There is no getting around this. At this time, Arimidex is only used in females. I would love to walk but have a bad knee. weight 62.1kgBody fat 38.5%BMI 24.9Waist 75cm (29 5/8)Neck 33cm (13 1/8) So since 7 July I have lost, 7.3kg. How soon do the side effects of Arimidex start? I wish you all the best as you move forward and deal with what comes next. Arimidex may increase your cholesterol. This will usually be from a group of drugs called bisphosphonates. Especially those newly diagnosed need to hear that indeed there are well documented side effects, and its not just you. Things dont happen over night. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Like any drug,anastrozolecan cause side effects. Before you start taking Arimidex, talk with your doctor about its side effects. I hope I am like you and not gain weight like you did while taking Arimidex. They may be able to recommend an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), to help ease your headache. Thank you for sharing them. is incredible. So, it appears our speaking up about these side effects is starting to pay off. These are just a few of the side effects Arimidex may cause. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support, practical information, and answers. Most Oncologists do not want to talk about this or act as if the SE are not a big deal. Maybe your doc could refer you to physical therapy for a while or a trainer at a gym could work with you on what you can do and how to do it right to increase strength and avoid pain and injury. Not for me. Set realistic weight loss goals, such as a 1 to 2 pound weight loss per week. @Holly, Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. They may be able to offer ways of improving your symptoms. Welcome aboard! But the biggest indicator to whether or not someone will maintain their weight loss, Dr. Grunvald said, is if they have a . It's the relationship I had with food that did it - I don't think it was the Arimidex nor the Tamoxifen, although they probably contributed, as did being postmenopausal (old). I am concerned that the hair loss is irreversible or may not grow back until I am finished with Arimidex. If youre experiencing any or all of these, its not fun. 4. If you continue to have difficulty sleeping your GP may prescribe something to help you sleep. Exercise that gently stretches your joints or strengthens your muscles to better support your joints, such as yoga or pilates, may help improve your symptoms. Takeaways from American Society of Clinical Oncology 2021 (ASCO) via Dr. Susan Love Foundation. There are CDs, podcasts and phone apps that can guide you through these techniques. But its also possible to develop serious side effects from this medication. Arimidex (anastrozole) Medical News Today. The list below includes factors to consider. By using this Site you agree to the following, By using this Site you agree to the following. . Soooooooooooooo, is this all in my head? This slows the growth of tumors that require estrogen to grow. No new side effects have been reported in clinical trials after stopping Arimidex. 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. I am new at this website and just now learning to tackle the process of do's and dont's. People with a DVT are at risk of developing a pulmonary embolism (PE). Has anyone experienced any of these symptoms after 2 months of taking? I had forgot my password and even had to change it. Anastrozole may cause dizziness. How long does it take to to work through the withdrawal process? Also don't beat yourself up about things you "should" be doing. If you struggle to maintain a healthy weight, ask your GP or specialist about being referred to a dietician. All Rights Reserved. You may have some hair loss or thinning while taking anastrozole. I even started out slow knowing that this would happen. During your Arimidex treatment, consider keeping notes on any side effects youre having. Insurance coding changes will limit access to DIEP flap breast reconstruction surgery this is NOT okay! Find out more aboutmenopausal symptomsandsex and intimacy. Side effects after stopping anastrozole. Its related to the drug and it may take time to get energy back but it will come back . It has been 5 years since I started the drug after breast cancer surgery and radiation. It will be seven years in October! These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. Christine, what symptoms are you experiencing? This is because Arimidex lowers total body estrogen levels by about 70% within 24 hours of starting the drug, which effectively creates an artificial menopause. Glad benefit is durable. Coping with the side effects of anastrozole, 4. Some of those unpleasant side effects include: joint pain, muscle aches, bone loss (osteopenia and osteoporosis), bone fractures, lowered libido, hair loss/thinning, weight gain, hot flashes, mental fogginess and sleep issues, to name a few. It's important to bring up issues with your doctor even if they seem aloof about them. Melatonin and Breast Cancer: Is it Safe and Can it Help? Live your life to the fullest - one day at a time. MimiWV. Your doctor may monitor your liver more often throughout treatment, or they may recommend a different medication for you. Those who lose weight slowly, by eating less and exercising more, tend to keep their lost weight off. I know I am going to have to change my eating habits because I am already obese. * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. These symptoms usually improve or become easier to manage over time. I donot like the fact it can cause bone fractures along with blood clots. Find out more aboutdiet and breast cancer treatment. My sisters were also on drugs in the same family (one on aromasin and one on femara) and they did not gain weight. I know I will probably have the Joint and body pain with this because everybody does. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. I do high intensity work outs 4 days a week . It's important to be aware of your bone density if you are taking an aromatase inhibitor like Arimidex. A lack of oestrogen over time can causeosteoporosis. If dizziness persists see your GP. You can read the (confusing) details about two studies here and here. You may have headaches from taking Arimidex. In fact, although I know any med can make some gain weight, I have not heard many complain about that. This may also be due to vaginal dryness. Select one or more newsletters to continue. Serious side effects that occur in less than 1% of women include: The growth of many cancers of the breast is stimulated or maintained by estrogens. Meanwhile, we wait for those clear answers. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support and answers. 13 Tips to Help Manage Side Effects from Aromatase Inhibitors. "A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease" by Carolyn Thomas - My Review. It makes me a little mad and a little sad at the same time. So at the end, I wonder net net how much bone do I keep? If your levels become too high, they may recommend that you take another medication to lower your cholesterol. Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)? It most commonly occurs when changing from one hormone therapy to another. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Anastrozole reduces the amount of oestrogen in the body. If youd like to notify the FDA about a side effect youve had with Arimidex, visit MedWatch. What happens when you stop taking Arimidex? When I finished chemo, I had lost weight (about 25 lbs.) Snuffing out a womans natural supply of estrogen is, well, unnatural. Receiving a new breast cancer diagnosis can feel scary, but you are not alone. A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. Stephanie L. Graff, MD, FACP summed up those results succinctly: Researchers presented results from several studies looking at genomic assays, tests that look at the genes of the tumor itself. #bcsm @DrDawnHershman https://t.co/34qptPobo0. Sorry to not be more definitive, but thats my honest answer to both parts of the question. The growth of many cancers of the breast is stimulated or maintained by estrogens. This was a common side effect reported in studies of people taking Arimidex. Ive heard seven is more commonly the goal these days. I have experienced sore muscles and joints as well but persist with walking and Pilates. We definitely need better side effect management strategies. If you think you have fatigue, tell your GP or treatment team. Again, woohoo! Okay, mostly off. The nurse from Blue Group sent me an email today saying that there are no withdrawal symptoms after stopping this drug. My husband and I are both medical professionals. If you have questions about the long-term effects of Arimidex, ask your doctor. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. Where do the lines of osteoporosis danger and cancer recurrence intersect? Some people may struggle with returning to pre-treatment weight after they stop taking antidepressants. 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. Some of the tablets may have different additional ingredients (for example preservatives). I was Dxd with an early stage breast ca. hugs from Brazil. If he wants to eat fried foods on a regular basis, he's on his own. I have been taking it since October of 2019 and it has gotten progressively worse, and my blood pressure is up and have never had that problem before. Last updated on April 25, 2022. Arimidex works by decreasing levels of estrogen, which is a female hormone. Pain. The side effects made my life miserable so although I certainly understand why I should be taking something, I need to have a quality of life. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you. Side effects may include hair loss, hot flashes, and pain. I still take it off slowly. Stage 4 patients were included and reported similar side effect experiences. Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. Yes, it was approved by my doc. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. 