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 Date added. 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 |
| 3 | Breast cancer | Most of my problems began when I started taking the generic form. Flu-like symptoms, joint pain, breat discomfort, weight gain without any reason, increased gastric problems. The problems have interfered with daily functioning. | F | 53 | 1 years 1mg 1X day | 3/7/2011 | 2 | stage 1 lobular breast cancer | This is a follow-up to my post of 12/5/10. I have many side effects after 4 months being on the generic form of Arimidex. I am going to stop this medication because of how its use has affected my life. Rated 2 (this medicine did not work to my satisfaction), rather than 1 (I would not recommend taking this medicine) because others have not had a negative experience and it may work fine for them. | When I started this medication, I had good energy and was able to function well in my daily life. The constant nagging aches and pains, hair loss, GERD symptoms, fatigue, memory problems and foggy thinking, and strange, brief sudden pains in various places in my body have convinced me that this drug is toxic for me. The hot flashes are manageable, but the other symptoms are seriously affecting me. I am very concerned that because the side effects are increasing, that my quality of life is in jeopardy. I can't imagine taking this drug for 5 years. I had no problems with my lumpectomy surgery and no problems with radiation and had good energy through it all and had a good attitude. I still have a positive outlook, and feel that my mental outlook will improve when my body has a chance to recover from the effects of the drug. It is a risk to stop; I understand that and accept it. I wish all of you well and see that some posts indicate no side effects at all -- it just shows how each individual processes the drug differently. The observation from several people questioning why the dosage is exactly the same for everyone is a point well taken. I thank askapatient.com for having this website -- there are few places where patients can see such a broad cross section of drug effects. And thanks to all contributors who have been proactive, sharing their experiences. Blessings to all. | F | 65 | 4 months 1 mg 1X day | 3/2/2011 | 1 | back, hip, right leg pain and ankle swelling. | My 80 year old mother has been taking this drug for almost 1 year, at which time she had to discontinue. I am pretty sure this drug is a bad news bear! My mother has osteoporosis and Arimedex is very bad for your bones, also she has experienced very bad pains in the hip and leg like sciatica type pain. She has lost height and I'm pretty sure when she goes for her bone density test next month they will say that her bone density is low...think twice about taking this especially if you have osteoporosis, even if you are taking fosomax, you will still lose bone, and quality of life! | F | 80 | 11 months 1X day | 2/22/2011 | 1 | breast cancer stage 2 | Terible hot flashes all day and night, sore feet and bone aches, upset tummy, mood swings, disturbed sleep.Severe tiredness. | No one understands what we go thru on this drug! Would love to stop it but am scared. No sympathy from oncologist or solutions. | F | 52 | 18 months 1X day | 2/20/2011 | 1 | breast cancer | I started taking Femera in July '09 after I finished chemo/radiation. Summer of '10 started becoming inchy when I got hot so stay in air conditioning then around Dec '10 I started breaking out all over so I switched to the generic of Arimidex. I all ready had joint pain and sleeplessness but I too feel like I am beginning to gain wait. I fear what this drug is doing to me and contemplate going off of it. I am two years out from my original diagnosis. The mammogram I had in 12/10 of my remaining breast was clear and the pet scan I had in '09 was also clear. So do I stay on it????? Insurance won't pay for another pet scan nor cat scans. I know others that have gone off of it. | F | 56 | 1 months 1 mg 1X day | 2/17/2011 | 1 | brca rt duc. invasive lobu sta 3 | joint pain, need replaced both hips, rt knee. dry rough skin, dizzy, want to kill myself every day, no cancer though. i had it twice. i would rather die than take the medication. hair thinning. i look like a blown up balloon, gained 26 pounds. craving for sweets. can't walk, can't climb the smallest step, can't reach, bend, stoop, have headaches, nails are dry and separated from skin. legs and hands and fingers dry and numb. dehydrated severely. teeth falling out. inflamation in teeth and joints. arimidex robbed me of my early retirement . was always healthy until i was 57. cancer had little effect on me and chemo and radiation. the drawback is the arimides. i am only 64 and i feel 1000. no spirti, no will power, or enthusiasiam. taking 5400 miligrams of ibprofen just to sit in a wheelchair. i can not lift my legs into bed each night. i am all old and drained and dried up. | F | 64 | 4 days 1 1X day | 2/15/2011 | 2 | Posted back on 12/7. Saw oncologist last week for 90 seconds. Told Im done its been 5 years. She did not want to hear about my side effects. I told her I stopped early. On the counter was a newsletter stating that this drug showed significantly less side effects in the clinical trials than in has in practice.My side effects are much improved, need to lose some weight. God be with you all. | F | 53 | 2.5 years 1X day | 2/14/2011 | 1 | Breast cancer, stage 2 | Foggy