Arimidex therapy
Common Questions and Answers about Arimidex therapy
arimidex
Does Arimidex have to actually kill you vs. maiming you for life, in order to be pulled off the market? At 58, I may need a hip replacement because I took Arimidex for two years! DeeDee
This discussion is related to <a href='http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/260593'>Arimidex Long Term Side Effects</a>.
It is the hormone that is recommended for women with ER/PR positive breast cancer who are premenopausal or postmenopausal. Arimidex (or other aromatase inhibitors) is another class of hormone therapy that also blocks estrogen to breast tissue but these drugs are only offered to women who are postmenopausal. Both tamoxifen and armidex only address the ER/PR status and do not have any impact on CerbB2.
I even was in physical therapy for two months because I thought it was me but no it was the drug..
ve completed 4 cycles of Taxotere and Cytoxan. I have been on Arimidex for 4 months. What might be my chances of a distant metastasis? I have pre-osteopenia per a bone density. My oncologist said I might consider Zometa infusions which would be given every 6 months. Does it only help prevent bone metastasis or other mets as well? I know the research is still out on this but an early study indicated a greater than 30% reduction in risk of bone mets. That seems substantial.
Vaginal bleeding which is not too common does sometimes occur during the first few months of Arimidex therapy; especially after switching from one of the other hormonal treatments such as Tamoxifen. It this continues for much longer it would be wise to ck. with your Physician regarding the problem. Regards ....
When I say that I tried Arimidex, Tamoxifin, and Femera..... Arimidex made my joints so stiff and sore that I couldn't even walk without extreme pain. So I was put on Tamoxifin and within 3 months my WBC dropped to 1.3 which is one of the rare side effects. At that time I was changed to Femera, shortly after that I had vaginal bleeding so they did a D/C and 2 weeks later I started bleeding again.
That could very likely be the reason ... if I were you I would certainly bring it up when you go for your ck. up. If that was his recommendation and you were OK with it initially I can't see any reason to have ask before. Personally I would like to know the reasoning though .... as no doubt you would too, so ask away. Best Wishes for your ck. up.
PR then the hormone therapy is needed to prevent a recurrence.If you are post menopausal you will need to take Arimidex,if not then Tamoxifen will be the one to take.Many women dislike taking those anti estrogen medication..(including me) but this is required to give us a better chance not to restart new cancerous tumors that grow because of the estrogen that our body produces.Of course nobody can force you to take this medication,but if I were you I wouldn't take this risk.
The purpose of this post is for other breast cancer survivors on Arimidex - looking for experiences with joint pain. I had chemotherapy and radiation therapy in 2006 for a stage 2 invasive lobular carcinoma. I was on Tamoxifen from mid-2006 until late 2008 - when I had an oophorectomy (prophylactic). I had tolerated the Tamoxifen very well for two years - few side effects. I was switched to Arimidex in late 2008 and have been on it since. I am a pretty healthy (other than the BC) - 52 year old.
ve been in physical therapy since October 2013 which has helped me tremendously. Now after two months on Arimidex I am experiencing vaginal dryness that is quickly getting worse. I have spoke to my nurse and have just started an over the counter platinum silicone lubricant to try first. I've been told about the estrogen cream but we are trying this first. Does this side effect get worse? Will l be able to have a sexual relationship ever?
I had an ooferectomy almost 2 weeks ago as a precaution, as my mother died of ovarian cancer at the age of 59. I felt great until I started Arimidex on Tuesday, and now I feel horrible. I feel constantly tired and weak and my mind is not alert, I'm having trouble focusing on simple puzzles. I've also been emotionally fragile since Tuesday, crying or on the verge of crying. Will this pass?
Last week the doctor had me switch to Arimidex as I had not had a period for one year. After taking it for a couple of days I was not feeling very well. I was having stomach discomfort, irratibility and swelling in my hands. I received a call from the doctor's office telling me not to take the Arimidex and return to Tamoxifen as my hormone levels suggested that I wasn't in menopause quite yet.
How do these two drugs work differently?
2nd I am trying to be on an estrogen blocker as it was estrogen positive, currently trying Arimidex as fumara gave me too much pain have you tried these drugs right after chemo and with any luck. We are also looking at it as preventive for breast cancer. I am 54 years old and doing well.
Can you explain why intraperitoneal therapy is not an option for pts who have a colostomy?
I have stage IV ovarian ca, had optimal debulking surgery in 2006 and taxol/carbo, followed by a 7-month remission, then a recurrence. Beginning in Nov of 2007 I went through Doxil, Gemzar, Etoposide, and Arimidex.
I've just begun a cytoxan/Avastin regimen.
Dear madwilson, Hairloss is not a usual side effect associated with Arimidex. Arimidex is an aromatase inhibitor. This means it blocks the enzyme aromatase (found in the body's muscle, skin, breast and fat), which is used to convert androgens (hormones produced by the adrenal glands) into estrogen. In the absence of estrogen, tumors dependent on this hormone for growth will shrink. For more information regarding this drug and side effects you can check out the website chemocare.com.
Hello. I am taking Arimidex (dx May 2007, IDC, 1 cm., grade 3, negative lymph nodes; had lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy, chemo, radiation; I was 54 and perimenopausal at time of dx and chemo put me in menopause.) I also now occasionally consult a holistic MD (referred by my oncologist) for nutritional advice.
Please inform me of side effects of Arimidex. Also confirm whether clinical tests proved that arimidex really prevent cancer from returning. Recently I had a lumpectomy. The cancer was confined to the lump in my breast and did not spread to the limph nodes. I had a serie of 30 radiation treatments. My bone density is deteriorating, thus I would like to know whether I have to take osteobond 70mg weekly. Will arimidex contribute to loss of bone density?
Thank you very much.
Susan.
With respect to hormonal therapies that suppress or block the action of estrogen, there is a study called ATAC (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination). Updated results were presented at the latest San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (December 2007). I read about it in the Women & Cancer Magazine (Spring 2008, pg. 88). I suggest those undergoing hormonal therapy to look into the convenience of combining the medicine, to benefit from both of them.
Been on Arimidex 26 months. Having numbness in hands and feet. Oncologist doesn't think it's related to Arimidex. Anyone have this problem while on this drug?
I just completed 5 years on arimidex and have been asked to be part of a study and go on it for another 5 years. Has cancer reoccurred in patients while they have been on arimidex, not due to the drug, but due to the cancer. In other words, does taking arimidex prevent cancer from reoccurring while a patient is on it?
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.
Armidex may not prolong his growth period much longer with such an advanced bone age, it is a medication used to block estrogen effect, also used in breast cancer, there are concerns with the liver but if monitored carefully most have few side effects. However with a bone age of 17 1/2 growth is near completion. I would work with the peds endocrinologist and talk with them to discuss your concerns, plan of care and monitoring.
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