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 |
| 1 | Breast Cancer Mastectomy 1st Stage | SEVERE Bone and Joint pain in hips, legs and feet, nausea in the morning and extreme fatigue. Felt better after 8 months of chemo. | I feel like I am 100 years old and NO quality of life and effecting my job. Numerous trips to different doctor's, MRIs and no one could find out what was wrong with me. Last doctor that I went to see on 03/06 in NYC (Rheumatologist, suggested that it may be the Arimidex. Waiting for blood test to come back for Muscle Disease. He said that that I may have to go off of this medication for about 3 months to see if symptoms disappear. After reading the many comments on this site, I AM STOPPING THIS MEDICATION NOW. | F | 51 | 15 months | 3/21/2006 | 3 | breast cancer | Awful, awful aches and stiffness in the knees and foot joints. Tingling sensation in the feet. All of these symptoms seem to be getting worse. Sometimes I can hardly walk in the morning and by day's end, my legs have had it. Often there is a burning sensation in my feet. Notice the stiffness is moving to my elbows, arms, and hands. Forget deep knee bends. Don't have the energy I once had nor much enthusiasm for anything physical. Almost suddenly about 5 months ago I started gaining weight. I live where it is extremely cold in the winter with lots of snow. Find myself more leery about walking on the snow for fear of falling. Notice I don't climb on a chair like I use to to reach high places. Am inclined to believe the cure is nearly as bad as the disease. | F | 64 | 3 years | 3/18/2006 | 5 | Stg3 BC,chemo,double mast.,radiatio | Quite a bit of achiness and stiffness...some fatigue...some memory loss ( or does that just come with getting older?) No weight gain - but I am fairly disciplined with my diet and work out regularly - which I think helps with the sore joints a bit. Fewer hot flashes than when I was on the tamoxifan. I trust that these side effects are worth it! | F | 51 | 6 months | 3/13/2006 | 5 | Breats cancer stage 3 | Sore legs, ankles, feet, a lot of stiffness in the morning, fatigue, fuzzy brain! | It's a small price to pay - I hope it's doing what it's supposed to be doing..I was on tamoxifan for 2 1/2 years - I had a terrible time with hot flashes. Arimidex isn't as bad with those. | F | 51 | 6 months | 3/12/2006 | 3 | Breast Cancer Stage 1 | Joint pain in hands, feet, and a sometimes all over feeling of ache. It's hard to pick up my water glass in the morning. I've been on it for 5 months and have gained about 8 lbs. even though I've been working out. I've also experienced sleeplessness, hot flashes, night sweats which I also experienced when I was on Tamoxifen. | I was on Tamoxifen for about 11 months when I was experiencing severe memory loss. After going off the Tamoxifen for 1 month, the memory side effects went away. My doctor switched me to Arimidex and I've been on it for about 5 months. I've read several of the other comments about others wanting to go off of it because of the side effects... I'm not sure I really want to risk the alternative, but it's definately crossed my mind. | F | 40 | 5 months | 3/12/2006 | 3 | After Mastectomy & Reconsruction | I am experiencing joint pain, difficulty Sleeping and low abdominal pain which comes and goes. I also feel my mind isn't as sharp as before. I did have hot flashes but these seem to have subsided recently. | As I have only been on the tablets for a short time I feel that I should give them a while longer to see if some of the side effects die down. | F | 60 | 6 weeks | 3/7/2006 | 2 | Breast Cancer Stage II | Joint pain, stiffness, vaginal dryness, mood swings, depression, finger and feet numbness. | I've been on Arimidex for 4 months after taking Tamoxifen for 2 years. The only side effects from Tamoxifen where hot flashes, but my oncologist thought it would be best to switch to Armimidex to lower chances for Vaginal Cancer. After taking this drug for 3 weeks I started to notice muscle stiffness and joint pain. It has gotten progressively worse, some days I can barely get out of bed. I am only 47 and feel like a 90 year old! My energy level has diminished considerably. Sometimes I wonder if reducing chances for recorrence is worth the lower quality of life. My constant muscular and joint pain makes me irritable & my sex drive is nonexistent. Has anyone switched to a different drug? if so, could you let me know which one? | F | 47 | 4 months | 3/5/2006 | 4 | BC St 3 Duct Carc Mast. 5 pos nodes | Fatigue comparable to what I had on Chemo & Radiation. General joint pain, most notably hands (can't make a fist when I wake up) and feet (have to stretch my plantar facia muscles to be able to walk). OK once I get moving around, but hate the lack of stamina. Hot flashes kept in check with a drug called Eperbel-S. | Since the onset of my cancer was pre-menapausal and was estrogen triggered, I know that Arimidex is the preferred drug to Tamoxifen (wouldn't want the risk of blood clots and uterine cancer anyway). Like everyone else, I'm concerned as to the long term effects of this drug. A recent dexascan showed I have osteoporosis, so I'm taking Fosamax + 2000 mg of calcium and 1500 mg of glucosamine chondroitin. I walk to get the load bearing