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 |
| 1 | Weighing taking it, deciding not to | Idiot oncologist recommended, forget it after reading these accounts! | Ladies, this is made from POTASSIUM CYANIDE. I'd like to thank everyone who blogged here, it made me decide to look further and forego this. It doesn't 'cure' anything, it just lowers your chances of recurrence very slightly. My idiot (now fired) oncologist told me that my request for a bilateral mastectomy after diagnosis of IIA invasive ductal and also LCIS in the lumpectomy specimen was 'overkill' and called it 'like having a splinter in your toe and amputating your foot'. I told him that I didn't have a splinter, I had diagnosed cancer, and that I was using my feet but my boobs at 59 were trying to kill me and weren't exactly in use anymore, either! What a jackass, beware if you live in Roseburg, Oregon. I'd put in his name if I thought it wouldn't get me in trouble. He smugly told me that I'd never find a surgeon to do a bilateral on me (with apparently large amounts of LCIS on one side, I presume also on the other); I talk to the surgeon next week who did my lumpectomy, I trust him and we'll see what he says. But no way I'm taking any drug that reduces your estrogen levels down to zilch; this is insane. Your body, your bones, your joints and your brains need a little bit of estrogen. The data on this says it doesn't change survival rates. If I was younger or had young children, I might be willing to throw everything at it, but at this point, I can't die young anymore. My cancer is also mucinous which may well be less aggressive and slower growing. I'd rather | F | 59 | 0 days 1 1X day | 4/8/2013 | 1 | Stage I BC. Not in nodes. | I feel weak and tired and was fine thru chemo and radiation. Now six months after starting Arimidex,my liver is trashed. Am scheduled for CT scan on the 24. Great Christmas gift. Not. I am sorry about all the problems women are having on this drug.. I am 2 days off of drug. Not feeling any better. Waiting and hoping after it is out of my system, I will feel better. Good luck Lady's . | F | 45 | 6 months | 12/22/2012 | 1 | post breast cancer | jaw pain became so severe I couldn't chew. then it hit my right leg, couldn't put any weight on it and limped for about 3 months. Oncologist recommended an mri and that said I had bursitis which never happened before. Liver functions became elevated and oncologist took me off it. Then tried another aromatose inhibitor with same effects. Then tried Tamoxifen and took myself off that. | Quality of life counts! I read that only about 20% experience side effects and apparently I'm in that group. I eat real food, go to a personal trainer to keep my muscles and bones in shape, and smile and laugh with my wonderful husband as much as we can. | F | 67 | 15 months 1 mg 1X day | 3/3/2013 | 1 | BC Stage 1 Lumpectomy, Radiation | Started with hot flashes (never had them during menopause) so severe they caused painful boils to occur in armpits first, then groin/crotch area, under breasts which was controlled by treating topically. Eventually got painful boils inside nose, ears etc, which couldn't be treated. Started getting weak in joints, especially pain in knees, thighs, and general fatigue, didn't realize this was connected to Anastozle/Arimidex until I read other comments on this site and cried for myself and others who felt like a 90+ woman. Always active before, doing Zumba 2-3 x a week to walking with a cane in 1 year. Did research online and found out drug was not a cure, it was just a drug that MIGHT keep breast cancer away, but meanwhile not having estrogen could be and was worse for quality of life. Mother and grandmother had b/c so I thought I had to keep taking it so I could live longer, but this wasn't living. Stopped taking it 7 months ago and most symptoms have stopped. Can think better--not | Stopping Anastozle/Arimidex was VERY difficult. Suffered with pain and symptoms longer than I should have--at least a year and a half, didn't believe there was an alternative, oncologist told me it was my decision. Decided to take chance, wanted my life back. I try to eat healthy (always did, but more plant based diet/organic as possible now--less chemicals--minimize processed food--try to eat more raw food.) Everyone should watch documentary "Forks over Knives" to learn how bad meat and diary products are for us. Haven't decided yet if I will get annual mammograms, not sure if more radiation is good. Mother died of heart problems at 89 after having a mastectomy at 55 and kidney removed for kidney cancer at 75. I hope to live to dance, do Zumba and watch my grandson (he's 5 mo. old) get married. Drugs can do a lot, but I don't think they are always the best for us. Nature has the best pharmacy, and positive actions will hopefully produce positive results. Love to all who are suffering. Hopefully you can make the right decision for you. THANK YOU FOR THIS WEBSITE! It really helped to hear what others were experiencing and that I wasn't crazy or just getting old. It helped me to decide the life I wanted to have. | F | 64 | 22 months 1 mg 1X day | 9/24/2012 | 1 | stage 2 breast cancer | greatly diminished quality of life.bone and muscle pain. always felt like I had UTI. Weakness. big problems that lasted months after I stopped taking it | Taking Arimidex for 2 months, my