Many people feel low or depressed. It really helps combat the fatigue and soreness. Thank you and your lovely readers for sharing their experiences. 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. In addition, Arimidex may affect your liver. Registered Office: Fifth Floor, Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London EC3N 1DY. I dont say this to diminish an early stagers experience. Arimidex can safely be used with other treatments for your breast cancer. Has anyone stopped this drug and had any withdrawal symptoms? See my summary attached. If you develop symptoms of heart problems at any time during treatment, seek medical attention right away. Is Taking a Break from Your Aromatase Inhibitor Med a Good Idea? My plan was to stay on for the full ten years. I donot like the fact it can cause bone fractures along with blood clots. If youre concerned about medications that may interact with Arimidex, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Complete your request online or contact us by phone. Researchers say radiation treatments for breast cancer in women over the age of 65 do not appear to affect the rate of survival, The former Dancing with the Stars host shares how becoming her own advocate saved her life and why she's passionate about sharing the benefits of, New research suggests that melatonin may help lower the risk of breast cancer, slow the growth of breast cancer, and help make breast cancer. Arimidex lowers estrogen levels by preventing the synthesis of estrogen from adrenal androgens (primarily androstenedione and testosterone). So, did I start feeling better and if so, when? They can assess you and offer advice on how to manage your energy levels. Available for Android and iOS devices. Its not known if Arimidex is safe to take during pregnancy. He said you lose bone when stopping the Prolia. Yes, I take 2000 units daily. Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. They may monitor you more often throughout your treatment, or they may recommend a different medication for you. Dosage for Arimidex: What You Need to Know, accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/020541s031lbl.pdf, ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.119.044750, 7 Things I Would Tell Someone Recently Diagnosed with Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Treatment: Why Some Older Patients May Not Need Radiation, TV Host Samantha Harris Says her Breast Cancer Was Misdiagnosed for Months. But instead I have to live like a 55 year old in the body of a 32 year old. Also dealing with insomnia, no hot flashes or sweats. And 9% of women who took the cancer drug . As always, I do endorse learning all you can, speaking candidly with your care team about side effects (or lack there of), asking for help in managing any side effects that are bothering you and ultimately, making decisions about staying on or going off these drugs that feel right for YOU. Keep eating in a calorie deficit and the weight will come off in due time. 4. The half life of Arimidex is 30 to 60 hours. I appreciate your thoughts. Takeaways from American Society of Clinical Oncology 2021 (ASCO) via Dr. Susan Love Foundation. 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. If dizziness persists see your GP. I regestered for this website in February and just gotback on here last night and tried to figure what to do. When you do stop, it will likely take some time before you notice changes in how you feel. Your breast care nurse may also be able to offer support or tell you about support services in your area. But its not recommended that you breastfeed while taking Arimidex or for at least 2 weeks after stopping treatment. You can read the (confusing) details about two studies here and here. The same goes for low-carb if you're eating bacon every day, says . Many people find that symptoms improve over time. (An example is anabolic steroids.) For more about long-term side effects that may last even after stopping Arimidex treatment, see Can Arimidex cause long-term side effects that result in permanent damage? below. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Find out more aboutmenopausal symptomsandsex and intimacy. Interested in more discussions like this? If you have a history of high cholesterol you may want to discuss this with your specialist or GP. My scans are negative (yay) but I am Stage 4, so I am on chemo indefinitely. For example, your doctor may suggest using Arimidex with fulvestrant (Faslodex) or with abemaciclib (Verzenio) based on the type of treatment they recommend. I want to lose 12 more and I know it will happen - as long as I keep doing what I'm doing. 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. If you have any liver or heart conditions, tell your doctor before starting Arimidex. I gained most of my weight back within 3 years. All rights reserved. The cancer connection is that I had 2 primary cancers (breast and endometrial) that were estrogen related. I gained weight on tamoxifen but none at all on arimidex. If you notice that you have hair loss or thinning during your treatment with Arimidex, talk with your doctor. Below are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Arimidex in studies. Can't win!! This will usually be from a group of drugs called bisphosphonates. You won't know until you try it how it will affect you! For many people, side effects improve within the first few months of starting the treatment. Keeping it real. Others, such as lack of energy, nausea, and vomiting, and a headache go away within a couple of days to a few weeks. I also am doing my part by eating very healthy/high plant-based diet. When you move, your joints get lubricated with joint fluid and you have less pain and inflammation. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support and answers. I also had managed to lose a few pounds. I am new at this website and just now learning to tackle the process of do's and dont's. Some people benefit from switching to a different hormone therapy. If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to Arimidex, they may have you switch to a different treatment. Your doctor may monitor your liver more often throughout treatment, or they may recommend a different medication for you. Arimidex is used to treat certain types of breast cancer in females* whove gone through menopause (stopped having periods). Aromasin is a kind of endocrine therapy . Especially those newly diagnosed need to hear that indeed there are well documented side effects, and its not just you. hugs from Brazil. They may be able to offer ways of improving your symptoms. It amazes me with all the encouragent and ideas that you give everyone. I know I will probably have the Joint and body pain with this because everybody does. If you develop bone pain, talk with your doctor. But keep in mind that the increased risk of breaking a bone goes away after you stop taking Arimidex. Sheri, You're very welcome. sparklegram | @sparklegram | Apr 11, 2019 Arimidex (anastrozole) is a medication that is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Regalhank. ), it's unlikely you will lose any weight because you stop taking your meds. You did fine! Stopping abnormal, heavy bleeding. The only bad thing withme is I have had 2 rotatorcuff surgeries on my right shoulder, 1 on my left shoulder,1 knee surgery, and a small surgery on my right angle. However I'm am on Afinitor now and I have lost weight and now . Will you feel better after stopping your aromatase inhibitor medication and if so, when? OR a BMI between 30 and 39.9 with a serious obesity-related health problem like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, joint problems, or others. I've been taking lexapro 20mg for three years. If you already have high cholesterol, taking Arimidex may make your cholesterol levels even worse. My bone loss seems to have slowed and even reversed itself a tad. However, I decided to stop a wee bit early. My Dr took me off it for two weeks and I restarted it in September. I have to admit, I've gained some weight, but I don't think it is due to the Arimidex. You should also continue to use birth control for at least 3 weeks after you stop taking the drug. At all. You may develop a skin rash while taking anastrozole. Updated 6 May 2020 1 answer FAQ by Drugs.com. When given before surgery to shrink a tumor, its called neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. Stage 4 patients were included and reported similar side effect experiences. If youre a man and taking an AI med, whats your experience been like? If Im surmising correctly, who benefits from these assays might be more nuanced. Arimidex is selective too which means that it only affects blood estradiol concentrations, and has no effect on the formation of adrenal corticosteroids or aldosterone. If you experience any of the following symptoms contact your local A&E department, GP or treatment team straight away: Side effects caused by anastrozole will be different for each person. If you have additional questions about possible side effects that can occur after 5 years of treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Actually, they would never have been there in the first place. MY choice was to not take the AIs. I should have had at least 10-20 more years without hot flashes, fatigue, and sexual disfunction. Similarly, seek medical attention right away if you develop symptoms of a liver condition, such as yellowing of the eyes or skin. Source: Tweet (below) from recent #ASCO21 Conference. So at the end, I wonder net net how much bone do I keep? I have lost 5 3/8 from my waist and 3/4 from my neck. Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. Endocrine Therapy: The Ultimate Guide to Managing & Making Decisions about Your Aromatase Inhibitor Medication. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Arimidex. I was dx with stage 2, multifocal DCIS, HER2+ and estrogen positive 6.5 cm mass, in February. I have, hard time controlling my bladder, and memory is definitely been affected along with mild hot flashes. I have been on Arimidex for 2 months. Many side effects of Arimidex will improve within a couple of weeks of stopping arimidex; however, some may persist long term. Many side effects of Arimidex will improve within a couple of weeks of stopping Arimidex; however, some may persist long term. Stopped taking arimedex several months ago but some symptoms persist: Fatigue, hair thinning, profuse sweating. Vaginal bleeding can happen in the first few weeks after starting anastrozole. Anastrozole may cause dizziness. In fact, I have been convinced on several occasions that there must be something wrong with me because I used to be able to lose weight at the drop of a hat andthis has been soooo slow given the amount of exercise and food I'm consuming. Starting Arimidex Break from your Aromatase Inhibitor medication and if so,?. 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Care nurse may also be able to offer support or tell you about support in! And memory is definitely been affected along with mild hot flashes, fatigue, and its recommended... If so, when: fatigue, and sexual disfunction want to lose 12 more and I it! Right away if you develop symptoms of a liver condition, such yellowing! February and just now learning to tackle the process of do 's and dont.! 2020 1 answer FAQ by Drugs.com my scans are negative ( yay ) I! In studies breast cancer in females * whove gone through menopause ( stopped having periods.! Even reversed itself a tad here and here have high cholesterol you may develop a skin rash taking.
