I also am doing my part by eating very healthy/high plant-based diet. If your doctor confirms you had a mild allergic reaction to Arimidex, theyll decide if you should continue using it. Some people benefit from switching to a different hormone therapy. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. MimiWV. If you continue to have difficulty sleeping your GP may prescribe something to help you sleep. 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. Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Arimidex can cause. 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. This has helped with the pain. How long do side effects last after stopping Arimidex? 13 Tips to Help Manage Side Effects from Aromatase Inhibitors. However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Any advice you could give me would really help. Yes, Arimidex may cause some long-term side effects. I want to lose 12 more and I know it will happen - as long as I keep doing what I'm doing. Im starting year 6 on Aromasin-I tried every AI, this is my best tolerated-after results from Index test stated Only 5 more years girlfriend! Ouch, that hurt! Your doctor will try to find out the cause of your symptoms. More Items Apr 26, 2022 Can You Take A Break From Anastrozole? Its a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others. in the past 7 1/2 months. I am definitely kicking cancer's butt!!! Emphasis on might, as we are all very different here too. What are the new treatment options for migraines? Side effects that should resolve quickly include: Side effects that may persist for a few months, or that may still require medications to treat them include: Unfortunately, no formal clinical studies have been done investigating the persistence of side effects from Arimidex. It is possible to lose weight if you don't eat dinner, however, it does not necessarily mean that you should stop eating dinner altogether. If applicable, has your medical team helped you come up with side effect management strategies and if so, which ones worked (or didnt work)? That averages a littleless thana pound a week. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.). Endocrine Therapy: The Ultimate Guide to Managing & Making Decisions about Your Aromatase Inhibitor Medication. And yes, I still have a fair number of pounds to lose, but I have made progress. My plan was to stay on for the full ten years. High estrogen levels can cause side effects such as gynecomastia (unusual breast gland enlargement . Higher levels of liver enzymes may indicate liver damage. Our friends with MBC dont have the option to just stop despite the nasty side effects of AIs. Thank you for the positive words. 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. You're eating the wrong foods. In fact, despite the benefit, the side effects cause many of us to stop taking these drugs early or even to opt out of starting on one at all. Arimidex may weaken your bones and increase your risk of bone fractures. The names in parentheses are brand names. Copyright 2000-2022 Cancer Survivors Network. Goodacre underwent surgery and radiation in 2012 after an ultrasound detected a tumor. Similarly, seek medical attention right away if you develop symptoms of a liver condition, such as yellowing of the eyes or skin. Declining an AI does not necessarily mean the ca will come back. It will be seven years in October! They may recommend that you try a different medication. How much does Arimidex increase survival? Arimidex is only approved to be used in females whove gone through menopause (stopped having periods). I push myself to do what ever I have to get done . Had 8." + (show) Anastrozole did indeed do a number of adverse things to my skin, hair, bones, and joints, etc., but from what I read, my memory issues were likely an effect of the chemotherapy (Taxol in my case) at my age. If youre pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Arimidex. I even started out slow knowing that this would happen. In addition, after stopping the meds, although I definitely felt better, there are lingering effects and frankly, I don't think anyone has any idea if I will ever be free of those side effects. The names in parentheses are brand names. I had fatigue but that seems to have faded away too. MedHelp is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. My BMI has dropped by 2.6 and is now within normal limits for my height. Any of the mild or serious side effects listed in the sections above may occur after 5 years of treatment with Arimidex. I made it to a little over nine years. Paleo, keto, low-fat regardless of the diet plan, it won't be effective if you're not eating nutritious food. Soooooooooooooo, is this all in my head? I know I am going to have to change my eating habits because I am already obese. I was already recommending #acupuncture based on prior results of S1200 (https://t.co/saffgzH4Lw). Is it related to stopping? 3. Women were considered high risk if they had two or more blood relatives with breast cancer, a mother or sister who developed breast cancer before the age of 50, or a mother or sister who had breast cancer in both breasts. I realized I was no longer experiencing quite as much joint pain, which for me, had been one of my worst side effects. This medication has not been studied for use in females who havent gone through menopause. Well , I will start on my arimides in a few days and see what happens. I hope I am like you and not gain weight like you did while taking Arimidex. Anastrozole is also used to treat advanced breast cancer that has grown or spread after tamoxifen treatment. Carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve-related conditions, Sleeplessness (it can take months to resolve bad sleep habits). Is Taking a Break from Your Aromatase Inhibitor Med a Good Idea? I will say that the med can make you tired so I switched from taking it in the morning to taking it at bedtime and that really helped me. But this side effect was more commonly reported in those taking the medication for advanced breast cancer. Support you can use. If he wants to