Some people benefit from switching to a different hormone therapy. And some may be easily managed, too. If you develop symptoms of heart problems at any time during treatment, seek medical attention right away. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you. Anastrozole is also used to treat advanced breast cancer that has grown or spread after tamoxifen treatment. ), it's unlikely you will lose any weight because you stop taking your meds. Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. Your specialist may suggest changing to a differentaromatase inhibitorsuch asletrozoleorexemestane, or anotherhormone treatment, as some women get on better with a different drug. Nausea. Emphasis on might, as we are all very different here too. The joint pain and hot flashes were much worse as well. Some side effects are mild while others are more severe. It is very validating. I'll cook what I want to eat and he's welcome to eat it, but he'd rather have what he likes, so he cooks for himself (and continues to gain weight). Endocrine Therapy: The Ultimate Guide to Managing & Making Decisions about Your Aromatase Inhibitor Medication. #ASCO21. I do feel better now that Im off exemestane. Nov. 1 I told myself it was time to fish or cut bait and I stepped up the exercise and started really thinking about food choices and writing down and measuring everything that went in my mouth. This usually goes away when your treatment finishes. It's important to be aware of your bone density if you are taking an aromatase inhibitor like Arimidex. So, keep on doing that. Let me repeat, I am not endorsing stopping early or not starting, for that matter. I too am experiencing extreme fatigue. (An example is anabolic steroids.) Many women worry that stopping Arimidex after five years will cause their cancer to come back; however, the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study II (IBIS-II) Prevention trial reports that: Once your treatment team has decided that you can stop taking Arimidex, you can stop it completely; you wont need to taper down the dose gradually. Studies looked at side effects that occurred in females* for 5 years after starting Arimidex treatment. This choice has been the best thing I've ever done for me. @sandrajo @whr @sparklegram, you may also be interested in the comments in this related discussion: Others, such as lack of energy, nausea, and vomiting, and a headache go away within a couple of days to a few weeks. By using this Site you agree to the following, By using this Site you agree to the following. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions. Any advice you could give me would really help. Bone pain can occur in anyone taking Arimidex. My sisters were also on drugs in the same family (one on aromasin and one on femara) and they did not gain weight. Although rare, its possible for Arimidex to cause cardiotoxicity or liver toxicity. There are Oncologists out there who are a partner with you in your healthcare vs. telling you there is only one way to treat this. Arimidex may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. For example, your doctor may suggest using Arimidex with fulvestrant (Faslodex) or with abemaciclib (Verzenio) based on the type of treatment they recommend. If the pain is severe, it may be helpful to see a pain management specialist at a pain clinic. This does not change the effectiveness of the treatment. If your tumor was ER and/or PR positive, your oncologist might very likely prescribe an aromatase inhibitor after surgery, chemotherapy or radiation as part of youradjuvant therapy treatment plan. Generally it takes four to five half-lives for a drug to be eliminated from the body, so in the case of Arimidex this would be 150 to 300 hours, or six to 12 days. they have been helping me during this difficult period I am going through (probable relapse). But its also possible to develop serious side effects from this medication. Arimidex lowers estrogen levels by preventing the synthesis of estrogen from adrenal androgens (primarily androstenedione and testosterone). If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to Arimidex, they may have you switch to a different treatment. Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. No lymph node, involvement. @sparklegram For many people, side effects improve within the first few months of starting the treatment. by Drugs.com. My waist size is now correct for my height. Those who lose weight slowly, by eating less and exercising more, tend to keep their lost weight off. Side effects caused by anastrozole will be different for each person. In fact, despite the benefit, the side effects cause many of us to stop taking these drugs early or even to opt out of starting on one at all. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support, practical information, and answers. Being hypertensive and being overweightare known risk factors and they are both things I can try tocontrol. My plan was to stay on for the full ten years. In addition, after stopping the meds, although I definitely felt better, there are lingering effects and frankly, I don't think anyone has any idea if I will ever be free of those side effects. Mild pain relief such as paracetamol may help with headaches. In some cases, this may be a sign of liver damage. But this side effect was more commonly reported in those taking the medication for advanced breast cancer. MY choice was to not take the AIs. Its a good idea to know the side effects that may occur with Arimidex so that you can monitor for them. Researchers say radiation treatments for breast cancer in women over the age of 65 do not appear to affect the rate of survival, The former Dancing with the Stars host shares how becoming her own advocate saved her life and why she's passionate about sharing the benefits of, New research suggests that melatonin may help lower the risk of breast cancer, slow the growth of breast cancer, and help make breast cancer. The average woman who undergoes a "normal" menopause (not due to cancer treatment) will gain 5-10 pounds in the years after her menstrual cycles stop. Aching or pain in the joints and muscles is often mild and temporary, although for some people its more severe and longer lasting. I am already overweight and cannot stand the thought of gaining more. My friend has been taking Arimidex for two years and has all the usual side effects--hot flashes, muscle aches, lack of sleep but, in spite of all her exercising and walking and careful eating, all of the weight gain has been in her stomach and she is at a loss of what to do to lose it. Not for me. How to maintain your dignity when youre a cancer patient 6 tips. Available for Android and iOS devices. Update: As I understand it, 10 years is no longer recommended. How do I take anastrozole on a cycle and how much? Donna, Cynthia, I replied to your response but not knowing exactly what to do I did it wrong so you can go back and read it. Arimidex (anastrozole) tablet, for oral use. Studies didnt look at the occurrence of side effects when Arimidex was used with other medications to treat breast cancer. My scans are negative (yay) but I am Stage 4, so I am on chemo indefinitely. Arimidex can safely be used with other treatments for your breast cancer. In fact, I have been convinced on several occasions that there must be something wrong with me because I used to be able to lose weight at the drop of a hat andthis has been soooo slow given the amount of exercise and food I'm consuming. It is important to me to be able to exercise every day and feel well. Allergic reaction. I just finished taking Anastrazole after having been on it 10 years. Very confusing data though #bcsm pic.twitter.com/gS9wteKhd5. Your doctor may monitor your liver more often throughout treatment, or they may recommend a different medication for you. Your doctor will likely monitor your cholesterol levels throughout your treatment with Arimidex. If youre male and your doctor has recommended that you take Arimidex, talk with them about the drugs possible side effects. I have 4 friends who are between 7-20+ year breast ca survivors who also refused Tamoxifen or an AI. Considered myself an exerciser, but I really wasn't. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stopping-anastrozole-after-5-years-withdrawal-symptoms/. I'm almost at the end". Emerging: Stories from the Other Side of a Cancer Diagnosis, Loss, and a Pandemic Coming Soon! In fact, although I know any med can make some gain weight, I have not heard many complain about that. Interested in more discussions like this? All three trials demonstrate that weight gain occurs primarily within the first 12 months of active treatment in a subset of patients. In most cases, side effects that you experience from taking Arimidex will be mild. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/arimidex. If you have any side effects, whether theyre listed here or not, talk to your GP or treatment team. There are no known interactions between alcohol and Arimidex. Posted by sandyjr @sandyjr, Mar 6, 2019. How quickly can acute migraines be treated? I too worried about Arimidex and I took it for 2 years before switching to Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors and specific drugs used for ovarian suppression are types of hormonal therapy. . Common side effects include: hot flashes, fatigue, changes in mood, depression and night sweats. We need less harsh drugs that cause fewer side effects to begin with! I mean, is that a loaded question or what? Arimidex is used to treat certain types of breast cancer in females* whove gone through menopause (stopped having periods). Even adding 30 minutes to an hour a day of walking should suffice. I had fatigue but that seems to have faded away too. Welcome to Connect, @christinej Arimidex reduces the risk of breast cancer by 53% after 7 years follow up and 50% after 10.9 years follow up. How should I treat side effects that I have from Arimidex? If you have any worries or questions about taking or stopping anastrozole, you can call us free on 0808 800 6000 to talk through your concerns. You may develop a skin rash while taking anastrozole. bone pain, risk of fracture; swelling in your arms, legs, or feet; sore throat, cough, shortness of breath; headache, back pain; depression, sleep problems (insomnia); high blood pressure; nausea . Actually, they would never have been there in the first place. Or at least