ARIMIDEX Reviews (ANASTROZOLE)

Average Rating: 2.5 (1431 Ratings)

Filter Results

Compare ARIMIDEX with similar:
 ANTINEOPLASTICS AROMATASE INHIBITORS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

ARIMIDEX  (ANASTROZOLE):  Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer in women after menopause. Some breast cancers are made to grow faster by a natural hormone called estrogen. Anastrozole decreases the amount of estrogen the body makes and helps to slow or reverse the growth of these breast cancers.   FDA Approval Date: 1995-12-27 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

Results are sorted by Date added.

Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR ARIMIDEXCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 2  30 modes effected lobular bc I have severe morning stiffness. Hands hurt all the time. Joint pain moves around. Never know where it will occur. Stiffness after sitting or riding. I assume the drug is preventing further breast cancer. The side effects are upsetting. I have been to a rheumatologist and take celebrex. I can't tell that it helps. My oncologist says I need arimidex because of lymph nodes involved. Other drugs in the same catagory would have the same side effects. May 2005 F 64 5 months
5/28/2006
Email
 4  Stage IIb BC + Lymphnode Involvemen I felt fabulous once chemo & radiation were finished. When I began taking Arimidex, the stiffness and deep aching are almost unbearable. I have also been having memory loss, fatigue, slight weight gain and no interest in sex. I sometimes wonder if this will end. I feel so much older now. F 43 1 months
5/24/2006
 3  Breast Cancer Stage 2 joint pain (especially knees), back pain, memory loss, bone density loss, fatigue, incontinence, weight gain For four years I have attributed these physical problems to age and psoriatic arthritis. After reading others' comments, I realize I did not have these symptoms five years ago: my arthritis was under control, my memory was reasonably dependable, my bladder control was fine. Like others, I am wondering if these disabilities will diminish when I am off arimidex. The rating system should include "Don't know." I rated the drug 3 because I have no idea if the medicine cured me or helped me. F 67 4 years
5/21/2006
 4  Early Stage Breast Cancer Some aches and pains in joints. Hot flashes, and urinary tract infections I am saying I am satisfied with Arimidex but I am only taking the drug 3 months. I have had 3 UTI and spoke with my gyno who told me to make sure that I used a lubricant when having sex so that there was no friction which could get bacteria into the uretha. Since using the lubricant religiously I have been free of infection. F 56 5 days
5/20/2006
 4  Early Stage Breast Cancer Some aches and pains in joints. Hot flashes, and urinary tract infections I am saying I am satisfied with Arimidex but I am only taking the drug 3 months. I have had 3 UTI and spoke with my gyno who told me to make sure that I used a lubricant when having sex so that there was no friction which could get bacteria into the uretha. Since using the lubricant religiously I have been free of infection. F 56 5 months
5/20/2006
 3  Stage II breast cancer joint pain, cough F 63 1 years
5/15/2006
Email
 4  Breast Cancer Stage II, HER2 + Vaginal dryness, hot flashes, joint and bone pain Vaginal dryness and hot flashes are tolerable. No joint or bone pain for first 3 years. Now considerable swelling and pain in feet/legs and hands/arms. Overall, side effects were tolerable until just last 2 weeks. I can barely walk now after a full day and I have exercised regularly my whole life. F 42 3 years
5/11/2006
 4  Breast Cancer Stage II, HER2 + Vaginal dryness, hot flashes, joint and bone pain Vaginal dryness and hot flashes are tolerable. No joint or bone pain for first 3 years. Now considerable swelling and pain in feet/legs and hands/arms. Overall, side effects were tolerable until just last 2 weeks. I can barely walk now after a full day and I have exercised regularly my whole life. F 42 3 years
5/11/2006
 3  BC, stage II, lumpectomey My whole body aches. From the bottom of my feet to the top of my head. My hands, knees, ankles swell so in the morning, I can't make a fist. Much fluid retention. There are times I come home from work that I cry. I'm taking two yoga classes and a Pilates class each week in addition to working full time. When I started taking Arimidex my weight dropped, then it started to pile on. Also makes be fluctuate between constipation and diarhea. I hope this is worth it. I was so close to being "done" with Tamoxifen. I don't know how to rate the drug; I'll be very satisfied if it does what it is supposed to do, and I'll be very disatisifed if it doesn't. F 51 11 months