quality of life took a nose dive. It will be 5 years in january since I started treatment for stage 2 breast cancer. Finished treatments the following August. After surgery chemo and radiation, I went to a doctor of Functional Medicine who had first been recommended by an oncology nurse.The doctor is a biochemist, internist and then an oncologist for 13 years. She is now a doctor of Functional Medicine. Which uses scientific methods to determine root causes and treat with natural supplements and vitamins. Stopped taking arimidex prescribed by oncologist Functional Doctor prescribed broccoli seed extract and other supplements to prevent recurrence without the debilitating side effects of pharmeceuticals.. Thoroughly researched, She gets the highest quality for her patients at cost. Also been using Iscador that I get through Weleda.(Prescribed by homeopathic doctor ). you can check it out online. Its an injection that used in Europe the past 80 years to prevent cancer. I also used aromatherapy for the problems caused by chemo and radiation. eat mostly organic foods, yoga etc. My philosophy has been, It is what it is. Do the best I can and NOT TO WORRY. For me the term "cancer survivor" puts too much attention on a negative experience. Having had cancer is just another one of my life's experiences. I do not let it define me. . I wish you all wellness | F | 60 | 60 days 1X day | 12/5/2012 | 1 | BCstage1 | At first emotional roller coaster, then agitation..Now I hurt all over, my shoulders, my hands go numb, they burn until they get over the numbness. weight gain after losing 150 lbs which is bad , I have 40 more to go. My mind is the worse, I can't remember from one minute to the next, then I get so panicky over just trying to find keys to car. I'm 56 I never experienced anything like this drug. I've took myself off for awhile and felt like myself...It's so hard to decide to take or not to. My hair has thinned. It's like the side effects get worse as the days go by. Now I know why my oncologist kept asking if I was still working. All she'd say was these drugs are bad!!!!! She was very truthful held nothing back. Although she believes it works.. | Cancer changes your life so much, unless you've experienced it you have no idea. I didn't. The feeling that no one understands the side effects how bad they are. I understand now , Wondering how much to tell your employer when you can't move or remember like you use to . I'm on new job and not able to keep things in my head because of the fog, what to do? that's all I keep asking .... Good luck to all on this drug I pray you have no side effects.. | F | 56 | 1 years 1 1X day | 12/30/2012 | 1 | BC, invasive dcis, stage 1, Er/pr+ | Severe depression, fatigue, memory loss, general brain function, blood pressure increased | Doesn't make sense to me (my body made that clear) that you take away all the many important and positive functions of estrogen for a very small decrease in the chance of recurrence. Why does everyone get the same dose? Why don't they measure estrogen levels before starting the med? What is happening to the brains of women 20' years after depriving their brains of estrogen for 5 years. I'm grateful my lymph nodes were clear. Ill take my chances now without this brutal drug. | F | 58 | 27 days 1 mg 1X day | 4/14/2013 | 1 | breast cancer stage IV | headaches, aches and pains, insomnia, night sweats, hot flashes, cognitive deficits | cannabutter at night helps with sleep and means I have some quality of life - without it, I would not have any quality of life and would no doubt be in a psychiatric facility or worse | F | 54 | 2 years 1X day | 1/4/2013 | 1 | metastatic breast cancer | I went off this due to a terrible rash with blistering and facial swelling, along with thinning hair and joint pain. I stayed off a month, then started back up with a half a dose. I seemed to be OK for a week, so started a full dose. Withing 24 hours I had a horrible rash all over my back, chest, abdomen. Also swollen eyes and visual changes. I stopped immediately, after 10 days the rash and intolerable itching have started to subside. I will not "try it again" no matter what the doc thinks. | This drug is terrible! Doctors should be more careful about prescribing it so readily. | F | 54 | 7 days | 9/6/2006 | 1 | Early breast cancer; lumpectomy | Couldn't take Tamoxifen; it made me feel strange. Took Fareston for 2.5 years w/no noticeable side effects. Drug became unavailable & doctor prescribed Arimidex. After about 6 months on drug, I suddenly experienced severe joint pain in shoulders, knees, feet, neck. I was unable to move about easily and only a steady dosage of Alleve helped with the pain. Work full time and had difficulty dealing with the daily pain, especially in the morning. Shooting pain in knees and feet. Stopped Arimidex 8 months ago and begain taking Glucosamine and coral calcium. After 6 months off Arimidex, the joint pain has subsided and I am able to do mild exercise. On the drug, I could not even swim. I feel the quality of life on Arimidex is very poor, and I decided to reclaim my life. I will leave the outcome and my future in Jehovah's hands. | F | 63 | 1 years | 8/3/2006 | 1 | Infiltrating lobular carcinoma | After lumpectomy and 6 weeks of radiation I felt that the experience wasn't as bad as I expected. I started Arimidex and it has