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 |
| 4 | metatastic breast cancer | lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, tremors, exhaustion, depression. | after taking arimidex about 3 1/2 months, side effects lessened quite a bit. I was asked by someone "how do you know drug is working?" In my case, my inoperable tumer shrunk to half it's size and my blood work is now in the "normal" range. There is also no new bone cancer. I will include my e mail address and will be happy to discuss this further via e mail rather than in an anonymous form. | F | 64 | 5 days | 3/7/2007 | 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 | 3 | double mastectomy; CA one side only | i knew i was aging before my surgery. a year later i felt 5 yrs older. mostly insomnia, constipation (getting better), general aches & pains. arthritis more an issue but may not be due to arimidex | after reading other comments, i now know why i feel so old. however, don't have specific joint pain, just generalized aches; no emotional problems; hair thinner. if i could just get consistent, adequate sleep but my dr & i are working on that. but the side effects are enough that i really hope i feel significantly more energetic, etc when I come off it. | F | 62 | 2 days | 3/6/2007 | 1 | breast cancer lumpectomy | I feel like I'm ninety years old. Bad depression and mood swings. Severe fatigue/lethargy, because I can't sleep. I have over-whelmingly felt the need to close my eyes during the day, which in my opinion means I must be unsafe to drive. I have joint pain in my hips and pelvis, which is much worse in the morning, and makes it difficult to get out of bed. I have gained weight. I feel like my brain is deserting me, and that I currently wouldn't be able to hold down a job. I have had night sweats and hot flushes. | I do not want to take this drug any more, I want quality not quantity. My oncologist told me that I have an eighty-five percent chance of being alive at the end of ten years. If I take the Arimidex that increases to a ninety percent chance. If I switch to Tamoxifen it is an eighty-nine percent chance. We have agreed that while I am having my radiotherapy I will not take Arimidex. At the end of the eighteen (week)days, we will discuss again what medication, if any, I should take in the future. | F | 58 | 28 days | 3/5/2007 | 3 | Stage 2A IDC, node neg, hormone po | Hair thinning initially, occasional headaches, joint pain in shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, ankles and back. Hot flashes, night sweats, low mood (my husband might have a different description of that), terrible vaginal dryness, fatigue, loss of enthusiam for most things that I love to do. I feel worse now on this med than I did having chemo and radiation. | Premenopausal Br Ca, chemo put me into menopause. Lumpectomey, Chemo, Radiation, Tamoxifen for 4+ years, which I had a terrible time on. Pretty much begged to go on Arimidex, after researching it (that before discovering this web site). Been thru 4 oncologists.......they keep leaving our area. Last oncologist not happy I went on Arimidex but said I had to stay on it 2 yrs. She wants to switch me to Femara this Spring. From what I've read in this web site.........sounds like Femara is worse than Arimidex. I'm really active........competition equestrian, golfer, exercise, etc. etc. I feel like I'm 90 yrs. old. Would love to know if docs read this web site.........so many of us have these side effects...........they are not good! Is it worth it! I would consider going off this med.........but that scares me. Is it just a crutch? | F | 55 | 22 months | 3/1/2007 | 5 | Early IDCC/node negative/estrogen + | First year hot flashes, bone pain..diminished 2nd year. Vaginal dryness was terrible & sex drive severely diminished until my husband helped me relax and enjoy again. After 4 yrs on drug and 3 nuc. bone scans am showing more osteo in hands, wrists, ankles and knees. Take NSAID daily and helps quite a bit...just very stiff in the AM. Also lipids rising, have gained 10 lbs in 4 yrs and now have pre-hypertension. | Every time I see my onco. he says Arimidex "cured" my CA and that the chances of it coming back are next to none. I am also wondering what will happen after the 5 yr mark..can I continue on it longer? Alot of the side effects with this drug are the same as menopause because of the lack of estrogen...but I'm not complaining...I'm a survivor! | F | 55 | 4 years | 2/28/2007 | 5 | Early IDCC/node negative/estrogen + | First year hot flashes, bone pain..diminished 2nd year. Vaginal dryness was terrible & sex drive severely diminished until my husband helped me relax and enjoy again. After 4 yrs on drug and 3 nuc. bone scans am showing more osteo in hands, wrists, ankles and knees. Take NSAID daily and helps quite a bit...just very stiff in the AM. Also lipids rising, have gained 10 lbs in 4 yrs and now have pre-hypertension. And yes, I have blond peach fuzz starting on my face! | Every time I see my onco. he says Arimidex "cured" my CA and that the chances of it coming back are next to none. I am also wondering what will happen after the 5 yr mark..can I continue on it longer? Alot of the side effects with this drug are the same as menopause because of the lack of estrogen...but I'm not complaining...I'm a survivor! | F | 55 | 4 years | 2/28/2007 | 4 | Breast Cancer grade I + 1 lymph | Experiencing stiff hands and feet, now think I have trigger thumb which is extremely painful. Will persevere as I am due to come off Arimidex at end of year. | After taking Tamoxifen for 3 years and experiencing depression, hot flushes and generally feeling useless. Oncologist put me on Arimidex which did make me feel more human, but now experiencing aches and pains. Hope these disappear at end of year. | F | 60 | 15 days | 2/26/2007 | 4 | Breast Cancer grade I + 1 lymph | Experiencing stiff hands and feet, now think I have trigger thumb which is extremely painful. Will persevere as I am due to come off Arimidex at end of year. | After taking Tamoxifen for 3 years and experiencing depression, hot flushes and generally feeling useless. Oncologist put me on Arimidex which did make me feel more human, but now experiencing aches and pains. Hope these disappear at end of year. | F | 60 | 15 months | 2/26/2007 | 3 | BC stage 1 | I have only been taking for 3 weeks...I have felt some joint discomfort, and experienced some hot flashes. No fatigue. Cannot tell about hair thinning, as it is just growing back now. | I am 49. I am very active to begin with; I walk about 3 miles a day, and also run on my treadmill for a 1/2 hr. I also do 15 minutes of weights and 15 minutes of stretching exercises. I am sure that being so active has got to help. Chemo was not too difficult for me...not something I want to go thru again...:) I am worried that being on anything for 5 years will not be good...but, I have come to terms, that if it keeps cancer at bay, I will continue to take this stuff. I'm not happy about it and I just hope I will be able to continue my exercise regimen. I WILL CONTINUE MY REGIMEN NO MATTER WHAT! | F | 49 | 21 days | 2/26/2007 | 4 | Breast cancer stageII 2+lymph | Have been on Arimidex for 5 months and what was nueropathy following chemo, has now progressed to hand pain (much worse in the AM).At this time, I would rate pain in other joints as minor. | This morning decided to see what I could find on internet re: hand pain while on Arimidex and found this site. I could probably live with this for next 4 /12 years if I thought it wouldn't get any worse. I do worry about long term effect of the drug, but, it seems to be the best thing out there at this time. So far I have not experienced weight gain, memory loss, or hot flashes any worse than I had in the past. | F | 67 | 5 months | 2/24/2007 | 2 | To prevent reccurance--stage 2 B | Tired, joint pain hand pain/numbness, hip and lower back pain some nausea , cough and sore throat. Giving it two more weeks before calling the oncolgist. | F | 45 | 3 weeks | 2/18/2007 | 4 | Breast Cancer | Joint and muscle pain; thinning hair; dry skin and nails; bone mass loss; frequent urination ---- the gamut of side effects described by everyone | After reading everyone's comments and doing much research on the side effects/contraindications of Armidex, I spoke with my oncologist about the possibility of going off this drug earlier than five years. He explained that the side effects of Arimidex are the same as what happens when you go through menopause. During the big M, your estrogen is depleted. The same thing occurs with Arimidex; it supresses your estrogen to inhibit cancer growth. As a result, you get these effects. Needless to say, I will remain on Arimidex for the full five years. Some of the side effects have abated somewhat, but this is because I am taking water aerobics 2X a week. (I highly recommend this form of exercise -- less stress on muscles and weight bearing for bones.)In warmer weather, I walk outdoors. It helps. I get depressed at times, but