brain, totally unable to function in corp world. Joint pain, no one will understand. I would choose shorter expectancy of life, rather than not having a life, thats what arimidex does. | I think, the one tablet does not do correct justice, to a 50 kg and or 100 kg lady. Needs more study on that one. The one tablet for all is not ok. It effects everything, mind and body. Alah, is why many choose not too..... | F | 49 | 18 months 20mg 1X day | 2/14/2011 Patient History | 4 | Stage 4 Breast Cancer, | I took tomoxafin for about 3 years, then had a mini-strike. I have a lot of the side effects, but I could not take Tomoxafin, Arimidex was safer. I have hair loss (use Rogaine for Men), I break bones all the time, I have gained a lot of weight (better than unexplained loss), I have extreme vaginal dryness, infections etc., but I would rather suffer these than the cancer. I had two different types of cancer - both breasts - stage 4 on one side, stage 2B on the other, double mastectomy, brain surgery (benign tumor)extensive chemo and radiation. But Arimidex is my friend. | I am going on 11 years remission - thank you Arimidex. They want to take me off it, but I am fighting it. | F | 71 | 7 years 1 MG 1X day | 2/11/2011 | 2 | Breast Cancer | frequent and severe hot flashes, depression, insomnia, really tired all the time, joint pain, | I have decided to stop. I had a very active life style, my husband is 77 and goes to his office everyday. I had cervical cancer 18 years ago and beat that with very aggressive treatment with some very unpleasant long term side effects. but at 72 I want my quality of life back | F | 72 | 14 months 1 mg 1X day | 2/6/2011 | 3 | Breast Cancer | Most side effects others are having. My hair is falling out more and I found a shampoo Nioxin and it seems to help along with cutting it short. I wear wigs from TLC.com and my teeth are getting sensitive hot and cold. Not sure if it the Arimidex doing it for my teeth. I have good no cavities and good gums. | I have other friends on it and feel the same and some are not taking it against their Dr. advice. I wish well to all that is taking it. I pray for a cure for Cancer. | F | 59 | 2 years 1mg 1X day | 2/5/2011 | 2 | Stage 3 Breast Cancer | Thankfully, I didn't experience any more hot flashes than I had previously, from early menopause that I experienced due to a hysterectomy. Unfortunately, I did experience some very unpleasant side effects. I was hoping to find my body and brain recovering, becoming stronger and "healthier", regaining a sense of balance after the battle of chemo. Instead, I seem to just be on a downhill slope of increasing and new symptoms. My "chemo brain" doesn't seem to be getting any better. I'm having trouble finding the right words and remembering things. I can't seem to get enough sleep and even fall asleep at my desk and computer. Getting up to walk is SO painful and sometimes I just have to PULL myself up, FORCE a foot to move, and literally WILL my legs to move. I look like I'm twice my age, but once I'm up and going, I walk pretty well - just a bit slower than normal. The bone pain is the worst part of it all and is absolutely excruciating. I developed neuropathy from chem | Even with the problems that I've had with this drug, I'm so glad that these drugs exist, because if each drug can help keep just one person alive and cancer-free, it's doing its job. Recovery didn't come without discomfort and staying alive won't either! I'd rather be here with my family, friends, and precious children in my class and all the people that I have yet to meet with pain as my companion than to just feel like a sitting duck waiting helplessly for cancer to strike again. At least we're armed! | F | 49 | 4 months 1 mg 1X day | 2/2/2011 | 3 | Breast Cancer - estrogen driven | I have been on Arimidex 2 and a half years. I have had all of the horrible side effects: unbearable hot flashes, extreme joint pain, felt like a 90 year old woman. When I was sitting and stood up, it took me a minute to be able to walk and the walking was very painful until I had walked for a while. I usually exercise 7 hours a week, the elliptical and weights and have been able to keep that up. But I am writing because I have started taking some supplements that have been like a miracle for me. I take 2 - 500mg of turmeric a day and 8 oz. of Light grape juice with 1 T of CERTO mixed into the grape juice. I am almost back to my old self. The pain is not gone, but much, much better and the hot flashes have lessened. I just had to share, this has been like a lifesaver for me. I hope this can help some other people too. | F | 65 | 2 years 1 mg 1X day | 1/28/2011 | 1 | IDC Stage 1 | severe insomnia, numbness in hands, memory loss, hair loss, severe joint pain to the point of needing crutches, fatigue, balance issues & tripping, weight gain. | I feel like I am 80 years old. Originally took Femara but side effects were worse than Arimidex. Stopped Arimidex 4 days ago and the pain is starting to go away. Oncologist recommended acupuncture but it didn't work. Also had MRI on spine & it showed inflammation. Inflammation is also dangerous for the body. I don't trust that these side effects are temporary. I cannot risk permanently damaging my joints at my age. I was on so many drugs to counter side effects that I felt like I was living in a fog. These aromatase inhibitors are horrible drugs. I would rather have had 6 months on chemo and be done. Oncotype