Aromatase Inhibitors: Did you decide to go on them or not?

I’m sorry others are experiencing bowel issues but I’m glad I’m not crazy! My medical providers act like this is not a thing others experience when I talk to them about it. They have offered a fiber supplement to try to reduce the number of times I’m going. My stool is not loose at all but just a lot more than I am used to going. Plus I often don’t know I’m going to poop when I sit down to pee (which I have to do more frequently as well) and I’m not a public pooper by nature so it bothers me in public restrooms. Thanks for sharing!!!!

I was only on Arimidex for about a month, the side effects were too much; also experienced an increased heart rate. My resting heart rate should be 60-70, its been floating between 83 and 103. Have no history of heart issues, no family history either. Echo was fine, EKG fine, bp fine, bloodwork fine. Seems coincidental that I’m feeling in now. Anyone else have any heart issues during or after Arimidex?? I’m not willing to try any other AI’s until this is resolved, cardiologist agrees.

Hi, @batm - I've moved your post on anastrozole (Arimidex) here to a discussion called "Arimidex" so that you could speak to other members who are already talking about this medication. I'd like to invite members like @tessfair1 @sparklegram @buckimom @nanato6 @cindylb who may have some thoughts for you on the side effects you experienced with this drug, including increased heart rate, and whether they may have had any heart issues with anastrozole (Arimidex).

So, @batm, if I understand correctly, your treatment with this type of medication is on hold till any heart issues are resolved? Is any other type of therapy a possibility at this time?

Wow, so I'm not the only one! My problem is what I call seeping poop. It's not diarrhea, but it's loose enough that it seeps onto the pad I have to wear full time now. I didn't think to connect it to the Arimidex but I never had it before, so now I wonder...

Correct, no new meds until this is resolved. I had lumpectomy last summer followed by radiation. Given all the side effects I had with Arimidex and now the increased heart rate I’m not certain I’m willing to try aromasin which is what the oncologist has recommended I try next.

I am out 2 years out after 2b lumpectomy and 33 radiation treatments. I had the aching for about a year and one half. Aching is gone now except for pain in my feet. Opted to stay on the arimadex. My Dr. put me on gabapentin for night time hot flashes. It has helped and I am sleeping better for the first time in 15 years. Still have them during the day but I can deal with that.

I had DCIS, stage 0, 11 years ago and did 35 days of radiation and took tamoxifen for 5 years. Last April, I found I had invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 1A.. I had lumpectomies for both. This time I did only 21 days of radiation and am now on anastrozole (Arimidex). I was also wondering what anastrozole would be like as I have heard so many stories. For me, it is nothing. I have had very minor things like hot flashes...but then it was a very hot summer and I was doing radiation. I have not had one since. I have always had aches and pains to some degree so I really do not think it is a problem for me. If I do have an achy day, I just think to myself that it is a sign that the medicine is working. Also, my cousin who has had breast cancer twice had a lumpectomy for the first one and no radiation or hormone meds. She got BC again in 3 years and just opted to have a double mastectomy also with no radiation or hormones. Now she wonders if she should have done either or both of the other therapies. I think there is no right answer to this. What works for one may not work for another. I opted to take the anastrozole because I did not to kick myself in the future for not doing everything I could for myself.

@sandyjr

I had practically no reaction to the Arimidex for about a year & a half. All of a sudden it really kicked in: deformed fingers & toes, challenging joint pain and muscle pain & spasms. The worst is I thought I was beginning into dementia. Had an appointment to be evaluated by neuropsychologist when I inadvertently found that the “dementia” I’ve been experiencing are side effects of the Arimidex. What a relief! I’ll only be miserable for few more years😜. I wish I had known this was a possibility. It would have saved me a great deal of angst. I understand About 50 percent of patients experience these effects within the first 2 years. I will continue with Arimidex as long as necessary and not take myself too seriously 😊. I hope you’re in the other 50 per cent ❤️

Thanks for sharing. Sorry it took so long to reply. The message went to my spam box. I hope I don’t experience your symptoms. I just have hair loss for now.