realize I am relatively healthy compared to others and I AM ALIVE and CANCER FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | F | 61 | 41 months | 2/17/2007 | 2 | breast cancer | fatigue, hair loss, memory loss, weight gain,cough, lower back pain | I'm so glad I found this site. I thought that some of my symptoms were do to my age. After learning that others have experienced these symptoms, Im seriously thinking of stopping the Arimidex. I had always been an energetic and take charge person, now I even find it difficult to exercise. | F | 72 | 3 years | 2/16/2007 | 1 | Breast Cancer | Pain, stiffness, unable to move or walk properly. Cannot get up in morning. Once standing, unable to move if I want to turn. Sleeping problems, headaches, breathing trouble/breathlessness. Weight gain. Didn't have depression or drying up of fluids that others have experienced. Very tired. Fatigue and pain were awful. Hair loss. Pain in hips, shoulders, knees. Have come off drug now, but still have many side effects. | I have read with interest the comments of everyone who has taken the time to post on this board. Subsequent to my symptoms I have been to my GP and am being treated for Polymyalgea Rheumatica which can be picked up with a simple blood test. I would be interested to hear if any other sufferers have received the same diagnosis. | F | 70 | 9 months | 2/16/2007 | 4 | stage IV bc w/bone metastisis | I started Arimidex end of Sept. '06 and in the beginning the side effects were terrible. Very lightheaded, some dizzy spells, nausea, tremors, mood swings, hot flashes and exhaustion. Most of the side effects have gone or greatly decreased but having some new bone pain. It is all tolerable. The good news is my tumer has shrunk to half it's size, my bone scan is stable and my blood work is good. This cancer is a recurrance from 1992. | From everything I've read Arimidex is the best way to treat estrogen positive receptor cancers; so I plan to stay on it as long as it's working. | F | 64 | 5 months | 2/15/2007 | 4 | Stage One BC | Pain has intensified and now affects shoulders, arms, knees, legs and burning in bottom of feet. Pain wakens me at night but I go back to sleep. At times I just do not want to move due to the pain but if I do not remain active, I will be worse off. I work with oncology patients so I know the alternative and that is not fun. I take the Arimidex and give thanks and groan! Do side effects lessen after a full course of treatment? | F | 74 | 4.5 years | 2/14/2007 | 2 | Breast Cancer Stage II (HER2+) | Weight gain, hip and back pain, hot flushes, sleeplessness, no sex drive,facial hair, Blood pressure went up as high as 114/170 | I started 3 months on Tamoxifen and went crazy. Not realizing I was in menopause. After 1 year on Arimidex I just have to go off of it as the pain in my back makes my work collegues wonder if I can even work. I went from a size 10-12 to a 18-20 in the past 1 1/2yrs so surely the extra weight is a health risk. I have to take other drugs for the side effects, surely that is not good. I had a bilateral masectomy, nothing in the lymph nodes. I had chemo and Herceptin for 1 yr (thats all medical aid will pay for in South Africa where I am living). They wanted to take my ovaries to but put an implant in every 3 months to stop them from working. I want off and out of this continued mess. | F | 45 | 1 years | 2/14/2007 | 1 | Stage I Breast Cancer, Invasive Duc | Vertigo, flu-like symptoms, dizziness, heart palpitations, chest pain, shoulder and arm pain. Was taking this pill with Fosamax and just found out in the patient ratings that the side effects of these two drugs are very similar in some women. I had tinnitus and sudden loss of hearing after taking these two drugs. Additive effects maybe? | I really wanted to stay on Arimidex because supposedly there's a lower chance of bc recurrence but I had to switch back to Tamoxifen after 1 year in Arimidex and now I'm deaf and suffering from tinnitus. | F | 67 | 1 days | 2/13/2007 | 4 | Breast Cancer st 2 | excessive joint pain, especially in wrists, fingers, and ankles. Hot flashes and fuzzy memory are frustrating. After my oncologist prescibed Effexor the hot flashes have gotten under control. I also have gained weight. I weigh more now than when pregnant with either child of mine - but haven't gain the strength to exercise like I know I should. | I am so thankful for the drug. With 2 children to raise I'll suffer through all the side effects happily. | F | 37 | 1.5 years | 2/8/2007 |