DX test said I did not need chemo. I had a lumpectomy with clear margins, no +nodes & radiation. I am asking doctor for Tamoxafin. | F | 57 | 2 months 1 mg 1X day | 1/28/2011 | 2 | Breast Cancer | Hot Flashes,nausea,hair loss,bone pain,stomach distress,tiredness and memory loss. I will continue to take till the five yrs is up or till the side effects gets to bad. | F | 59 | 2 years 1mg 1X day | 1/27/2011 | 1 | breast cancer | joint pains, hot flashes, chills, neck pains, falls, fatigue, some incontinence, backwardness, reticence, posture, blood pressure, back pains | Whoa! I've gone from a woman who could ride a bike, walk, climb steps easily, get out of chairs to someone who can't do those things easily or at all. Now I have to make sure the restroom has a handicaped toilet or I can't go. I haven't had a broken bone in 68 years and now have a badly broken wrist from a fall. I can't go on like this. I have got to feel better. I am going off the drug. I will gradually go off the same way I went off hormones. The Lord willing in four months I will have my life back. If the cancer occurs again I will have a masectomy and no drugs. At my age what have I got to lose. | F | 75 | 11 months joint 1X day | 1/27/2011 | 2 | estrogen receptive breast Ca | Horrible hot flashes,joint pain esp. knees,hands,elbows and weight gain. Good news for Hot Flashes. | Dx with Stage I,estrogen receptive Invasive Ductal Ca/ Aug/2010. 30 Rad. Therapy treatments/no chemo after oncotyping. Began Anastrozole (generic for Arimidex) 1mg/per day. Didn't want to take after reading side effects. Immediately began to gain wt. Had lost 45 lbs 2 yrs ago..began to gain 2 lbs/wk. To date/ 22lbs. Joint pain..like elderly person. Take Ibuprophen alot. The hot flashes were unbelievable. Thought I was just about over them. First began for me at 49 y/o. Gyn, prescribed FemHrt. Took 4 1/2 yrs. That was immediately stopped after Dx of Ca. Wish I had never taken. Since beginning Anastrozole, hot f. 4/hr with severe intensities. Ca Dr. gave Effexor.(antidepressant) standard for hot flashes. No good for me. My other Dr. gave/ Pristiq (antidep.50mg./day) and Seroquel 200/mg day (helps sleep and enhancs the Pristiq) . This combination is great. Hot F's measureably decreased in frequency and severity. Sleeping so much better. Ask your Dr./you may have to push. Dr's usually prescribe what is pedalled to them by sales reps. good luck, Nancy Nashville | F | 56 | 5 years 1mg 1X day | 1/23/2011 | 1 | breast cancer | joint pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, headaches, hot flashes | Horrible side effects!Very cruel! I was fine for 2 weeks, then I started living with hot flashes and pain all day long. I can't concentrate to do my daily chores because of the pain. Five years of this drug causing bone loss is frightening! It is dangerous for old people to have osteoporosis.This drug is almost like poison. I am not sure how long I can tolerate the pain.. I really don't want full blown osteoporosis.The onc wants to give me Zometa.(bisphsphonates on IV)But, that has a whole set of problems of its own. How could the same dosage of Arimidex be given to everyone? We are caught between a rock and a hard place and it is extremely depressing. The FDA should know about the horrible effects of this drug. Maybe more studies should have been done before it was released | F | 65 | 45 days 1 mg 1X day | 1/22/2011 | 1 | stage 3 BC, 20+nodes | Severe joint pain-knees, hands, feet. Can't sleep, weight gain, mood swings,vaginial dryness, memory loss | I was Dx with stage 3b BC back in April, i have had chemo & radiation and mastectomy. waiting to do reconstruction next year. Since I started taking Armidex my life has gone down hill. I feel as I am an 80 yr old woman.Can barely get out of bed in mornings, cant close my hands all the way, if i sit for more than an hour i have major trouble standing up. Lots of fatigue. This is driving me crazy. I am ONLY 39 yrs old!! OH and sex....yeah right!! The dryness is so bad its very painful even using lubricant. I want to stop taking it but i am scared to stop. But i feel i have no quality of life on this stuff. I have read other comments and I see the same thing is happening to other women. I get maybe 3 hrs sleep a night. I just went back to work and that does help some, but where i use a computer all day, it makes my hands and arms hurt worse. I am supposed to take this for 5 years but i fear i will be crippled by then. What to do?? | F | 39 | 7 months 1mg 1X day | 1/19/2011 | 2 | breast cancer | Have experienced general aches and pains, severe headaches and muscular pain along with the most terrible hot flushes and a real sense of fatigue and lethargy thats making me feel old before my time plus I've gained nearly 2 stones in weight that I just can't shift however hard I try. I also suffer from palpatations and have been experiencing the most severe depression I've ever had. I'm so stressed and irritable all the time and my memory has become so poor that it's really effecting my work and my relationships. My oncologist says is probably not the arimidex causing these symptoms......all I know is I didn't have them before and although part of me feels I should be grateful that thed drug is keeping my cancer at bay another part of me longs for the day when I can stop taking them and get my life back. Good luck to all of you fellow arimidex users out there x | F | 49 | 18 months 1mg 1X day | 1/18/2011 |