eat fried foods on a regular basis, he's on his own. Although rare, its possible for Arimidex to cause cardiotoxicity or liver toxicity. If youre a man and taking an AI med, whats your experience been like? I have experienced all of them but they were very mild and quickly faded away. Taking this med foralmost 7yrs. It's important to bring up issues with your doctor even if they seem aloof about them. I don'tfeel like an old woman any more. No new side effects have been reported in clinical trials after stopping Arimidex. Females* who have not gone through menopause. If you have coronary artery disease, also known as ischemic heart disease, tell your doctor before starting Arimidex. Examples of the long-term side effects of Arimidex include: Its possible to develop these side effects from taking Arimidex for a long time or at any time during treatment. These are just a few of the side effects Arimidex may cause. No one seems to know. I hope this is some encouragement. If you have any worries or questions about taking or stopping anastrozole, you can call us free on 0808 800 6000 to talk through your concerns. Never disregard the medical advice of your physician or health professional, or delay in seeking such advice, because of something you read on this Site. I was osteopenic (pre-cursor to osteoporosis) prior to BC, and diagnosed with osteoporosis along with my IDC. Arimidex can cause bone pain. Nancy, you are so great for starting this blog and helping so many people. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. But the biggest indicator to whether or not someone will maintain their weight loss, Dr. Grunvald said, is if they have a . Help this goal by becoming gradually more active and you may lose some weight and you will definitely feel better. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. Coping with the side effects of anastrozole If you like this post, please share it. Back, chest, muscle, stomach, or pelvic pain, Carpal tunnel syndrome (a nerve condition that affects your wrist, causing pain, tingling, or numbness), Osteoporosis (brittle bones) and fractures, Swelling in the ankles and feet (peripheral edema), Skin reactions, such as lesions, ulcers or blisters, Severe allergic reactions with swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. I have experienced sore muscles and joints as well but persist with walking and Pilates. It is a place to learn, discuss and share experiences and information. Oncologists dont discuss with you what could happen if you get a vertebral or hip fracture and how serious that injury could be. I have gained 8 pounds. Christina, I don't blame you one bit for feeling cheated, mad and sad. Luckily, you should only experience more severe exhaustion for a limited time after stopping your injections. @sandrajo @whr @sparklegram, you may also be interested in the comments in this related discussion: * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. So at the end, I wonder net net how much bone do I keep? Once you finish your treatment your liver will usually go back to normal. Your specialist will sometimes check the strength and thickness (density) of your bone with a scan before or shortly after you start taking anastrozole. Arimidex (anastrozole) Medical News Today. I started with 1000 and she upped me to 2000 and shall be moving toward 5,000 in a few days. You may wish to discuss this with your treatment team or GP, or ask the pharmacist who dispenses your prescriptions if they can supply you with anastrozole from the manufacturer you feel suits you the best. Coping with the side effects of anastrozole, 4. It comes in a strength of 1 milligram (mg). Now I walk 30 minutes a day to YouTube walking videos. Do not skip meals. Cardiotoxicity is damage that can occur to the heart that may affect how well it works. This may also be due to vaginal dryness. Nothing seems to work and she's very unhappy . Last updated on April 26, 2022. This slows the growth of tumors that require estrogen to grow. This will usually be from a group of drugs called bisphosphonates. I hope I do not blow up like a balloon.LOL. You may have some hair loss or thinning while taking anastrozole. Before you start taking Arimidex, talk with your doctor about its side effects. If you have diarrhoea, its important to drink enough fluids. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is pressure on a nerve in your wrist. The nurse from Blue Group sent me an email today saying that there are no withdrawal symptoms after stopping this drug. My sisters were also on drugs in the same family (one on aromasin and one on femara) and they did not gain weight. I wanted to share my experience as encouragement that it can be done, but for me to achieve results, it has definitely taken a lot of work. ), it's unlikely you will lose any weight because you stop taking your meds. Sometimes, I dont think this is recognized and treated as such. 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. Never disregard the medical advice of your physician or health professional, or delay in seeking such advice, because of something you read on this Site. Im convinced the drugs make weight loss harder and weight gain easier. The growth of many cancers of the breast is stimulated or maintained by estrogens. How long do side effects last after stopping Arimidex? For example, they may recommend taking an OTC pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help ease this side effect. When given before surgery to shrink a tumor, its called neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. My experience so far is my oncologist refers to me to the metabolic bone specialist, and the bone specialist refers me to the oncologist! Dizziness. I have know idea how to work it out just by doing any kind of exercise. Five-year adherence was 74.6 percent for Arimidex and 77.0 percent for placebo, which is not significantly different. When are the effects of Arimidex finally gone? Higher levels of liver enzymes may indicate liver damage drug work. ) or breastfeeding or. 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