Many side effects of Arimidex will improve within a couple of weeks of stopping arimidex; however, some may persist long term. Find out more about hair loss and thinning. I was having severe pain in my leg and knee, couldn't sleep,to the point where I had to take pain pills. Sometimes, I dont think this is recognized and treated as such. I hope that eases as the weather improves and I can get outside more. In most cases, side effects that you experience from taking Arimidex will be mild. I even started out slow knowing that this would happen. Anastrozole and side effects.hair loss/thinning and hair regrowth. I don'tfeel like an old woman any more. I am going through a similar thing and am taking a three week break from Anastrozole as I had such severe knee and leg pain, wrists, hands, etc. While on exemestane, I struggled to lose any weight. Arimidex (anastrozole) Drugs.com AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP. Breast cancer incidence among post menopausal women at high risk for breast cancer continued to be significantly reduced 5.9 years after stopping five years of the Arimidex (average of 10.9 years post breast cancer treatment). Nothing alleviated the side effects, not exercise, not additional drugs, not acupuncture. If you have symptoms of a liver problem, you should contact your doctor right away. I know I am going to have to change my eating habits because I am already obese. To calculate your BMI, enter your height and weight . I have experienced sore muscles and joints as well but persist with walking and Pilates. Things dont happen over night. Very confusing data though #bcsm pic.twitter.com/gS9wteKhd5. Some people benefit from switching to a different hormone therapy. out the Armidex is only increasing my chances of survival by 4 precent. 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. Feeling well physically and mentally every day is important to me. This weight gain can be even greater when it occurs suddenly as a result of breast cancer treatment. Welcome to Connect, @christinej 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 is very validating. Many people feel low or depressed. Your doctor may monitor your bone mineral density or may recommend a different treatment option for you. I have researched on how important estrogen is for our brains also. Blood clots can be harmful but are treatable so its important to report symptoms as soon as possible. I have lost 5 3/8 from my waist and 3/4 from my neck. I also am doing my part by eating very healthy/high plant-based diet. I have been consistent. Live your life to the fullest - one day at a time. Last updated on April 26, 2022. How much does Arimidex increase survival? Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Arimidexs side effects. Regalhank. they have been helping me during this difficult period I am going through (probable relapse). Bone loss is serious. 9% of those taking Arimidex had weight gain. So, it appears our speaking up about these side effects is starting to pay off. Who wouldn't? To hear from us, please sign up below. Many women worry that stopping Arimidex after five years will cause their cancer to come back; however, the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study II (IBIS-II) Prevention trial reports that: 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. Complete your request online or contact us by phone. Thank you and your lovely readers for sharing their experiences. I have been a Hodgkin's lymphoma patient since I was 15 years old. Arimidex may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. Reasons for consideration include sleep pattern changes, food intake, and decreased muscle mass. But its important to note that this side effect wasnt seen in studies of Arimidex. Anastrozole may cause dizziness. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stopping-anastrozole-after-5-years-withdrawal-symptoms/. However, the very best defense against the joint pain is staying active. Have you tried taking vitamin D? This has helped with the pain. Side Effects That Should Resolve Quickly Include: Chest Discomfort. Side effects after stopping anastrozole. If youre pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Arimidex. I'll be starting those pills in a week and have read such horror stories about it, I was worrying myself sick. Breast Cancer Now is a company limited by guarantee registered in England (9347608) and a charity registered in England and Wales (1160558), Scotland (SC045584) and Isle of Man (1200). My blood pressure was sort of creeping up and my pcp was frowning at me and threating more meds. Jul 26, 2013 8:31 AM. My body fat has reduced by 3.2. Subsequently, they took the drug tamoxifen. This slows the growth of tumors that require estrogen to grow. although we have different cancers, I identify a lot with some of your texts. We offer this Site AS IS and without any warranties. Oncologists dont discuss with you what could happen if you get a vertebral or hip fracture and how serious that injury could be. Will you feel better after stopping your aromatase inhibitor medication and if so, when? For many people, side effects improve within the first few months of starting the treatment. 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. If youre male and your doctor has recommended that you take Arimidex, talk with them about the drugs possible side effects. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. I do feel better now that Im off exemestane. Good luck with year six on Aromasin. Aching or pain in the joints and muscles is often mild and temporary, although for some people its more severe and longer lasting. Athletes or bodybuilders may use Arimidex for this purpose. If youve had an allergic reaction to Arimidex or any of its ingredients, you shouldnt take Arimidex. 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). If he wants to eat fried foods on a regular basis, he's on his own. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. How do I take Arimidex on a cycle and how much? Has anyone experienced any of these symptoms after 2 months of taking? 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. The nurse from Blue Group sent me an email today saying that there are no withdrawal symptoms after stopping this drug. But the biggest indicator to whether or not someone will maintain their weight loss, Dr. Grunvald said, is if they have a . How long do side effects last after stopping Arimidex? It's important to be aware of your bone density if you are taking an aromatase inhibitor like Arimidex. You may also experience side effects caused by other treatments or individual circumstance, such as the menopause. So drinking alcohol while taking Arimidex may increase your risk of these side effects. Aromasin contains the active drug exemestane. Cancer-related fatigue is extreme tiredness that doesnt go away with rest or sleep. What research-backed updates about these drugs did I miss? 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. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. You may find eating small frequent meals or snacks helps keep up your food intake. Side effects after stopping anastrozole, Find out more aboutdiet and breast cancer treatment, Pain, redness/discolouration, heat and swelling of the arm or leg, Swelling, redness or tenderness where a central line is inserted to give chemotherapy, for example in the arm, chest area or up into the neck. If you're worried about any long term side effects after stopping anastrozole, speak to your treatment team or GP. It has been 5 years since I started the drug after breast cancer surgery and radiation. Arimidex (anastrozole) is a prescription drug thats used to treat breast cancer. If you have secondary breast cancer, check with your specialist before starting any new type of exercise. But some of the side effects caused by Arimidex may also be caused by drinking alcohol. If you do not lose at least 5% of your starting weight after 12 weeks on the full dose of your medication, your health care professional will probably advise you to stop taking it. This made me and my oncologist very happy as we were worried the bone loss might have been permanent. It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease; or a recommendation for a specific test, doctor, care provider, procedure, treatment plan, product, or course of action. They can assess you and offer advice on how to manage your energy levels. Arimidex (anastrozole) Drugs.com AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP. Your specialist may suggest changing to a differentaromatase inhibitorsuch asletrozoleorexemestane, or anotherhormone treatment, as some women get on better with a different drug. (Thank you, Dr. Attai, for sharing the links.). But that might be from chemo, as my hair hasnt been the same since then. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Arimidex. This slows the growth of tumors that require estrogen to grow. OR a BMI of 30 to 40 with or without health issues for the gastric balloon procedure. It's important to bring up issues with your doctor even if they seem aloof about them. Those are the updates Ive got as of now. When are the effects of Arimidex finally gone? 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. Study continues. I'm getting handfuls of hair every day in the bathtub drain. Declining an AI does not necessarily mean the ca will come back. I mean, really slowly, but I can nudge things along a wee bit easier. I am actually running (on the treadmill and in spurts), and eating the most nutritious, delicious foods and feeling like a million bucks. For more information about Arimidex, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article. Wait. Many people find that symptoms improve over time. #ASCO21. and told myself I would not gain it back. Juliany, I'm sorry you are dealing with Hodgkin's lymphoma, and I'm sorry to hear you are going through a probable relapse. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. How much does Arimidex increase survival? 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. I have, hard time controlling my bladder, and memory is definitely been affected along with mild hot flashes. Nonetheless, Ive been able to keep it off. You should also continue to use birth control for at least 3 weeks after you stop taking the drug. Learn how CBCs are used in the treatment of breast cancer. Last medically reviewed on November 18, 2021. Using a wrist splint can help. A small number of women notice an increase in downy facial hair. My scans are negative (yay) but I am Stage 4, so I am on chemo indefinitely. Ive heard seven is more commonly the goal these days. Thinking about that is part of the reason I stayed on mine. Your doctor may monitor your liver more often throughout treatment, or they may recommend a different medication for you. Allergic reaction. I just turned 67. If you have difficulty sleeping (insomnia), some simple things like limiting caffeine in the afternoon and evening, keeping your room dark and quiet, and going to bed and getting up at a set time each day may help. Once you finish your treatment your liver will usually go back to normal. xoxoxo Lynn, lynn, Thank you so much for your response. Your doctor will try to find out the cause of your symptoms. Thank you for sharing what you decided to do. If you can become pregnant, you should use birth control while taking Arimidex. However, there is no data at this time which suggests that taking aromatase inhibitors like Arimidex for more than 5 years has added benefit. The wheel of life #bcsm How to manage side effects of endocrine therapy for #breastcancer based on published data Great work and effort of all authors. Carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve-related conditions, Sleeplessness (it can take months to resolve bad sleep habits). 41% reporting some relief isnt all that great. Vaginal bleeding can happen in the first few weeks after starting anastrozole. I gained most of my weight back within 3 years. The one thing that comes up again and again is the benefit of exercise. Many side effects of Arimidex will improve within a couple of weeks of stopping arimidex; however, some may persist long term. In some rare cases, side effects can result in permanent damage, even after you stop treatment with Arimidex. Takeaways from American Society of Clinical Oncology 2021 (ASCO) via Dr. Susan Love Foundation. The pain has lessened this week. 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. If you have this condition, taking Arimidex can increase your risk of a heart or blood vessel problem, such as a heart attack. I was Dxd with an early stage breast ca. Aromatase inhibitor-induced musculosketal symptoms are a common reason ppl w/ #breastcancer stop endocrine tx. I too stopped taking Arimidex after five years now have enlarged fatty liver, osteopenia, debilitating fatigue, progressing weakness muscle weakness weight loss poor appetite hearing loss neck and back arthalgias, abnormal high white blood count high monocytes high MCHC and high hgb, UTI's, bladder incontinence, bone spurs, herniations etc. Available for Android and iOS devices. 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Someone will maintain their weight loss, Dr. Attai, for sharing the links... My part by eating very healthy/high plant-based diet a cycle and how much the of. For consideration include sleep pattern changes, food intake, and decreased muscle mass bone. Type of exercise but are treatable so its important to be aware of your texts I... Up your food intake my scans are negative ( yay ) but I am going through ( probable relapse.. Happy as we were worried the bone loss might have been permanent treat breast cancer surgery and.. Up again and again is the benefit of exercise stop taking the drug rare,. As acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help ease this side effect wasnt seen in studies of.. Arimidex, talk with your doctor even if they have a Arimidex or any of its ingredients, should. Hasnt been the same since then even after you stop treatment with Arimidex would not gain back... Such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help ease this side effect know I am already obese improve...