5/1/2006
 4  lumpectomy After about 8 months I developed terrible joint stiffness in hips, knees, and neck area. I am also beginning to experience this in fingers and elbows and wrists. I have periodic hot flashes and sweats and periodic bouts of constipation. I don't know how to rate this medicine except to report the side effects listed above and to say that my last checkup was cancer free so I guess it's working. Exercise does help the stiffness. F 68 10 days
4/27/2006
 5  breast cancer leading to mastectomy When on Tamoxifen, I gradually developed all the side effects over two years. I was then switched to Arimidex. My 'blue' days disappeared completely, as did the hot flushes and the 'teenage' acne. I feel ancient in the mornings as hands and knees extremely stiff and unreliable until gentle stretch exercises get me going. I gained 3stone on Tamoxifen and hoped it would shift with the new drug - no signs yet after 2 years. F 60 29 months
4/22/2006
 3  EARLY BC, LUMPECTOMY AND RADIATION Hot flashes at first which are some better, but in the last 3 months am having moderate to severe foot and leg pain, pain in upper arms, extreme fatigue during last two weeks, swelling in feet, cannot walk even short distances, considering getting handicap permit, will see Onc in two weeks to talk this over, I also felt better after radiation than I do now..also last mammo showed new calcification, will have re-check in 3 mos. Never told about these side effects, only the hot flashes...found this web site on my own, some consolation to know I am not alone with these problems I also find that riding a stationary bike helps pain some, walking very difficult and becoming more daily, bone density last year was good, will have another in a few months, will see if any changes. Father, Paternal Grandmother and Maternal Grandmother all died with some type of cancer...feel like I got to keep going with this, but sure does hurt, cannot enjoy the grans...life is pretty much work and home, don't feel like anything else... F 55 1 years
4/21/2006
Email
 2  Breast cancer-recurring I had 31 days of radiation after my surgery. In January, my oncologist put me on Armidex. I bagan going to the gym in March of this year. I noticed inceased pain through out my entire body. I assumed it was the exercise since I had never attend a gym. I began to have my doubts and quit exercising/weight lifting program the last week in March. My pain is worse than ever. Especially in my shoulders, wrist and legs. My memory is declining. I feel a little frightened at the stupid things I have been doing lately. Looking for my favorite coffe cup in the morning, when it is on the table full of fresh coffee!! I don't know what to do this is my second bout with breast cancer and I have had ovarian cancer also. I am very tired all the time. F 50 90 days
4/21/2006
 3  breast cancer stage 1 I was taking aromasin first and was practically crippled and could hardly stand up. The arimidex is better but I still have a lot of joint pain and muscle ache. I also am having trouble sleeping. I wonder if this joint pain goes away when one is finished with the arimidex. It would be nice to look forward to that. F 60 1 years
4/19/2006
Email
 2  ductal carcinoma lymph involvement terrible joint pain, severe mood swings and rage, sleeplessness,exhaustion, memory loss, puffy weight gain, sore eyes, increased allergies, yeast infections and other skin problems, instant aging, disorientation, dizziness and nausea Went on arimidex after dealing with increased radiation pneumonitis with tamoxiphen. Worse decision ever.Agony and horrible bleakness. Back on tamoxiphen after 2 month break.lots of soft tissue pain and new cataracts.Chemical fog and almost suicidal.Transformed to a whiny, agorophobic baby.Have lost lots of my support system as a result. F 53 8 months
4/19/2006
Email
 4  breast cancer, 3 lymph nodes, Have been on Arimidex 2 yrs. Advised to take significant calcium supplements from day 1. Minimal hot flashes. Some stiffness -- do feel like I aged some, but very tolerable. But might have felt "aging" anyway. I'm 59. Arthritis & deformity developed in both index fingers -- onco. said not likely from drug. I thought it might be. No quite as sure-footed as I was before. Tripped and broke my wrist -- but no sign of osteoporosis -- healed up in 4 wks. Otherwise, feel good, work, play, stay busy. Have fuzzy short term memory, but had it long before cancer and was taking Zoloft before as well. Continue now. Very "up" in attitude makes a difference. Positive outlook is invaluable. In no way is this drug worse for me than chemo or can even be compared to how I felt during chemo. I'm thankful it's helping. Any minimal side effects are just not worth worrying about. F 59 2 years
