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 |
| 2 | Stage 2 Invasive Duct Breast Cancer | Joint pain, hot sweats/flashes, no libido, atrophied vagina, excema, tirednes, severe depression, | I originally started taking Aromisen afer having lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. That is another drug similiar to Arimidex. However, I developed such severe wrist pain that I consulted a Rheumatologist and was diagnosed with D'Quervin's Tendenitis - a direct side effect of the Aromisin. Had cortison shots in both wrists which helped tremendously. After 9 months, switched to Tamoxifin. Aches and pains disappeared although menopausal symptoms persisted. When new test for Tamoxifin absorption came out, was tested and my absorption was only intermediate. Then was put on Arimidex. Menopausal symptions very severe, joint pain continues to grow worse, although Yoga has helpted, now have to take medication to sleep, efexor for depression. At next dr. visit will stop taking. Switch back to tamoxifin. The quality of life on Arimidex is just not worth it. I know I will never have my old life (precancer) back again but I do want some quality in my life again. May we all find our pat | F | 59 | 2 days | 9/15/2007 | 2 | Breast Cancer | After 18 months of taking Arimidex I am now experiencing joint pain, stifness and weakness in my fingers, knees and ankles and can hardly move on getting up on a morning for about 10 minutes.Poor sleep, hot sweats ( which I got with Tamoxifen for 5 years previously). It was not till I stopped taking it 2 weeks ago that I realise how unwell I felt on it! Luckily I only had 6 months left to take it - but I am stopping now! | F | 48 | 18 months | 9/12/2007 | 2 | Breast cancer, stage 1, chemo, radi | My oncologist did not believe my complaints of joint pain, fatigue, increased cholesterol, osteoporosis, etc. He said I was "depressed". OK, so add depression as another complaint. He agreed to let me stop for a month which I did and within 2 weeks was feeling 95% better already. I spoke with my breast surgeon and she felt the diagnosis of "depression" was just wrong. I have decided to stop the arimidex altogether after being on it for 3 years with increasing side effects. | Since I have been off the arimidex my joints do not hurt, I can actually go up & down stairs without holding on, my energy has increased and I feel just generally better. Now I hope I haven't done too much damage since my cholesterold skyrocketed and I developed osteoporosis. I am determined to right the wrongs I have done to my heart & bones. Doctors - listen to your patients! | F | 54 | 3 years | 9/12/2007 | 1 | early breast cancer | Sore back, sore midriff, headaches, dizziness, increased cholestrol, pinching/tingling feeling in midriff, sore bones from elbow to wrist, fatigue, weakness, sore shoulders - unbelievable. Always been an energetic, healthy person. Can't believe how I feel. | I see my oncologist tomorrow - her suggestion a few weeks ago was to start taking it at night - no difference. I will definitely be off it tomorrow - am willing to try something else - but can't tolerate this medication. | F | 55 | 5 months | 9/11/2007 | 3 | BC | Severe joint pain and deterioration - have had one hip replacement and another scheduled 2008. Also severe pain in knees, ankles and fingers. Finger joints lock frequently. I have a terrible time getting up after sitting for any length of time and then I can hardly walk. Absolutely zero sex drive. Very thin hair except on chin where it thrives. | I wish I had found this website 4 1/2 years ago. I started having severe joint pain about 6-8 months after starting Arimidex and was complaining to oncologist who said it had nothing to do with the drug. I believed him. He said I had arthritis and when it got a lot worse I went to arthritis specialist who confirmed it. I have been on for 5 years and doctor said OK to quit taking it after next month but after reading this today I am quitting right now and praying my body will recover from these side effects. I searched the internet today to see if current opinion was to quit Arimidex after 5 years or if there was any benefit from additional years on the drug when I found this website. You all are saying the same things I have been saying for 4 1/2 years but I thought it was just me. | F | 52 | 5 years | 9/10/2007 | 2 | Breast cancer | Severe bone/joint pain, diarrhoea, weight gain and broken sleep. | Have only discovered this site tonight and have