exercise, but would like to be able to do the activities I was able to prior to my diagnosis in Jan. '05. I plan on sticking it out with this med for 5 yrs in the hope these symptoms are not permanent, or until a better med comes along. I may also look into herbal remedies for relief. Yes, it is a hard choice of quantity vs. quality of life, but fighting cancer once was enough for me, so I'm digging in my heels for the long haul. | F | 49 | 5 months | 3/1/2006 | 4 | stage 1 breast cancer | Moderate joint pain and stiffness in hips, ankles, knees, thinning hair, insomnia, hot flashes, weight gain, fluid retention in ankles, legs. | I was on Femara previously and experienced debilitating joint pain, so I was switched to Arimidex. The pain is not as severe now, but I am not sure I want to take this medication for 5 years or longer. It is a hard decision to choose quality of life versus potential reoccurrence of cancer. | F | 54 | 3 months | 2/18/2006 | 4 | Stage IV BC w/Bone Metastatsis | I have only been taking Arimidex for about 5 months (this is a recurrance from 2003 & I took Tamoxifen before) and have gained about 5 lbs and my hair (which had started to grow back after taking Taxol & Taxitere)is growing much more slowly and not getting thicker. I do have some aches and pains, especially after sitting or lying down and then getting up to move around or walk, but since I have bone metastatis from the breast cancer, I would probably have some pains anyway. I have been taking an infusion of Aredia once a month since 2003 and my joint pain is quite minimal especially considering my diagnosis. My doctor is pleased with it at this point and my blood work and check ups have been good so far. If the side effects from Arimidex don't significantly increase over time, I am happy with it. The weight gain and thin hair is a small price to pay if the medication does help prevent the cancer from growing again. Of course, that is something that can only be determined ov | F | 60 | 5 months | 2/8/2006 | 3 | Stage 2 Estrogen-Sensitive BC | Arthritic joint pain, especially in hip, predates taking Arimidex, but it's worse now. Taking adequate calcium with vitamin D makes a huge difference. I take a minimum of 1800 mg every single day. If I skip a day I immediately feel about 20 years older. (I ride horses a couple of times a week so I stress those joints quite a bit.) I have some fatigue and depression now that I suspect are related to taking Arimidex. I experienced memory problems, insomnia, and hot flashes with the onset of menopause -- these cleared up before I was diagnosed and long before I started taking Arimidex. | My oncologist expects that I will continue Arimidex indefinitely unless studies suggest a reason for discontinuing. | F | 55 | 5 years | 2/6/2006 | 3 | st 2 ,dou mas,chem,HER2NUoncogene | within 1 week of beginning the drug I was waking up with 1 finger completely closed against my palm and unable to open it without using other hand,extreme joint pain especially in fingers, hands and wrists, unable to move fingers in morning have to use heat on my hands in the morning before I have any use of my fingers, fingers close up and lock when not in constant use, am now using a walking stick and feel like I'm 90 years old | am trying to stay on this drug as my oncologist says this is my best chance but I have to wonder if it is worth the extreme pain | F | 49 | 11 months | 2/5/2006 | 2 | Breast Cancer | Hip pain starting third month of treatment--shooting pains in hip joint which radiate to pubic bone. No over the counter meds help significantly--I walk in short steps with a limp most of the day. Hair loss--can tell mostly by how much is in the tub after shampooing. Energy level is reduced but my weight and very demanding job are also factors in that | F | 53 | 4 months | 2/5/2006 | 3 | st II invasive breast cancer | After 9 months Tamoxifen resulted in depression endometrial changes (2 ops) and weight loss, the first 5 months of Arimidex felt wonderful. I then developed increased pain, stiffness and inflammation in my heels and ankles, followed by all the hinged joints - elbows, knees, wrists, fingers - so that in the morning I could scarcely walk. My hair thinned and I started having maniacal mood swings - real teapot throwing times; when I started having palpitations I decided to give myself a drug holiday after having a dexa scan. After three months break, the joints are less painful but the moods have almost entirely remitted and no palpitations at all. I now find I am in the osteopenic range: what a flippin' dilemma! | How difficult it is to function in an oestrogenic desert! Arimidex had a disastrous impact on my quality of life and I question long-term joint damage - pain must mean something. However, I'm thinking whether I can go back on it for one more year to confer protection for a while longer so I need to sort out a mental and physical battle plan: I can see from the comments this is a shared dilemma so how have people done this?? And with good effect?? | F | 51 | 10 months | 2/4/2006 | 3 | stage 1 breast cancer | hot flashes, joint pain, insomnia, and headaches. | had lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy (negative) in may 2005, 7 weeks of radiation and now