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Arimidex Pain Starting after 17+ months

Posted by mjay @mjay, Apr 12, 2021

I've been on Arimidex AI since October 2019 and have experienced some sleeplessness, anxiety/depression, but more recently I've been experiencing stronger joint pain. I thought I was in the clear as far as painful side effects after 1.5 years, but it looks like it may be just coming to a peak now. Has anyone else thought Arimidex side effects were tolerable for the first 1.5 years and then gotten much worse joint pains after a longer period of time in hands, knees, ankles? I'm not sure whether to blame the drug or just getting older. Thanks for your replies!

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sparklegram | @sparklegram | May 31, 2021
In reply to @mjay "Thanks for your reply. I’m happy the tamoxifen works better for you and helped minimize side..." + (show)
@mjay

Thanks for your reply. I’m happy the tamoxifen works better for you and helped minimize side effects. I have a lot of the same issues you experienced, plus anxiety and depression and brain fog/memory loss as a result of all the side effects, not to mention fear of recurrence. I can no longer wear my rings as my knuckles are too swollen, likely arthritis taking up residence where I had none previously.
I’m trying to weigh the pros and cons of going off all drugs to maintain quality of life, but it’s such a gamble. I have very dense breasts and they’re always “seeing something” on exam requiring more views so I may be more on edge off the drugs than on them with all the side effects. I have a meeting this week but since oncologists are MD.’s who want to save lives, I don’t envision they’ll be in agreement with going off the drugs, although in the end it’s everyone’s personal choice.
Thanks to all of you for your responses and support on this group as nobody relates to our condition as we all can. 💗

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@mjay, I've been following these posts about AI's for a long time. Everyone has different experiences with different drugs. Some people have had minimal side effects with Exemestane, others with Tamoxifen. Would you consider trying each of those drugs (with your Oncologist's approval) for a few months each to evaluate your reaction?

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mjay | @mjay | Jun 3, 2021
In reply to @sparklegram "@mjay, I've been following these posts about AI's for a long time. Everyone has different experiences..." + (show)
@sparklegram

@mjay, I've been following these posts about AI's for a long time. Everyone has different experiences with different drugs. Some people have had minimal side effects with Exemestane, others with Tamoxifen. Would you consider trying each of those drugs (with your Oncologist's approval) for a few months each to evaluate your reaction?

Jump to this post

Hi, Sparklegram. I met with my Onco and am now taking a 2-month hiatus from Anastrazole. I'm hoping the worst side effects lessen during this drug vacay! After the two months, my Onco will still recommend either staying on Arimidex or a different AI. She did mention tamoxifen also as an alternative. I generally am having a hard time accepting taking any of these anti-estrogen meds due to their many and varied side effects, and my generally not being a "pill popper" for any health issues. I guess I'll just have to suck it up and pick the one with the least side effects for the duration. Thanks.

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