decided to stop taking Arimidex. Unable to cope with the constant pain any more. Feel like an old woman. Sometime feel like my bones might snap. No sex drive at all. Either sleepless nights or interuped sleep. Would rate quality of life as very poor. | F | 52 | 2 days | 9/9/2007 | 2 | Stage 1-lumpectomy no nodes | Tremors in my body. I don't shake but inside I feel like I am having tremors. I have no fatique, aches or weight gain. In fact, I've lost three pounds in the last month. I am seeing an alternative mendicine doc and he has me on loads of vitamins. Right after my radiation, I had large bruises. Since I started taking vitamins they have disappeared. I also feel my energy has soared. I am also on a special diet with the alt medince doc. He tested me for delayed allergies to foods. (blood tests not skin tests) I was allergic to 25 foods and I won't eat themm for 90 days. Then I reintroduce the foods one at a time every four days. I have a rating schedule to determine if the foods still bother me. I've been on the diet for three weeks and I feel great. I play tennis three times a week. My memory and energy has increased a lot. Right after my radiation I was going to bed at nine pm and now I can stay up until 11:00 or later. I highly recommend alternative medicine. I am ser | F | 58 | 90 days | 9/8/2007 | 4 | Breast Cancer / Stage 1 | Hot flashes, Knee & hand pain, shoulder and back pain, filling tired all the time, can't sleep [insomia], sometimes poor concentration. | Recent labs: fatty liver, high alkaline phosphatase and other aminos, high blood sugar, high bun/creatinine, cholesterol values [HDL,LDL]that have me like crazy. About high blood sugar don't know if it is due to the drugs that I am taking. Arimidex, Effexor [mainly for the hot flashes], and Wellbutrin, both antidepressants. Soon adding: Amaryl for the diabetes??. and have to repeat the labs. Can someone tell me if have had these results? Do someone have literature with information related to these symptoms? Please email me. | F | 53 | 1 years | 9/6/2007 | 2 | breast cancer stage 2 | Terrible joint pain, especially in hips, knees, bones of upper thigh and ankles.....I also have had dry/painful intercourse...which no amount of lubrication helps. Switching back to tamoxifen or another newer drug to prevent bc returning. | F | 55 | 5 days | 8/30/2007 | 5 | Breast Cancer, Stage 2B, Mastectomy | I believe I have slight to moderate memory loss...seems to be short term only. Ankles and feet sometimes stiff in the mornings. Hot hot flashes. | I look at Arminidex as my ticket to keeping the cancer away. I was diagnosed Her2+. I have since had a bout with lung cancer and they removed 1/3 of my lung. I understand that everyones system reacts differently to every drug. I did pretty well with Chemo while others have been unable to take the treatment prodical. I feel that the Arimidex will prolong my life, and for that I would do just about anything. I look forward to posting on this site for many years to come and hope to provide encouragement for all of us to hang in there. New vaccines are coming out with new treatment prodicals. Thank goodness we are facing this in this century and not the last. | F | 56 | 2 years | 8/27/2007 | 2 | Breast Cancer Stage 3, 6 nodes | Stiffness and joint pain, insomnia, hot flushes, hair loss, weight gain and no libido | I hate this drug and, although I know it keeps me alive, I do not believe that Medical Professionals are hearing what their patients say about the side effects. After the research into low fat diets and Breast Cancer came out in 2005 I was put on a low fat diet. The weight fell off me - and prior to that I had dieted and exercised and just put on more weight every week. I still have to work at it but have kept the weight off for 2 years now. | F | 53 | 4 years | 8/27/2007 | 1 | Breast Cancer - early. | constant hot flushes, night sweats, lack of sleep.stiff hands, legs. sudden bouts of crying and feeling 'blue', mood swings. vaginal dryness, return of facial acne. low libido. | After reading all the comments on this site, I am going to stop this drug and return to my normal feeling happy self and take my chances with the cancer reoccurring. | F | 62 | 4 months | 8/27/2007 | 5 | Stage one B.C. No chemo or Radium. | Joint pain, weight gain, problems sleeping, foot problems.Tiredness was terrible, some days I wanted to just lay down where I was, and sleep | At first I didn't think I could keep taking this drug, but as I have