arimidex..hope side effects subside a little bit... | F | 53 | 5 months | 2/1/2006 | 2 | BCStage 1+ Double Mastectomy DCIS | I did not have to have Chemo or radiation because they said they got it all and I decided to have both breasts removed. I figured I was only going through his surgery once. I did not have recontructive surgery and am very pleased with my decision. | I have decided today to not take Arimidex any more. I will be off of it for a month before my next oncology visit. I felt better the day after surgery than I do now. What I have been reading about the side effects makes me wonder if I will actually return to almost normal. I would rather have cancer again - and possibly die from it than continue on with this medication. I exercise, eat well-balanced meals and want to enjoy what life I have left relatively pain free. Good luck to all of you who are going to continue with this drug. I plan on enjoying my life to the fullest and will deal with the consequences as they arise. I also believe a little mind over matter goes a long way. I had colon cancer eight years ago and have been clean since. Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease. | F | 56 | 7 months | 1/27/2006 | 2 | Breast Cancer-Inflamitory | I took Arimidex while going through Chemo and was so messed up I don't know what was the Chemo and what was the Arimidex. After 5 months of Arimidex, I went to Tamoxifen and experienced mood swings...felt irritable sometimes and felt like crying over any little thing, hot flashes, had trouble sleeping through the night, weight gain, hair thinning. Then I went on Arimidex again. | Since taking Arimidex, I have continued to have hot flashes and sleeping problems. In addition, I have developed high blood pressure...160/96, lots of joint pain..hands,feet,back, headaches, incontinence, wrinkles, weight gain, and my energy level has declined greatly. The only thing I can say that is marginally good about Arimidex is that I was a little more in control of my emotions. "I" decided to quit taking Arimidex Dec 19th of last year(total 3.5 years on Tamoxifen and 1.5 on Arimidex) and shortly after quiting, my incontinence went away but the other symtoms are still there. I am hoping in time they will go away too. I refuse to take a drug that "might" prevent me from getting cancer again and possibly kill me from a heart attack or have surgery for my bladder problem. | F | 63 | 5 years | 1/25/2006 | 2 | Breast Cancer-Inflamitory | I took Arimidex while going through Chemo and was so messed up I don't know what was the Chemo and what was the Arimidex. After 5 months of Arimidex, I went to Tamoxifen and experienced mood swings...felt irritable sometimes and felt like crying over any little thing, hot flashes, had trouble sleeping through the night, weight gain, hair thinning. Then I went on Arimidex again. | Since taking Arimidex, I have continued to have hot flashes and sleeping problems. In addition, I have developed high blood pressure...160/96, lots of joint pain..hands,feet,back, headaches, incontinence, wrinkles, weight gain, and my energy level has declined greatly. The only thing I can say that is marginally good about Arimidex is that I became a little more in control of my emotions. "I" decided to quit taking Arimidex Dec 19th of last year(total 3.5 years on Tamoxifen and 1.5 on Arimidex) and shortly after quiting, my incontinence went away but the other symtoms are still there. I am hoping in time they will go away too. I refuse to take a drug that "might" prevent me from getting cancer again and possibly kill me from a heart attack or have surgery for my bladder problem. My doctor wanted me to be on it for 2.5 more years. I'm sure that would have made the manufacturers of Arimidex very happy! | F | 63 | 5 years | 1/25/2006 | 2 | Stage 2 BC with Node Involvement | Insomnia, extreme joint pain that moved from fingers into wrists - feel like wrists will break when I pick things up (like my dog), hot flashes better than with Tamoxifen (on that for 3.5 years), gained another 10 pounds after switch, very fatigued. Joint pain is so bad that I cannot sleep. Cannot find anything that helps pain. | I am taking it because my oncologist recommended I switch, being "post menopausal" at 37 with no ovaries, I took his advice. Concerned about long-term effects of joint issues. I cardio kick-box, bike ride, and yoga. More I do, the better I feel, but fatigue and insomnia are robbing me of keeping a steady routine! Agree with another's comment of how I felt WAY better right after 6 months of chemo than I do now! I don't like this stuff!!!! | F | 37 | 12 months | 1/19/2006 | 3 | recurence bc | Changes all the time, but might be any of the following gi symptoms, slight headache, very worn out, achy, moody. Had no problem with tamoxiphen except for slight tiredness. Arimadex is worse than Chemo for me cause there is no 3 month end point. I can do this, but it's no fun. It's the gi symptoms that are the worst. Sleep okay, not much joint pain. Will it get worse? chemo got better. I'm definetly not me, but I can still fool people. Exercize does help. | My doctor only said people who take it feel blah. This is 10 times worse than blah. She ought to read this website. | F | 62 | 4 weeks | 1/17/2006 |