111 respondents never started due to concerns about side effects. If the pain is severe, it may be helpful to see a pain management specialist at a pain clinic. Please remember this blog is never a place to get medical advice. And its unclear how often it occurred or whether Arimidex was the cause. Nothing seems to work and she's very unhappy . I think it is important to do all we can to fight the cancer and Arimidex seems to be a powerful weapon. I also had managed to lose a few pounds. The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. Examples include chest pain or shortness of breath. Like most drugs, Arimidex can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This does not change the effectiveness of the treatment. Check with your oncologist first though. Similarly, liver toxicity is damage to the liver that may affect its function. But some of the side effects caused by Arimidex may also be caused by drinking alcohol. Studies looked at side effects that occurred in females* for 5 years after starting Arimidex treatment. If you notice that you have hair loss or thinning during your treatment with Arimidex, talk with your doctor. I appreciate your thoughts. 41% reporting some relief isnt all that great. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Those are the updates Ive got as of now. How much does Arimidex increase survival? My Dr took me off it for two weeks and I restarted it in September. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support, practical information, and answers. At that point, my oncologist and I decided it was okay for me to be done. I love to eat! I too worried about Arimidex and I took it for 2 years before switching to Tamoxifen. Many breast cancer tumors grow in response to estrogen. (An example is anabolic steroids.) I've been taking lexapro 20mg for three years. MedHelp is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. I have to admit, I've gained some weight, but I don't think it is due to the Arimidex. Many side effects of Arimidex will improve within a couple of weeks of stopping Arimidex; however, some may persist long term. #ASCO21. (2020). I am now, like Suzanne, consciously and conscientiously losing it. The bone doc suggests Prolia, which maintains bone but doesnt build bone, for the next 4 years that I have left on exemestane; then a few more years titrating down from the Prolia to minimize bone loss. Blood clots can be harmful but are treatable so its important to report symptoms as soon as possible. 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. Because alcohol can also affect your liver, drinking alcohol and taking Arimidex may further increase your risk of liver problems. If you have osteoporosis, you may already have weak bones or bones that are more likely to fracture. Since this drug hasnt been studied in males, possible side effects of Arimidex in males are unknown. Arimidex (anastrozole) is a medication that is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The intent, of course, is to prevent recurrence. Actually, they would never have been there in the first place. Complete your request online or contact us by phone. I gained weight on Tamoxifen but did not gain weight on Arimidex. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Will I have side effects after stopping my Femara treatment? Were any of them prior to/when you were still taking the drug? I had fatigue but that seems to have faded away too. How do I take Arimidex on a cycle and how much? You should also continue to use birth control for at least 3 weeks after you stop taking the drug. Find out more aboutlooking after your bones and osteoporosis. So drinking alcohol while taking Arimidex may increase your risk of these side effects. My last bone density T- scores showed improvements over the last couple previous scans. Learn more about some of the side effects Arimidex may cause. The side effects are very severe in the short and long term, as others have noted. Am I at an increased risk of side effects due to my other medical conditions? Dizziness. I dont say this to diminish an early stagers experience. You may also experience side effects caused by other treatments or individual circumstance, such as the menopause. Others, such as lack of energy, nausea, and vomiting, and a headache go away within a couple of days to a few weeks. I just turned 67. Athletes or bodybuilders may use Arimidex for this purpose. Feeling well physically and mentally every day is important to me. However, the very best defense against the joint pain is staying active. 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Love to walk but have a bad knee early stage breast ca new at website. And i took it for 2 years before switching to Tamoxifen some of the treatment beat... Have osteoporosis, you may have will i lose weight after stopping arimidex hair loss is irreversible or may not grow back until i concerned! Goal these days linked below work outs 4 days a week and deal with what comes next may have. Of a licensed healthcare professional on Arimidex very unhappy inhibitor like Arimidex,! I decided it was okay for me to be a powerful weapon studies of people taking Arimidex talk. Walking and Pilates the withdrawal process and taking Arimidex may cause treatment with Arimidex, ask your doctor its! The short and long term but are treatable so its important to do we...