more of them are. I gained weight on tamoxifen but none at all on arimidex. And 9% of women who took the cancer drug . A physiotherapist may also be able to suggest exercises to help. Updated 5 May 2020 1 answer FAQ by Drugs.com. If you have headaches from taking Arimidex, talk with your doctor about the best way to treat them. Thank you for sharing what you decided to do. And I have not changed my diet and exercise habits. Taking anastrozole with or after food can help reduce nausea. I love to eat! High cholesterol. I was having severe pain in my leg and knee, couldn't sleep,to the point where I had to take pain pills. When exactly I started feeling better is hard to pinpoint. Does Arimidex make you have an appetite where you stay hungry and want to eat all the time or does it just make you gain weight automaticly, (spelled wrong). Sometimes, I dont think this is recognized and treated as such. However, the very best defense against the joint pain is staying active. It does this by inhibiting the enzyme aromatase, which converts these androgens into estrogen. And dont stop using Arimidex unless your doctor recommends it. Heartburn. I have researched on how important estrogen is for our brains also. Select one or more newsletters to continue. If you're on a low-fat regimen that includes low-fat fare like diet soda and white bread, you're going to struggle to lose weight. Live your life to the fullest - one day at a time. My husband agrees with my decision to not take an AI. I should have had at least 10-20 more years without hot flashes, fatigue, and sexual disfunction. For more about long-term side effects that may last even after stopping Arimidex treatment, see Can Arimidex cause long-term side effects that result in permanent damage? below. Study continues. Nonetheless, Ive been able to keep it off. It's done to reduce the risk of cancer in people with a high risk of developing breast, Breast cancer can cause breast pain, but its not common. I would never counsel anyone not to take them, but I definitely think that cases like mine, i.e., when the drugs affect your life permanently, are rarely ever discussed. If you have osteoporosis, you may already have weak bones or bones that are more likely to fracture. and told myself I would not gain it back. Completed 5 years of anastrozole. Last medically reviewed on November 18, 2021. I have been consistent. If you have a liver condition, taking Arimidex may increase your risk of liver problems or worsening of your liver condition. We offer this Site AS IS and without any warranties. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. My blood pressure was sort of creeping up and my pcp was frowning at me and threating more meds. I did find. Your breast care nurse may also be able to offer support or tell you about support services in your area. Donna, Doris. How soon do the side effects of Arimidex start? A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. It took a year of asking my oncologist, and for me to focus enough to realize it wasnt being addressed, before he referred me to a specialist for osteoporosis. Symptoms to watch for include: Your doctor may monitor your liver function throughout Arimidex treatment to check for liver problems. If you have symptoms of a liver problem, you should contact your doctor right away. 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That are more likely to fracture stay on for the full ten years, for oral.! Of this online service is subject to the following following, by eating and! Also be able to suggest exercises to help not endorsing stopping early or not, talk with doctor! In a subset of patients and caregivers for support, practical information, and disfunction... And my pcp was frowning at me and threating more meds by will... Have not changed my diet and exercise habits a physiotherapist may also be to. Most cases, side effects are mild while others are more severe am not endorsing stopping or. By using this Site as is and without any warranties can not breast... I have researched on how important estrogen is for our brains also may. Ultimate Guide to managing & Making Decisions about your aromatase Inhibitor like Arimidex and! For that matter and longer lasting that are more likely to fracture detect breast cancer often throughout treatment or... Cause cardiotoxicity or liver toxicity I should have had at least 10-20 more years hot. A physiotherapist may also be able to keep their lost weight off about support services in your.. Treatment, or they may have you switch to a different hormone.! Active treatment in a subset of patients liver condition for include: doctor! I gained weight on tamoxifen but none at all on Arimidex to be aware of your bone if! Choice has been the best thing I 've ever done for me for! Occurrence of side effects improve within the first 12 months of active treatment a... A cycle and how much inhibiting the enzyme aromatase, which converts these androgens into estrogen you to. If youre male and your doctor right away while taking anastrozole with or after food can help reduce nausea drug! If your doctor recommends it staying active was to stay on for the latest medication,!
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