arimidex and tamoxifen comparisons

Hi, I too was taking Tamoxifen and then was switched to Arimidex and then Aromasen. I am now back on Tamoxifen. I had so many problems with the other meds. I am very sensative to meds and the later 2 did not work. I have a few problems with Tamoxifen but it is better than the others for me. My Dr. said that it is not a problem being in "forced" menopause and the fact that I had a hysterectomy as well. One thing we always have to remember is that we are our own advocate...

I have been on arimidex for 9 months having switched from tamoxifen. For the past five weeks, I have been bleeding and appear to be having a period. Does anyone relate to this? I am overweight, stressed, and too busy to exercise in case there is a connection. Any experience out there with this?

Hi, I found this information for you.I am also taking Arimidex and of course I am very interested in knowing more about this medication.My breast surgeon told me also that by taking Arimidex reduces the development of new breast cancers by 50 per cent. ----------------------------------------- Arimidex most effective in breast cancer study.

I learned that some weman experienced elevated blood pressure and blood clots while on Arimidex. And Arimidex is known to cause high blood pressure and blood clots. How do know for sure that Arimidex is the cause of my high blood pressure?

ve recently started Arimidex 5 days ago and again noticed dry eyes and my vision does not seem as clear once again. I have to believe that it's the Arimidex and Tamoxifin.

Some people have much more side effects and some have far less. A patient could always try tamoxifen or Arimidex and see how it goes before ruling it out.

Jim -- Thank you for your reply and for sharing your knowledge about Tamoxifen and Arimidex. Your comments in general are very helpful. God bless you and your wife.

Hi - after I finished chemo and starting rads in 2003 I was prescribed tamoxifen, took it for 2 months and my Oncologist changed me to Arimidex (one of the aromatose inhibitors) which I think has a 50% better prognosis for non recurrence than the old "gold standard" tamoxifen. I was thrilled, as it had just come on to the market here in England. However, 4 yrs down the line, I stopped it 4 weeks ago, due to severe bone pain (hips, hands and feet) and the pain has gone!

I have been on arimidex for about 2 months (since Feb. 2009), switched from tamoxifen after 1 year on tamoxifen. My white blood cell count the month before I started arimidex (Jan.) was 4.2. When I had a blood test more than 2 weeks ago (April 8), my WBC count was 3.3. Could this be a side effect of arimidex? FYI -- I was diagnosed in May 2007: IDC, stage 1, 1cm., e.r. +, grade 3, negative lymph nodes. I had chemo (1 infusion TC, 6 infusions CMF) Aug. 2007 to Jan.

went if ever can i expect my pain to go away, since going through chemo and starting tamoxifen, i've been having bad pain and stiffness in hands and feet. medication vicodin help some, also some stiffiness in knees. my doctor has no answers and keep try different medications that is not working. please have some anwers for me . pain started after taking tamoxifen in april, stopped chemo in march. what can i do or take to relief the pain. thank you.

I have tried Arimidex, Tamoxifen, and Femera with no luck. Now the dr would like to do a total hysterectomy. I am 45 and stopped having periods 3 years ago. Is this beneficial or not?

I am opting for the Arimidex for a month and see how my ca125 trends... and besides it gives me a month off of chemo... which i can use. Thanks for your comments ...

I was dx with IDC and intermediate DCIS in Jan 2003 - 2 cm non palpable tumour and 3/18 positive lymph nodes. Had WLE and total axillary removal. 6 x FEC and 25 rads. 2 months on tamoxifen, then Onc switched me to Arimidex in Feb 2004. I have had increasing debilitating severe pain in left hip, left foot and both hands. DEXA scan showed increased bone density loss to that of a DEXA scan done before bc (ordered by gastro due to 30+ yrs of steroids).

She told me that her oncologist did not want her off of it and until she told him she was not going to take it anymore,he then switched her to tamoxifen and her legs are fine now but it took time. I am on the tamoxifen, it has side effects also and a possiblity of getting uterus cancer but unless you have a history of cancer chances are very slim.Try talking with your oncologist again and tell him that you are not taking this drug and to switch you to one that you can take.

Estrogen and progesterone positive. If anyone can tell me something about Arimidex and the above side effects and osteopenia and whether or not I need to start a bisphosphonates please let me know.

He is the only onco who will give me anti estrogens instead of chemo. I have low grade cancer and Tamoxifen, Arimidex, etc work great for me. My CA125 gets higher with chemo. Lately my doctor has been forgetting my medicines and things that have happened in the past. I take Tamoxifen 2 years, and when it wears off, I change to Arimidex. Even when my abdomen enlarged greatly, he kept me on Tamoxifen. His assistant has changed from a trained helper to the lowliest person in the office.

My med/onc gave me a prescription for Tamoxifen or he said I could just do nothing for now. Even with a twin and a mother with breast cancer, I have decided to go just the watchful waiting route for a while. It's a personal decision. Just wanted you to know that like Dr. Goodman said, this is something they are now prescribing for OVCA as well as BC, and I still may end up giving it a try. Best wishes...

Hi Everyone, After 3 months of Femara I suddenly developed carpel tunnel syndrome. My entire right arm became numb in the middle of the night; I thought I was having a stroke or heart attack. I called Novartis & they sent me the requested 9 pages of info about musculoskeletal side effects, the most common being carpel tunnel & trigger finger. I saw a hand specialist who provided hand braces and said I would eventually need the surgery.

Hi again, First a caution/disclaimer: I am not a doctor, so please don't use any information or opinions I offer to try to convice your wife's oncologist to alter his plan! (They really hate it when someone over the Internet thinks s/he knows better than the treating physicians what is best for their patients, and I don't blame them a bit!

I know that the use of Tamoxifen can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 50% in patients considered to be at high risk. But if one has had a mastectomy and chemotherapy, and there were zero nodes affected/involved, is there really any benefit to taking Tamoxifen? Right now the side effects are just making me downright cranky (and yes, I am on Effexor) and honestly the body changes courtesy of forced menopause are not helping the attitude any.

Arimidex and tamoxifen comparisons

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