4/18/2006
 1  Stage III Breast Cancer Joint Pain, Fatigue, Stiffness, Thinning Hair, Weight Gain, Vaginal Dryness. Just feel like a 90 year old woman. Good lord! If this is my option, I certainly don't like it. I am having to quit my job because I can't use my computer anymore. I have had one surgery on my right hand "trigger finger, thumb; numerous cortisone shots in my hands. I am in constant pain, can hardly get down my stairs in the morning. Come home from work and just want to sit in a chair because I'm so tired - can hardly lift my grandchild. No more cute shoes! Feet hurt too much. Should buy stock in Tynedol because I'm taking them all day - 3 at a time. Have gained 25 pounds and that is putting even more strain on my joints. Take Ambien to sleep because pain is severe at night. I'm thinking about getting off Arimidex and taking my chances. Chemo and radiation were easier. I was also told that this drug compromises the immune system so I have started drinking DanActive in addition to taking several herbs for my joints. I truly hate this drug! F 59 20 months
4/12/2006
 2  early breast cancer HER 2+ Severe debilitating joint stiffness/pain especially in morning, (despite regular yoga, tai chi, pilates, walking etc), vaginal dryness, lack of sexual drive, hot flushes, dizzyness, serious memory blanks/gaps, have developed osteoporosis and now need to start medication for that (feel like I'm on a slippery slope). Can't remember life without pain. The chemo has pushed me through a medical menopause so not sure how much these symptoms are due to this or the arimidex. My oncologist has asked that I give it a year as he says often the joint pain will settle down after this time - I'd be interested to know if anyone has experienced this. Have experienced considerable loss of quality of life on many levels and seriously considering risking the cancer reccurance in preference (if indeed it is the arimidex causing these symptoms?). Have asked oncologist to review this drug in light of my bone loss. F 47 6 months
4/10/2006
 5  Stage 1 Breast Cancer (lumpectormy) Knees and ankles a bit stiff or "loose" feeling; increased facial hair Joint issues have quite markedly improved in the last 5 months; when I wrote after only taking Arimidex for 4 weeks and being still pretty sedentary after the lumpectomy, I was very concerned about my knees and ankles. They didn't hurt, but they felt stiff and tentative, kind of weak and "loose" instead of strong. I found that the more vigorous the excercise in which I engage (including running, weight lifting, aerobics, kick-boxing, swimming) the more normal those joints feel. I think it's important for anyone on this medicine to avoid weight gain, but with exercise and sensible diet it's not that hard. I am very happy and relieved that, except for a slight increase in facial hair (which I go to a salon to have waxed off every two months or so, and am not above shaving with a razor as needed), I seem to have no negative symptoms from this medicine. My upcoming physical will reveal whether cholesterol is up or whether I have other issues not apparent, but 6 months on I jus F 57 6 months
4/7/2006
Email
 3  Breast Cancer Stage 1 - Lumpectomy Fatigue, memory loss, inability to concentrate, moodiness, depression, minor joint stiffness, occasional swelling, aching feet and legs at night. Hot flashes first 6 weeks on medication. Tamoxifen was not an option for me as I had history with blood clot. I was somewhat relieved to read about memory issues with others. I have been in my manager position for 11 years and recently have felt unable to juggle the many tasks I normally handle with ease. The hair loss, aging dry skin, other aspects I find easier to live with but I really love my work and this inability to function at my normal level is seriously depressing me. I had my yearly follow-up mammogram and all is clear but if moodiness continues will seriously considering whether to continue with the arimidex. Thank you everyone for your postings I was beginning to think my declining ability to think on my feet was due to my approaching 60th birthday but now realize I need to discuss this with my doctor. F 59 8 months
3/25/2006

Previous Page       Next Page

BACK TO TOP