Arimidex side effect?

flmd · New User Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 2

Hi, I am a 55 yo 1.5 years out from bilateral mastectomy(one side prophylactically) for Stage 1 min invasive ductal Ca with neg sentinal node and neg 9 other nodes. I had 4 rounds of cytoxan and adriamycin and 10 months of Tamoxifen(this was discontinued at 10 months because of severe leg cramps). I was then switched over to Arimidex that I have been on for 3 months now. I was premenapausal at diagnosis but went into menopause after chemo. I had a pelvic ultrasound after being on Tamoxifen for 6 months which was negative for uterine lining problems. I had a follow up U/S today (off Tamoxifen for about 3 months now) which show nothing in my uterus but showed multiple ovarian cysts(7- Cool

that were small(largest was 8mm) on one ovary only. My oncologists states that this is not a side effect of the Arimidex but I am concerned because I was unaware that being more than a year post menopausal that I should develop multiple ovarian cysts. Do you have an thoughts or recommendations other than repeat U/S in 3 months?

MomG · Regular Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 34 Location: Va

Hey Flmd,
I don't have the answers for you, but I was on the Arimidex for about 4 months after my Mastectomy & had to take 5 different meds for the side effects..One of the worst was my digestive system...I got to the point I dreaded to eat because my food either wouldn't go down or it came back up. I talked to my family Dr & also the oncoligist & they both agreed that my chances of getting cancer again without the Arimidex was less than 15%...so I came off the med. I am not suggesting you do that, because everyone is different. I didn't have to take chemo. I would talk in depth with the oncoligist about more explation of why the cyst show up now. Wish I could have been more helpful...
My prayers are with you.
_________________
MomG DX 11-23-05 @ 65 yrs. old. Simple mastectomy RB 0.7 cm 1-6-06ER- 3+PR- 3+HER2/nev (herceptest) Negitive, 0+Main Sentinel Node - NegetiveArimidex 1mg. for next 5 years. Onc. Stopped the Arimidex, too much pain & side effects. Evista 60mg. a day. No osteoporosis.
Mother, lung, liver cancer, Aunt, BC

flmd · New User Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks for the reply. I am having a more detailed U/S tomorrow as well as Ca125. I guess I will know more then.

rlee · Site Admin Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 245

flmd,
I don't believe that ovarian cysts are a known side effects. I was using Lexi-Comp online and they had listed cysts at 5%. I'm not sure what they really mean by cysts, and I'm not sure if this includes ovarian cysts. A repeat U/S seems reasonable as well as the other workup you listed. Best wishes.
_________________
RLee, MD

Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions.

PinkGirl · New User Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 5

Hi
I am new here. I have questions about Arimidex. I have been taking
it for about a year, after having taken Tamoxafin for about 4 months.
I have very sore joints - especially my feet, ankles, knees and hands.
Are there any other aromatase inhibitors that don't have these side
effects? Does anyone take any other meds for the side effects?

MomG · Regular Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 34 Location: Va

Hi PinkGirl!
I was on Arimidex last year & had to take five meds for the side effects...I too had joint pain, also food wouldn't digest..threw it up, couldn't have a BM, had blurry vision, ended up in hospital for my kidneys. Dr tried me on another one but it did the same thing....Everyone's body is different, so I suggest you discuss it with your Onc. & see what he says about trying other meds. Some people can tolorate one thing, when others can't. My onc. thoght it best I come off all the meds, as I couldn't tolorate them and since I'm not at high risk , I am much better now...Keep us posted as how you are doing & what your onc. tells you.
_________________
MomG DX 11-23-05 @ 65 yrs. old. Simple mastectomy RB 0.7 cm 1-6-06ER- 3+PR- 3+HER2/nev (herceptest) Negitive, 0+Main Sentinel Node - NegetiveArimidex 1mg. for next 5 years. Onc. Stopped the Arimidex, too much pain & side effects. Evista 60mg. a day. No osteoporosis.
Mother, lung, liver cancer, Aunt, BC

Muttsmom · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 1:15 pm Post subject: Re: Arimidex side effect?

I've taken Arimidex for almost 5 years and I had bad bone/joint pain. My onco put me on Actonel (I don't have osteoporisis) and by the 2nd week (you take it once a week) I had NO pain and haven't since. Arimidex is a great drug and I with my dx and age at dx, I'm still doing great 5 1/2 years later.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

PinkGirl · New User Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 5

[quote="MomG"]Hi PinkGirl!
I was on Arimidex last year & had to take five meds for the side effects...I too had joint pain, also food wouldn't digest..threw it up, couldn't have a BM, had blurry vision, ended up in hospital for my kidneys. Dr tried me on another one but it did the same thing....Everyone's body is different, so I suggest you discuss it with your Onc. & see what he says about trying other meds. Some people can tolorate one thing, when others can't. My onc. thoght it best I come off all the meds, as I couldn't tolorate them and since I'm not at high risk , I am much better now...Keep us posted as how you are doing & what your onc. tells you.[/quote]

Thanks MomG I'll be seeing my onc. on Aug. 1 and will ask him. I think
I have to stay on it because I am high risk. I am stage 2A, estrogen +,
and her2 ++++++ ( They called it her2 prolific !!! ) I am hoping there
is another similar drug that doesn't give me the joint pain. I also have
fatigue and weight gain but I don't know if that is from the Arimidex.
Thanks for your input.

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