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← Return to Arimidex Pain Starting after 17+ months
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Arimidex Pain Starting after 17+ months
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jun 3, 2021 | Replies (32)Comment receiving replies
Hi @mjay
You are not alone in experiencing joint pain with Arimidex (anastrozole). Some people do not and others, like you, experience pain as a delayed side effect. I'm tagging @trixie1313 @kathyomaha55 @sparklegram @kathysway @newgranny @wyngnit @dmgweiss and @elizm to share their experiences, keeping in mind that everyone is different. This discussion of over 1300 messages attests to that:
- Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-completed-all-treatments-for-breast-cancer-but-now-i-am-supposed/
Mjay, have you talked to your oncologist about pain management options or possible switching to a different aromatase inhibitor (AI)?
Replies to "Hi @mjay You are not alone in experiencing joint pain with Arimidex (anastrozole). Some people do..."
Thank you for your reply and info. I'm aware of the many side effects of AI's from the myriad comments posted. What took me by surprise is that my joint pain came on after a fair amount of time being on them (1.5 yrs), or perhaps I was just naive to think that all of the side effects would hit me in the first few months of being on the drug and that I was somewhat in the car. With the exacerbated joint pain, I'm now questioning what damage is being done longer term. I will definitely be discussing with my oncologist next month and getting more testing to determine osteoporotic changes. Thank you again for your assistance.
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@mjay As Colleen noted, there are not uniform reactions to anastrozole, but bone and joint aches seem to be fairly common. Mine started about three months after initiating it. At the time, exercise on the treadmill seemed to help. Of course, exercise options are different for many of us during the pandemic... I'm sitting more now for one thing... and alas, I'm older.
Nevertheless, and for other reasons, I switched AIs last October. I haven't noticed the bone aches for several months now. It is something which you might want to consider. Do discuss this option with your oncologist and let us know.