been downhill all the way. I question which is worse, possible recurrance or the side effects! Everything aches, joints and muscles to the point of wondering how much longer I will be able to function and at what level. Facial hair is running rampant while the hair on my head is quickly thinning. My mind "freezes" on subjects well known before taking this medicine. The mood swings are terrible and I retreat to be by myself to avoid "irritations" more and more. I'm not sure I can continue with this for 5 years at the rate of deterrioration I'm experiencing now. At least I now know that it isn't just "me" that has these complaints, I'm glad I found this column. | F | 63 | 4 months | 6/21/2006 | 1 | breast cancer-stage 2-1 node | Hideous joint pain all over, can barely walk from pain sometimes; neuropathy in legs and feet (I'm not diabetic); arm and hand swells after sleep (water retention?); weight gain; appetite not normal; hair slowly falling out; sex drive gone. | I do not think that most women who are put on Arimidex by their oncologists are told about any of these dire side effects because the pharma doesn't want any negative press. They say the only side effects are hot flashes, maybe a little joint pain. The doctors are told that this is what keeps the cancer away the best so they act like they don't know why a woman is having terrible joint pain and other awful side effects. In my experience, it also seems that primary doctors are not even aware that taking an estrogen-sucking drug can harm other parts of the body, such as the heart/arteries, joints, and nerves. They try to diagnose other problems and send you to orthopedics, physical therapy, prescribe strong painkillers, etc. They act completely dumb about it. It's a cover-up and it's pitiful in my opinion. | F | 57 | 1 years | 6/16/2006 | 1 | Stage 3 b/cancer and lymphs | I'm really struggling I have monthly zoladex and arimidex. I'm so tired I can't function really depressed, painfull bones severe hot flushes have sickness & dihoreah daily and can't think straight short term memory bad I can't take anymore but have 4 kids and am so worried b/c will come back but can't take anymore | F | 39 | 2 months | 5/4/2012 | 1 | Adjuvent therapy for Breast cancer | My knees became so stiff I could barely stand up from a sitting position or in the morning upon wakening. Prior to taking the drug I was running 3-4 times per week, including a half-marathon. My fingers felt stiff although not as much as my knees. | After a year of discontinuing this drug, my knees I still experience stiffness and joint pain in my knees. | F | 52 | 4 months 1 mg 1X day | 4/30/2012 | 1 | Ductil Carcenoma in situ | Terrible rash all over my body about 45 days in. Could not stop itching. Doctor told me to stop medicine and as soon as I did rash went away. | Hopefully won't have to go through that anymore. Will not take cancer drug that end in strole!!! | F | 66 | 75 days 1mg 1X day | 12/22/2017 | 1 | Breast Cancer | Extreme fatigue, severe joint pain, trigger fingers, TMJ, cubital tunnel syndrome. Surgeries: trigger thumb release after 1 month on Arimidex. Trigger release opposite hand thumb and 2 fingers 5 months after last dose. Repeat release on 1 finger at 6 months. Cubital tunnel release at 13 months. Opposite elbow release and finger release at 18 months. Have 1 trigger finger remaining but am contemplating having all remaining fingers released (small fingers were not affected). Hands and fingers remain stiff and painful day and night and am unable to return to work yet. Have not yet addressed TMJ issues except to be diagnosed. | F | 52 | 4 months | 7/8/2013 | 1 | breast cancer | blurred vision, depression, bones hurt, hot flashes, nausea, dry mouth, pan in chest.i | I had stage 1 prog.,est. pos. breast cancer in my right breast. Had radiation and lymph nodes were clear. Also had a PET and no cancer seen anywhere. This is my second bout with cancer. 20 years ago had the same kind in my left breast. Started taking arimidex and feel horrible. read that it contains potassium cyanide. I am quiting this and will start taking Brevail which is a natural supplement. | F | 68 | 3 months 1mg 1X day | 7/7/2013 | 1 | cancer of one breast | my mom took this in hospital n after.she came home in three days she began hot flashs now is cognitive not in good shape sleep is irratic n her mind fogy n confussed n her mental state is poor we dont give her this or anything | F | 75 | 3 days | 11/25/2012 | 1 | 2x her2 + | Plantar fascitus, frozen shoulder, weight gain, depression, look and feel older. Glad I found this site. I didn't even think all the pain I am having was from this little pill. I am so lazy and only take it once every 4-5 days when I remember. My whole body aches. I finally let my PA talk me into taking some kind of blocker. | F | 39 | 3 months 1 | 7/12/2012 | 1 | breast cancer, stage 3 | In addition to hot flashes, night sweats, I have developed crippling pain in both hands, general bone pain, insomnia and a series of brain/ mental issues: headaches, brain fog, memory problems, inability to focus and am losing my sense of balance. I just stopped taking it. | This drug is vile. From what I can see it does not substantially improve upon the survival rate when compared to tamoxifen. I think it needs to be reevaluated by the FDA | F | 71 | 10 months 1 mg 1X day | 12/1/2012 |