her2, it seemed I had no option. After 18 months everything has settled down, and I have almost forgotten I take it. I walk a lot, and think that has helped me. I refuse to let cancer rule my life, I am the boss | F | 63 | 18 months | 8/25/2007 | 5 | Breast Cancer | Joint pain, weight gain, memory loss, hot flashes, no sex drive and not sleeping well. Within the last year my blood pressure has gone up. My cholestrole is up to 200. I believe that it has helped me stay cancer free but the side effects are draining. | I have 10 months to go and when I'm through in June I am hopeing that the effects will go away. | F | 59 | 4 days | 8/25/2007 | 5 | 2.5 cm BC R/S Bilateral Mast-Chemo | I have mild joint pain and stiffness in my feet and ankles when getting out of bed. I am stiff after sitting but loosen up after moving around a bit. Have Hot Flashes and vaginal dryness. | I feel lucky to be one of the few who have mild symptoms. Nothing bothers me to the point that I no longer enjoy life. I am thankful that I have a life to enjoy. By the time I get down the stairs in the morning my feet are working again. The stiffness in my joints subsides as I move around. The hot flashes I deal with (I hate them but deal with them). KY seems to help with the vaginal dryness during sex and Dove soap doesn't sting when I shower. I am scheduled to take Arimidex for 5 years but will take it forever if it keeps the cancer away. | F | 48 | 8 months | 8/24/2007 | 2 | Breast Ca-lobular-Lt/had bilat mast | Severe carpal tunnel syndrome in Rt hand with severe pain and was diaganosed by a Neurologist who was in agreement that felt symtoms were from Arimidex. Went off the Arimidex and pain better but still have numbness and tingling in hand.Talked with John Hopkins and they are doing a case study of patients with bilateral mastectomies who have been on Arimidex and they are seeing an increase in the amount of patients having carpal tunnel surgery who have been on Arimidex. My onclogist's nurse had never heard of this type of reaction and is waiting to talk with their drug representative and would not consider talking to John Hopkins when I gave her the number. | In reading other patients comments about this drug the majority sound like they experience alot of joint pain, hand and leg pain. I was warned of this possible side effect but not the carpal tunnel syndrome. | F | 51 | 60 days | 8/24/2007 | 4 | Stg 2 breast cancer, no lymph nodes | I am experiencing joint and muscle pain and thinning hair. But I have discovered that joining a gym and working with a trainer on weights and cardio 3 - 5 times a week has really helped my pain. After the initial pain from working out subsided (as I got used to things) I feel much better and have more energy. Now if I could do something about the thinning hair. Anyone have any suggestions? | I will put up with whatever I have to and do whatever I have to in order to survive. I was initially on Aromasin but my liver numbers jumped very high. My doctor took me off and as the numbers went down, started me on Arimidex. My numbers have remained normal so far. | F | 54 | 2 years | 8/23/2007 | 3 | Breast cancer, chemo, radiation | Joint aches, anxiety, depression, fatigue, chest pains, developed osteoporosis, memory loss. | I have been on this drug for 3 years and for the last 6 months I have noticed an increase in aches, fatigue, anxiety & depression. Does this drug have a cumulative effect? Am seeing my oncologist in 2 days - I have a lot of questions for him. | F | 54 | | 8/22/2007 | 5 | Breast Cancer Stg 3, 1 lymph node | Joint pain, hurt all over, hard to move, hand/finger problems - trigger fingers, hands were in sharp pain all the time | I finally quit taking the Arimidex. My doctor had wanted me to stay on it for two more years. No return in the cancer but I lost all use of both hands and both in a great deal of pain. I couldn't work. Now, two months later, hands are back to normal! Joint pain is mostly gone and I feel great. | F | 49 | 4.5 years | 8/21/2007 | 1 | breast cancer, mastectomy | debilitating pain in bones and joints, onset of permanent arthritis. | Given the choice again I would not take this dreadful drug. Tamoxifen would have been a safer bet. I was happy and active after chemo, now I can`t stand, sit for any length of time, can`t walk without sticks, have a stairlift and countless other mobility aids.Completely reliant on partner for everything from housework to personal hygiene. | F | 49 | 2.5 years | 8/17/2007 |