as needed), I seem to have no negative symptoms from this medicine. My upcoming physical will reveal whether cholesterol is up or whether I have other issues not apparent, but 6 months on I jus | F | 57 | 6 months | 4/7/2006 | 5 | Stg3 BC,chemo,double mast.,radiatio | Quite a bit of achiness and stiffness...some fatigue...some memory loss ( or does that just come with getting older?) No weight gain - but I am fairly disciplined with my diet and work out regularly - which I think helps with the sore joints a bit. Fewer hot flashes than when I was on the tamoxifan. I trust that these side effects are worth it! | F | 51 | 6 months | 3/13/2006 | 5 | early breast ca | raised ggts | hopefully it will work......... | F | 56 | 1 years | 9/28/2005 | 5 | Breast Cancer Stage II B? | Weight gain, stiff joints/gout, fuzzy memory, hair thinning and facial hair. Anyone else have facial hair or is this from something else? | I have been free from cancer for 6 years. I was first on Tamoxifin and and have been on Arimidex since available. I have had no reoccurence! | F | 55 | 6 days | 10/27/2006 | 5 | Stage IIB breast cancer 3 positive | Joint pains and hot flashes I will have taken the drug for 5 years in january. i was fortunate to be placed on what was an encouraging protocol for my stage of disease but at the end I was only eligible for Tamoxophen. I begged my oncologist to see if the the administrators of the study would allow me to take the Arimidex because of its greater success rate and lower severity of side effects. I am a pathologist so i am well aware of my risks and am grateful everyday for the drug. My knees hurt most of the time and in the morning my feet are very tender...I walk like a horsehoe crab sometimes. | In a nutshell....whatever my symptoms are right now, they are better than the alternative. By the way...for the lady with finger arthritis...i have it too. i consider it related to the drug. | F | 59 | 4 years | 9/2/2006 | 5 | breast cancer | muscle and joint aches, fatigue, spotting | F | 40 | 10 months | 9/15/2006 | 5 | breast cancer leading to mastectomy | When on Tamoxifen, I gradually developed all the side effects over two years. I was then switched to Arimidex. My 'blue' days disappeared completely, as did the hot flushes and the 'teenage' acne. I feel ancient in the mornings as hands and knees extremely stiff and unreliable until gentle stretch exercises get me going. I gained 3stone on Tamoxifen and hoped it would shift with the new drug - no signs yet after 2 years. | F | 60 | 29 months | 4/22/2006 | 5 | breasta cancer stage II-Grade II | joint pain-knees, back, shooting pain in feet as well as tinglingly, extremely exhausted and tired at times | F | 58 | 8 months | 6/28/2005 | 5 | stage II B -dx in1994 | I am very happy with this drug. I have joint pains EVERYWHERE. Feet,elbows,knees,hips,on and on. Worst in the morning but get better as the day goes on.Hot flashes got better the longer I was on it but the bone pain has only gotten worse with time. BUT I'M ALIVE Took tamoxifen for 4 years before Arimidex. | F | 46 | 7 years | 11/17/2006 | 5 | breast cancer | All of the side effects that are talked about here. Fatigue, depression, joint pain and hot flashes. See my comment under the ratings of "3". I've found an answer for myself. Anti-inflammatory diet has helped in a HUGE way. Scroll down for my entry "estrogen pos. node pos. stage 3" (it's down at the 3's) | Read all you can about the loss of estrogen on the female body. The high levels of homocysteines can cause all of these symptoms. I've done away with wheat, sugar, caffiene and commercially made foods, for the most part. I feel like NORMAL again. God Bless. | F | 52 | 18 months | 12/3/2006 | 5 | Stage 1 DCIS, radiation, no chemo | The drug was aging me prematurely -- vision problems, aching joints and muscles, exhaustion, inablility to fall asleep, could barely get out of a chair with painful hips and lower back. When I developed trigger finger in my thumbs, I went off the drug, but already had severe nerve damage and carpal tunnel by then. I'm trying to buy time to avoid surgery. (See my additional reply at rating 2.) | Stay on this drug if you don't experience accumulating pain and sided effects. Contact me if you developed carpal tunnel or trigger finger. I want to know how long your symptoms remained and how your doctor revised your treatment. | F | 59 | 3 months | 1/7/2007 | 5 | breast cancer | joint and muscle pain | F | 53 | 3.5 years | 7/6/2007 | 5 | Breast Cancer | For the first 3 years I did not have too many side effects, but then started with bone pain, dramatic weight increase, knee problems. I have since been diagnosed with arthritis of the spine, caused by this drug. | I have now been taken off Arimidex after 5 years and am experiencing a lot of bone pain. Is there anyone out there who has come off Arimidex quickly - what side effects have you had? Did your weight increase reduce? Have any bone pains reduced. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. | F | 65 | 5 years | 7/12/2006 | 5 | bc stage1, lumpectomy, radiation | bones are thinner, some joint pain and stiffness, about 10 lbs weight gain | In 10 days I will finish my five years of Arimidex and will be interested to see if I notice any change. I have dealt with it well and apparently have had few side effects. I continue to work full time, am not depressed, have lost no hair -- hot flashes have diminished over the years. Guess I've had it easy. | F | 65 | 5 years | 4/6/2008 | 5 | Odds are this medicine will keep my estrogen positive cancer from coming back. It does cause hot flashes and bone pain. Death from preventable cancer is not an acceptable alternative. | I have read many complaints on various blogs about joint and bone pain and sleeplessness in those who take Arimidex. For those suffering joint and bone pain from taking Arimidex, I have some news. My doctor(s) recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements which have helped me greatly and will probably help you. It seems Arimidex may inhibit your ability to absorb Vitamin D and thus inhibits your body’s ability to absorb calcium(?) Anyway, get your blood D levels tested and don’t be surprised if they are low. Ask your doctor how much calcium and vitamin D are right for you. Also, a moderate exercise program (swimming is great) will help with sleep and muscle pain. I have been taking a calcium supplement and about 200 percent of daily recommended D for about 3 weeks and I already notice a big difference. If you are taking an aromatase inhibitor, it would be a bad idea to stop without talking to your doctor about the vitamin D/calcium connection first. | F | 51 | 6 days | 3/30/2008 | 5 | breast cancer | I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I have experienced no side effects. I am thankful for this drug and want to let others know that not everyone who takes Arimidex has the awful side effects that so many write about on this website. | F | 67 | 12 months | 11/8/2008 | 5 | Stage 1 BC radiation, no chemo | I found this site in Jan ‘08 after being on tamoxifen two years and on arimidex for nearly three years. Had such hot flashes and leg cramps with the ta, that was eager to go on arimidex. Since, I have had 4 surgeries for trigger finger, another one “going”...beginnings of carpel tunnel, JOINT pain, WEIGHT GAIN, neuropathy in my feet, swelling in one foot, hair loss, and feeling OLD. This site is great as thought all this might be just getting old. NOT SO after reading all the trouble so many of you have had. Two good friends had to quit this drug because of their arthritis. | Now I have been OFF arimidex for 6 weeks and it is a JOY to FEEL GOOD again, energy coming back, hair coming back, hands so much stronger…so there is light at the end of the tunnel. Sub-lingual vitamin B6 helped the swelling in my foot. Am happy I could get thru the 5 years of treatment as have lots left to do in this life. Good luck to all of you. | F | 76 | 3 years | 5/3/2008 |