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 | Stage IIB ER+ Breast Cancer | Fatigue, pain/weakness in upper arm resembling the symptoms of "Frozen Shoulder", leg cramps at night, pain on top outer side of foot, face wrinkles that appeared quickly after starting the medication. | I'm keeping a close watch on symptoms. I'm also not sure how to rate a product when I can't predict if I will be diagnosed with cancer again at some time in the future - so I gave it a 3 and I'm assuming it's doing it's job and "helped somewhat". I'm adding vitamin D3 to see if it helps with foot pain. Arm pain mysteriously disappeared after a weekend of painting! I'm cutting back on all soy and flaxseed products in my diet after reading that they add estrogen to your system (exactly what the Arimidex is supposed to delete from your system!). Wish I could still have some estrogen for my skin's sake! The fatigue comes and goes so maybe its a biorhythm thing? I don't understand some posts here that are from women who have only been on Arimidex for a few days. That's not enough time to make a judgement. And I also don't understand why anyone would be on Arimidex for more than the recommended 5 year limit. My experience with Arimidex side effects has been mild so far, but I will continue observing and trying to be "my own best doctor". Blessings, Namaste. | F | 59 | 18 months | 3/26/2009 | 4 | stage 1 estrogen receptor cancer | I have experienced joint pain, weight gain, extra facial hair and tiredness | I recently joined weight watchers and it has changed my life. I never had a weight problem so I did not know how to diet. They provide a life style change, that I know will stay with me for the rest of my life. I recently started stretching out my legs, hips and back and it seems to have dimished any joint pain. I started by mistake. My cat likes me to get on the floor and play with her, so in the process of getting up and down, I found some relief. I then started doing some simple yoga stretches and I almost feel back to normal. If this is the worst I am going to feel, then I'm ok with it. Afterall, who wants breast cancer. Sometimes you have to give something up to get something better in the long run.. LIFE | F | 57 | 3 months | 3/25/2009 | 3 | ER pos. node involved breast cancer | Joint pain, tiredness, stiffness, severe weight gain | I posted a comment on this site over a year ago and would just like to add some more. At the time I found that massage and reflexology helped somewhat. Now I have found that the side effects have improved a lot. I swim a lot and do some cycling also. Walking is still difficult. This may have something to do with the weight gain, which does not seem to respond to the excercise and I still have a degree of stiffness in my joints. But overall the symptoms have definitely improved with time and my quality of life is very good. I wish you all very well and hope we all live long and happy lives. Be positive. | F | 50 | 2.5 years | 3/24/2009 | 2 | estrogen receptive breast cancer | after 16 months developed severe labia burning, like having severe heartburn in the entire outside of the vagina | Going to a PT to see if some exercises can help. If not, will seriously consider going off Arimidex. Had a bilateral Mastec. I believe the Armidex only increases my living odds by 2%; it isn't worth the quality of life. | F | 59 | 16 months | 3/22/2009 | 1 | small aggressive grade 3 cancer | feel like I am 100years old - very sore knees, ankles, wrists, fingers. Low and weepy - no libido- extreme dryness - getting to looke like a prune - no energy - from being very fit, happy and young in outlook I am now like a lump of sad nothingness. | I don't think I can do this and am going to phone oncologist and say can't do this any more - quality of life means more so am willing to take my chance but will see what he says - please email me any thoughts on my decision- please! | F | 60 | 4 days | 3/20/2009 | 3 | breast cancer | At first experienced the difficulty in concentrating, memory loss and headaches, but that went away pretty much. I already have joint pain, but it is a little worse. That might have happened anyway. Can't rate more than a 3, haven't taken it long enough... | I stopped taking hormone replacement just before my surgery, so the minor hot flashes I get now are probably normal. I have been having trouble sleeping (started a new business, so again, the anxiety is probably normal) but started taking the drug in the morning instead of at night. Will see how that goes. | F | 59 | 5 months | 3/18/2009 | 2 | Invasive ductal BC, Stage 3A | Weight gain, neuropathy worse than during chemo, depression, joint pain, decreased sex drive | All these symptoms could be part of menopause, which I was thrust into with chemo and now with Arimedex. Took Tamoxifen for 6 months, but after going 1 yr, w/o a period Doc switched me to Arimedex. I'm glad to find company for my misery -- I've been saying WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? Would love to hear if these symptoms go away when 5 years of taking A. are over. I am considering not going the whole 5 yrs. | F | 51 | 4 months | 3/13/2009 | 2 | breast ca stage IIa, grade 3, erp, | horrible joint pain, insomnia, hot flashes, anxiety, hair not growing, brain not working well | On for a year, dread the next 4 yrs. | F | 62 | 14 months | 3/9/2009 | 4 | stage 3 lobular breast cancer | I have joint pain and stiffness with accerated arthritis since my diagnosis in 2002 at age 46.