If you already have high cholesterol, taking Arimidex may make your cholesterol levels even worse. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. If you have any liver or heart conditions, tell your doctor before starting Arimidex. I was on Zoladex for several months and have now chosen to stop having the injections. 9% of those taking Arimidex had weight gain. Select one or more newsletters to continue. Since doctors say that Tamoxifen does NOT cause weight gain (in the U.S. they say it can cause you to lose weight!? You should not try to lose more than one or two pounds per week because this . It does make me sleepy, so like CC, I take it at night. 41% of respondents noted relief from side effect management strategies that were tried. It is important to me to be able to exercise every day and feel well. Almost everyone that I have chatted with has had terrible, SE with this. Melatonin and Breast Cancer: Is it Safe and Can it Help? Considered myself an exerciser, but I really wasn't. You might want to read and/or download, Endocrine Therapy: The Ultimate Guide to Managing & Making Decisions about Your Aromatase Inhibitor Medication. Mild pain relief such as paracetamol may help with headaches. This medicine interferes with the production of estrogen in the body. You may have menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, sweating, sleep disturbance, vaginal irritation such as dryness and itching, and reduced libido (sex drive). At least they didnt for me. Relaxation exercises can also be helpful. You may develop a skin rash while taking anastrozole. 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. Lymphedema Risk: Are Hot Tubs & Saunas Bad Ideas? All three trials demonstrate that weight gain occurs primarily within the first 12 months of active treatment in a subset of patients. Significant baseline predictors for gaining more than 5 kg of weight after 12 months of follow-up were: being younger than 60 years old, smoking and mastectomy. Your doctor will likely monitor your cholesterol levels throughout your treatment with Arimidex. Please remember this blog is never a place to get medical advice. We disclaim all responsibility for the professional qualifications and licensing of, and services provided by, any physician or other health providers posting on or otherwise referred to on this Site and/or any Third Party Site. If youre male and your doctor has recommended that you take Arimidex, talk with them about the drugs possible side effects. Specifically, its prescribed in some cases to treat the following: The active ingredient in Arimidex is anastrozole. When given after surgery, its called adjuvant hormonal therapy. Thank you, Dr. Attai, for listening to us and thank you for heading up that survey. How soon do the side effects of Arimidex start? When I finally got on here I did a lot of reading different post and learned alot about different people and the inspirition I got from everyone is unbelieveable. This weight gain can be even greater when it occurs suddenly as a result of breast cancer treatment. I also now have osteoporosis, so I take calcium, vitamin D, and Boniva. Calorie counting. Watch on. 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. (Arimidex). Exercising on a regular basis, about 150 minutes per week (unless engaging in aerobic exercise, in which case 75 minutes per week may be adequate) . Thinking about that is part of the reason I stayed on mine. 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. 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. I started taking anastrozole in May 2018. Available for Android and iOS devices. Aromasin is a kind of endocrine therapy . Your doctor may monitor your liver more often throughout treatment, or they may recommend a different medication for you. @sandrajo @whr @sparklegram, you may also be interested in the comments in this related discussion: Your doctor may monitor your bone mineral density or may recommend a different treatment option for you. They may recommend that you try a different medication. For example, they may recommend taking an OTC pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help ease this side effect. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Arimidex for early breast cancer treatment include: Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Arimidex for advanced or metastatic breast cancer treatment include: In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. This medication may be used by males to decrease their estrogen levels if theyre taking other drugs that increase estrogen. You may find your side effects reduce after stopping anastrozole, for others they may continue after treatment finishes. Arimidex is the most common hormone therapy drug taken by post-menopausal breast cancer survivors. Blood clots can be harmful but are treatable so its important to report symptoms as soon as possible. Studies didnt look at the occurrence of side effects when Arimidex was used with other medications to treat breast cancer. If you have osteoporosis, you may already have weak bones or bones that are more likely to fracture. There are no known interactions between alcohol and Arimidex. Now I'm experiencing some weight gain. I have been consistent. Nonetheless, Ive been able to keep it off. This does not change the effectiveness of the treatment. I wish everyone health and happiness going forward and to seek more than one opinion if necessary. #ASCO21. If you havent gone through menopause, talk with your doctor about the best treatment option for you. Using a wrist splint can help. Learn more. I push myself to do what ever I have to get done . Some of the tablets may have different additional ingredients (for example preservatives). The same goes for low-carb if you're eating bacon every day, says . Learn how CBCs are used in the treatment of breast cancer. A physiotherapist may also be able to suggest exercises to help. I dont say this to diminish an early stagers experience. I'll be going back on the Arimidex on Sunday. Those who lose weight slowly, by eating less and exercising more, tend to keep their lost weight off. Let that sink in. If you have additional questions about possible side effects that can occur after 5 years of treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. It's possible that you may continue to have side effects from Femara even after you stop taking it. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. Khosrow-Khavar F, et al. This will usually be from a group of drugs called bisphosphonates. Your side effect notes can include things such as: Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help your doctor learn more about how Arimidex affects you. I am new at this website and just now learning to tackle the process of do's and dont's. But its possible that Arimidex, when used with other treatments for cancer, may increase the side effects you have. Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. So give it a try. When you stop taking your injections, your body will need to recalibrate its levels of testosterone independently. It's not worth it. Cancer-related fatigue is extreme tiredness that doesnt go away with rest or sleep. The response to that survey was notable, with 2,353 women and 54 men responding. Arimidex is only approved to be used in females whove gone through menopause (stopped having periods). These are just a few of the side effects Arimidex may cause. If you have a liver condition, taking Arimidex may increase your risk of liver problems or worsening of your liver condition. Help this goal by becoming gradually more active and you may lose some weight and you will definitely feel better. Sounds like you made the best decision for you. What do you do with grief at five (or more) years out? Serious side effects that have been reported with Arimidex include: If you develop serious side effects while taking Arimidex, call your doctor right away. It can usually be relieved with mild pain relief like paracetamol or an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen. I was dx with stage 2, multifocal DCIS, HER2+ and estrogen positive 6.5 cm mass, in February. Some people find anastrozole produced by one manufacturer seems to suit them better than another. 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. If you have headaches from taking Arimidex, talk with your doctor about the best way to treat them. Speaking up is how things change and improve. And your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/arimidex. Common side effects Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, low in saturated fats. What happens when you stop taking Arimidex? High cholesterol. Registered Office: Fifth Floor, Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London EC3N 1DY. All rights reserved. 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. I gained weight on Tamoxifen but did not gain weight on Arimidex. Many side effects of Arimidex will improve within a couple of weeks of stopping Arimidex; however, some may persist long term. What's it like six months post DIEP flap surgery? Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. Sheri, You're very welcome. You may also experience side effects caused by other treatments or individual circumstance, such as the menopause. Side effects after stopping anastrozole. Use of the terms male and female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. I have to admit, I've gained some weight, but I don't think it is due to the 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. Some physical therapy places will let you work out there for a monthly fee after they're finished with their sessions with you. Arimidex can cause bone pain. Will you feel better after stopping your aromatase inhibitor medication and if so, when? Its also important to keep active and eat a high-fibre diet to avoid constipation. Although rare, its possible for Arimidex to cause cardiotoxicity or liver toxicity. Others, such as lack of energy, nausea, and vomiting, and a headache go away within a couple of days to a few weeks. For more information about Arimidex, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article. I think it is important to do all we can to fight the cancer and Arimidex seems to be a powerful weapon. Do not skip meals. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. I am done with aromatase inhibitors! Im fearing hair loss/thinning might be permanent. The half life of Arimidex is 30 to 60 hours. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support, practical information, and answers. #bcsm @DrDawnHershman https://t.co/34qptPobo0. Stopping smoking and doing regular weight-bearing exercise can also help keep your bones strong. I've done personal training, nutritional counseling, meal prepping, cardio, HIIT workouts, and my blood work is all in the green. If you have a history of high cholesterol you may want to discuss this with your specialist or GP. 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. My sisters were also on drugs in the same family (one on aromasin and one on femara) and they did not gain weight. However, I decided to stop a wee bit early. Endocrine Therapy: The Ultimate Guide to Managing & Making Decisions about Your Aromatase Inhibitor Medication, The Dark Side of Aromatase Inhibitors Part 1. More Items Apr 26, 2022 Can You Take A Break From Anastrozole? The intent, of course, is to prevent recurrence. Like any drug,anastrozolecan cause side effects. Source for above: Takeaways from American Society of Clinical Oncology 2021 (ASCO) via Dr. Susan Love Foundation. I mean, really slowly, but I can nudge things along a wee bit easier. Some side effects are mild while others are more severe. Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. I even started out slow knowing that this would happen. Soooooooooooooo, is this all in my head? It can be difficult to know whether this is because of the medication or other reasons such as menopausal symptoms or dealing with the diagnosis of cancer. My genetic testing was all negative and my margins post lumpectomy were clean. They can assess you and offer advice on how to manage your energy levels. I too just finished taking Anastrazole after years and having incredible fatigue. The worst side effect I had was hot flashes, but I was undergoing radiation and it was a particularly hot summer here. Also, it really can increase joint pain which could make you not want to exercise as much and increase weight. It does this by inhibiting the enzyme aromatase, which converts these androgens into estrogen. Breast lumps and visual changes to the breasts or nipples are more frequent signs of breast, Aggressive, hard-to-treat breast cancer types such as inflammatory breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer are the most likely to recur. Medically reviewed by Carmen Fookes, BPharm. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. If your bones are already beginning to show signs of thinning or if you already have osteoporosis, you may be given another drug to increase bone density and strength. Especially those newly diagnosed need to hear that indeed there are well documented side effects, and its not just you. I also walked 2 miles daily at that time. Many Side Effects Of Arimidex Will Improve Within A Couple Of Weeks Of Stopping Arimidex; However, Some May Persist Long Term. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. When Someone Dies, How Do You React to the Phrase, She Got Her Wings? If you have diarrhoea, its important to drink enough fluids. Arimidex reduces the risk of breast cancer by 53% after 7 years follow up and 50% after 10.9 years follow up. 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. I made it to a little over nine years. Have you at any time been on an estrogen-blocking medication as part of your cancer treatment and if so, what side effects have you experienced? Females* who have not gone through menopause. I am just now experiencing some dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite.