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

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 ❤️

I’m very sorry you have had these side effects, but I must also admit that I am relieved that someone else has experienced this from Arimidex/Anastrozole. I feared I was heading into dementia also, and I’m 65. The anxiety and self consciousness I felt from some mild memory loss was awful. I truly thought I was heading into dementia too! The worst was that my husband wasn’t very nice about it that I couldn’t remember things as well I used to. It inconvenienced him that I forgot things and he didn’t like it at all. Recently, I started itching and breaking out in hives. That’s another rare side effect. My doctor switched me to tomoxifin and the hives and itching is better, but not completely relieved. I’ve given myself a break and stopped taking it twice for about 10 days; after a couple days off the meds I start to feel like my old self again-the itching and hives go away. I know it’s probably not good for me to take a break from it, but at the holidays when I had my family here it was such a joy to be able to feel more like myself again! I’m grateful to have medication available to help prevent a recurrence of cancer, but the side effects sure aren’t pleasant either!

Glad you caught the cancer early. I had a stage 0 LCIS which 2 years later became a Stage One. Because the Lobular is trickier, I opted to have a bi lateral mastectomy so I wouldn't have to go through all the constant testing and worry. All that said......I tried the aromatase drugs (Letrozole and Arimidex) and had ALL the side effects (just lucky I guess) and opted not to use them......at Stage 0 and again at Stage 1. BUT, I think I am the exception. I can't tolerate most drugs. There are lots of people who do tolerate them pretty well. I was 56 when I was first diagnosed and am 61 now. I opted for feeling better most of the time vs. the drugs, but why not try them, see how you feel on them and take it from there. I tried 2 different ones and the Letrozole was better than the Arimidex for me. Everyone is different. I wish I could have tolerated them because perhaps it would have stopped my cancer from advancing to a Stage 1 ultimately. If they make you feel bad you can always quit them. If they are tolerable....perhaps you won't have the cancer again???? There are so many tough decisions to make at a time when you are least emotionally able to make them, so hugs to you.

My husband hasn’t been very patient either. Doesn’t like disruption to his routine. I’m 74 and married 40 some years (can’t remember 😳) & felt quite comfortable telling him to get used to it; I have at least 4 years to go, lol. I feel so fortunate to have found this forum and wish all of us the very best.

Hoping things go better with your husband...sometimes they need a little direction. Do you go to any cancer support meetings? If so, can you take him with you - he may get a better understanding. My hubby used to get frustrated with me while in my 40s I underwent surgical menopause and the hot flashes and sweats were abysmal for years then a few years ago he went through prostate cancer and had to have female hormones prior to treatment...he learned real fast what I had been going undergoing and became more understanding after that...when he forgets, I remind him!

@trixie1313 -Hi Trixie, I have a fabulous daughter (whose twin brother died of cancer at age 15) is a Director of clinical cancer trials for a large company. She put hubby on “a need to know basis” and is a wonderful partner! My husband is who he is and I’m okay with that. He does what ever I ask. It’s all working😊