( I have undergone 2 series of knee injections on right knee and 1 series on left knee) I have leg pain and leg and foot cramps. I have hand pain and stiffnes with collagen over growth. I also have wrist pain. | After mastectomy, chemo and radiation I took Tamoxifen for almost 3 years. I was then switched to aromatace inhibitors after I became postmeopausal. I fist tried Aromasin and then Femara but I could not tolerate the side effects. I then tried Arimidex. For me, these side effects are more tolerable. | F | 53 | 4 years | 3/1/2009 | 3 | Breast cancer, Stage 1b | Nov 2008 begin 1 mg and no side effects-I am optimistic. Three months later-not optimistic: bursitis/tendonitis left hip/leg and pain in shoulders. Depression but figure due to adapting to life changes: cancer, drop in hormones, death of parent, empty nest syndrome, bad economy... Fast aging signs in face most remarkable. Dryness everywhere. Vitamin E vaginal supp help with symptoms of urethritis. | Close management of thyroid gland performance and vitamin D blood levels. I am deficient in D and have not obtained optimum level for one with cancer risk. I believe cancer cells can take 5-10 years to be detectable with today's technology (not a pleasant thought). Need to increase exercise/eat less simple carbs to then have less fat cells that produce estrogen. Prior to Arimedex I had salivary hormone testing. After three months on Arimedex have had another evaluation for comparison. Don't know results yet. If same I can argue why take this drug with the potential for more negative side effects. | F | 57 | 3 months | 3/1/2009 | 2 | breast cancer, stage 2 | Severe joint pains that are still increasing. Extreme fatigue. Leg pain rendering me unable to get up or sit down without a cane. Heat intolerance. | I am a kindergarten teacher and I absolutely must remain mobile. I am seriously thinking about discontinuing Arimidex because of the side effects. I have a very high pain threshold, but this is over the top. Can't exercise any more, can't sleep, can't move. I need a cane to get up and sit down. I am so grateful that I found this website. I honestly thought that I must be losing my mind. I thought I was just being a wimp about the pain. | F | 65 | 18 months | 2/28/2009 | 3 | Stage 1 Left Breast Cancer | I was diagnosed in April, 2008 and had a complete left breast mastectomy May 28, 2008. I started Arimidex in July, 2008. Everything was going pretty good until lately. Now I have no appetite, I have to make myself eat and nothing even sounds good to want to eat. Also, during the past two weeks, I have started having depression and mood swings. I took Premarin for years and every time I would get off, I got these same feelings. I get very angry and I feel a rage in myself for no reason. I work full time and it is all I can do to keep from blowing everyone off. Help! | F | 69 | 6 months | 2/26/2009 | 4 | Breast Cancer Stage 2 w/ | I am 4 years on Arimidex. No major side effects. Just a few minor ones. All mammograms and labs are negative. I only have one more year. | Anxious to see what happens when I go off the Arimidex. How many of the side effect will go away, especially the weight gain. | F | 62 | 4 years | 2/25/2009 | 2 | breast cancer | I have had mostly every side effects mentioned since I started taking this drug 18 months ago.I am not able to take care of myself anymore, and have decided to quit the medication. | I have not met a Dr. or Oncologist who will admit that the side effects I experience are from arimidex.Its not the quantity of live its the quality.I will take my chances and quit, besides I have a better Dr.He is on high. | F | 62 | 18 months | 2/24/2009 | 4 | breast cancer - lobular | I have had aches and pains but this last year very bad leg pain - I was on tamoxifen for five years and then arimidex it would be five years in May - decided to go off with the doctors okay. I had breast cancer in 1999 and then chemo - I'm happy I was able to take this medication and hopefully all will be well. I am looking forward for my aches and pains to subside. | F | 58 | 5 years | 2/23/2009 | 3 | Breast Cancer | Diagnosed at 53, had a bi-lateral mastectomy & chemo. On Arimidex for 15 months. Have had a series of joint aches, carpal tunnel, frozen shoulder, and other symptoms that could be attributed to Arimidex but may just have to do with being 55. But the most frustrating side effect has been the effect on my weight - and I KNOW that's the Arimidex. Two years before I was diagnosed, I lost 55 pounds through diet and exercise. I know that the level of fitness I had reached helped me bounce back from surgery and through chemo. Now, on Arimidex, my body seems primed to gain. I can lose if I drastically reduce calories and up the exercise, but as soon as anything interrupts that regimen, I start gaining again. There is no stasis - I'm either dieting frantically or gaining. | Does anyone else see the irony in a breast cancer treatment that increases weight, but increased weight is a risk factor for re-occurence? Despite the side effects, I will continue on the drug as my mother died of breast cancer and I have treated mine as agressively as possible. | F | 55 | 15 months | 2/23/2009 | 1 | Invasive ductal carcinoma | Pain jumping around in different parts of body advanced aging -- loss of collagen and wrinkles appearing faster, droopy skin on face. Angry company doesn't mention side effect of losing estrogen on skin. Guess they know people wouldn't want to take it. Plan on stopping it. | Don't know if it helps for too long a time. Have been taking about 13 months and more symptoms appear as time goes on. | F | 65 | 13 months | 2/22/2009 | 1 | breast cancer | I had no side effects for the first twelve months. Now, in my fourteenth month, I am experiencing constant pain in my joints and muscles. It moves around. Some days it is my hips and/or my knees. Today, my calves are sore. | I have decided to go off of this drug. This is my only life and I do not want to live whatever I have left of it in pain. It is a difficult decision and not one I take lightly. | F | 68 | 14 months | 2/19/2009 | 4 | Infiltrating Ductile Carcinoma | Night sweats(bed may dry out one day),lite arthritis in hands & feet exploded, bone aches, knees have quit, mind is not as sharp. | Perhaps this is not good, but from your comments, I need to improve my diet & up the exercise. Also I am watching a friend in her fourth & final round w/cancer. She was not a candidate for Arimidex and I can say my ills do not come close to hers. | F | 66 | 2 years | 2/18/2009 | 3 | Breast cancer | Joint pain, especially my hands, hips, and knees. Mouth is sore and have increased sensitivity to certain foods. Have to follow a bland diet. Headaches. Very very tired. | The reason I keep taking it is because I am afraid not to. What else can I do? | F | 55 | 2 years | 2/18/2009 |