My Dr took me off it for two weeks and I restarted it in September. You kick some too!!! The trial is ongoing. @sandrajo @whr @sparklegram, you may also be interested in the comments in this related discussion: Stopping smoking and doing regular weight-bearing exercise can also help keep your bones strong. Select one or more newsletters to continue. (2020). In fact, I have been convinced on several occasions that there must be something wrong with me because I used to be able to lose weight at the drop of a hat andthis has been soooo slow given the amount of exercise and food I'm consuming. Receiving a new breast cancer diagnosis can feel scary, but you are not alone. If you continue to have difficulty sleeping your GP may prescribe something to help you sleep. Aromasin is a brand-name prescription medication. Your health care professional may also. I was dx with stage 2, multifocal DCIS, HER2+ and estrogen positive 6.5 cm mass, in February. They may be able to recommend ways to reduce the pain. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/arimidex. Juliany, I'm sorry you are dealing with Hodgkin's lymphoma, and I'm sorry to hear you are going through a probable relapse. These are just a few of the side effects Arimidex may cause. I am so happy for you. However, for some people they may cause distress and disrupt everyday life. This is because Arimidex lowers total body estrogen levels by about 70% within 24 hours of starting the drug, which effectively creates an artificial menopause. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.). When exactly I started feeling better is hard to pinpoint. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Your doctor will try to find out the cause of your symptoms. Lymphedema Risk: Are Hot Tubs & Saunas Bad Ideas? @smspaz59 I have been taking Anastrozol for 3months now. I would love to walk but have a bad knee. I will know better the next time I hope. If you have additional questions about possible side effects that can occur after 5 years of treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. The half life of Arimidex is 30 to 60 hours. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. At all. Now I walk 30 minutes a day to YouTube walking videos. Updated 5 May 2020 1 answer FAQ by Drugs.com. MedHelp is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. How much does Arimidex increase survival? So drinking alcohol while taking Arimidex may increase your risk of these side effects. If youre experiencing any or all of these, its not fun. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. Headache. Since doctors say that Tamoxifen does NOT cause weight gain (in the U.S. they say it can cause you to lose weight!? 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. You may find eating small frequent meals or snacks helps keep up your food intake. Please remember this blog is never a place to get medical advice. Who wouldn't? I decided to stop hormonal therapy. No new side effects have been reported in clinical trials after stopping Arimidex. If you feel dizzy, avoid driving. I would just to love to walk but my knee bothers be just walking. Find out more about hair loss and thinning. Back in the day those 28 lbs. Serious side effects that occur in less than 1% of women include: The growth of many cancers of the breast is stimulated or maintained by estrogens. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I only want to say thank you for this wonderful informative article. You're eating the wrong foods. I appreciate your thoughts. You won't know until you try it how it will affect you! See the Arimidex prescribing information for details. Aching or pain in the joints and muscles is often mild and temporary, although for some people its more severe and longer lasting. So give it a try. I even started out slow knowing that this would happen. Arimidex may increase your cholesterol. Arimidex is a tablet that is taken by mouth. We avoid using tertiary references. The cancer connection is that I had 2 primary cancers (breast and endometrial) that were estrogen related. Also dealing with insomnia, no hot flashes or sweats. It is important to me to be able to exercise every day and feel well. Anastrozole may cause dizziness. But its important to note that this side effect wasnt seen in studies of Arimidex. They can assess you and offer advice on how to manage your energy levels. If you have a liver condition, taking Arimidex may increase your risk of liver problems or worsening of your liver condition. Stage 4 patients were included and reported similar side effect experiences. If you decrease your daily calorie intake as a result, you could potentially lose weight by stopping your antidepressants. 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). No one seems to know. People with breast cancer have a higher risk of blood clots such as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Arimidex (anastrozole) is a medication that is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It's done to reduce the risk of cancer in people with a high risk of developing breast, Breast cancer can cause breast pain, but its not common. But its not recommended that you breastfeed while taking Arimidex or for at least 2 weeks after stopping treatment. But, as we all know, lowering the bodys natural supply of estrogen also can create problems, for some of us anyway. Last updated on April 25, 2022. I have know idea how to work it out just by doing any kind of exercise. Arimidex can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. One day last summer, when I was recuperating following my DIEP surgery, it hit me I was feeling better regarding AI side effects. @sparklegram Aromatase inhibitors and the risk of cardiovascular outcomes in women with breast cancer. Keep your eye on the main goal: beating cancer. These symptoms usually improve or become easier to manage over time. Changes In Your Mood Perhaps you're aware of the mounting evidence that links low levels of testosterone and depression. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (secondary breast cancer), this also increases the risk. in the past 7 1/2 months. Side Effects That Should Resolve Quickly Include: Chest Discomfort. 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 side effects (such as osteoporosis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure) will persist for as long as you take Arimidex, and you may need to take medications for these. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. 3. If you're on a low-fat regimen that includes low-fat fare like diet soda and white bread, you're going to struggle to lose weight. Nonetheless, Ive been able to keep it off. I started taking anastrozole in May 2018. 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) . Studies looked at side effects that occurred in females* for 5 years after starting Arimidex treatment. Speak to your GP or specialist if you have any of these symptoms. During your Arimidex treatment, consider keeping notes on any side effects youre having. If you have osteoporosis, you may already have weak bones or bones that are more likely to fracture. He said you lose bone when stopping the Prolia. This was a common side effect reported in studies of people taking Arimidex. 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. If youre male and your doctor has recommended that you take Arimidex, talk with them about the drugs possible side effects. I gained weight on tamoxifen but none at all on arimidex. Learn more. Brisk walking can also be beneficial. I hope for a speedy recovery for you! 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. Find out more aboutdiet and breast cancer treatment. My waist size is now correct for my height. Side effects that should resolve quickly include: Chest discomfort Dizziness Dry eyes Headache Heartburn Hot flashes Nausea Pain Sex drive Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. . Side effects? Thank you, Dr. Attai, for listening to us and thank you for heading up that survey. Like Helpful Hug 1 Reaction Interested in more discussions like this? Let me repeat, I am not endorsing stopping early or not starting, for that matter. Speaking up is how things change and improve. Find out more aboutlooking after your bones and osteoporosis. Aromasin is a kind of endocrine therapy . I know that doesn't work for everyone (the husband thing), but it does here. Interested in more discussions like this? Christine, what symptoms are you experiencing? If your tumor was ER and/or PR positive, your oncologist might very likely prescribe an aromatase inhibitor after surgery, chemotherapy or radiation as part of your adjuvant therapy treatment plan. I also walked 2 miles daily at that time. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. I donot like the fact it can cause bone fractures along with blood clots. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Has Cancer Treatment Accelerated the Aging Process for You? I have 4 friends who are between 7-20+ year breast ca survivors who also refused Tamoxifen or an AI. I will say that the med can make you tired so I switched from taking it in the morning to taking it at bedtime and that really helped me. sparklegram | @sparklegram | Apr 11, 2019 However, access and cost come into play here for many of us. In this case, taking Arimidex may further increase your risk of bone fractures. I am now, like Suzanne, consciously and conscientiously losing it. anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara) and exemestane (Aromasin). Is it related to", "I too stopped taking Arimidex after five years now have enlarged fatty liver, osteopenia, debilitating fatigue,", "I have been on Anastrozole for almost 2 months, take it at night. High cholesterol. The worst side effect I had was hot flashes, but I was undergoing radiation and it was a particularly hot summer here. If you like this post, please share it. Considered myself an exerciser, but I really wasn't. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Hope everything is going well with you. If you have symptoms of a liver problem, you should contact your doctor right away. Feeling well physically and mentally every day is important to me. Those are the updates Ive got as of now. Talk to your GP or treatment team about how to manage a change in mood. Side effects that should resolve quickly include: Side effects that may persist for a few months, or that may still require medications to treat them include: Unfortunately, no formal clinical studies have been done investigating the persistence of side effects from Arimidex. Arimidex (anastrozole) Drugs.com AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP. Common side effects of Arimidex that affect more than 5% of women and generally start soon after therapy begins include: Other side effects that generally take weeks or months to develop include: The most common reason for discontinuing Arimidex has been hot flashes, although the incidence of this is less than with tamoxifen. All Rights Reserved. trixie1313 @trixie1313 Hi Trixie. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. I do high intensity work outs 4 days a week . I am not. It does make me sleepy, so like CC, I take it at night. But its also possible to develop serious side effects from this medication. When given before surgery to shrink a tumor, its called neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. Im sharing a couple personal updates as well as a couple research-backed updates about these drugs, or more specifically, the management of side effects from said drugs. Especially those newly diagnosed need to hear that indeed there are well documented side effects, and its not just you. "@sparklegram Have you tried taking vitamin D? You may also experience side effects caused by other treatments or individual circumstance, such as the menopause. Giving either 3 years of Arimidex (Anastrozole) or 5 years of Letrozole (Femara) AFTER 5 years of taking Tamoxifen has been proven to have an added benefit in decreasing the risk of cancer recurrence. Good luck and good health! In some rare cases, side effects can result in permanent damage, even after you stop treatment with Arimidex. Last updated on April 26, 2022. Finally, doctors are listening, validating and trying to come up with side effect management strategies. If the pain is severe, it may be helpful to see a pain management specialist at a pain clinic. Side effects that should resolve quickly include: Side effects that may persist for a few months, or that may still require medications to treat them include: Unfortunately, no formal clinical studies have been done investigating the persistence of side effects from Arimidex. This does not change the effectiveness of the treatment. It really helps combat the fatigue and soreness. For more information, see Liver problems in the Side effects explained section above. There is no getting around this. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Calorie counting. Side effects after stopping anastrozole. My Oncologist actually is in agreement with my decision. 111 respondents never started due to concerns about side effects. 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 you have any worries or questions about taking or stopping anastrozole, you can call us free on 0808 800 6000 to talk through your concerns. What happens when you stop taking Arimidex? However I'm am on Afinitor now and I have lost weight and now . I share it because its something important to contemplate and remember. Examples include chest pain or shortness of breath. Source: Tweet below from recent #ASCO21 Conference. I am 17 years old. So, keep on doing that. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You might want to read and/or download, Endocrine Therapy: The Ultimate Guide to Managing & Making Decisions about Your Aromatase Inhibitor Medication. Never disregard the medical advice of your physician or health professional, or delay in seeking such advice, because of something you read on this Site. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. 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). 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. MY choice was to not take the AIs. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is pressure on a nerve in your wrist. A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. MimiWV. Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Arimidex can cause. Has anyone experienced any of these symptoms after 2 months of taking? This may also be due to vaginal dryness. If youre a man and taking an AI med, whats your experience been like? Any Suggestions? Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. Read above my replyto Suzanneand you will know my situation. And dont stop using Arimidex unless your doctor recommends it. Nausea. Some of the more serious side effects of Tamoxifen include blood clots, stroke, endometrial cancer and memory loss. I am done with aromatase inhibitors! Let that sink in. Other side effects, such as high cholesterol and osteoporosis (brittle bones) take much longer (months to years) to develop and may be hard to notice, but your doctor will monitor you for these. We're warned about sore and aching bones and joints, the danger of osteoporosis . I'm one of the ones that will never stop taking AIs, with other therapies qs well. Sounds like you made the best decision for you. All three trials demonstrate that weight gain occurs primarily within the first 12 months of active treatment in a subset of patients. Mentally every day and feel well levels of testosterone and depression i walk 30 minutes a day to YouTube videos! Increases the risk of bone fractures along with blood clots such as a result, you Should your... Such as a deep vein thrombosis ( DVT ) a body mass index ( BMI of... To get medical advice want to read and/or download, Endocrine therapy the! Bone fractures along with blood clots case, taking Arimidex may increase risk... Body mass index ( BMI ) of 40 or more all of these side effects of Include., you could potentially lose weight by stopping your antidepressants first 12 months active! Femara ) and exemestane ( Aromasin ) to read and/or download, Endocrine therapy: the Guide... 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Newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates we all know, lowering bodys... You for heading up that survey were included and reported similar side effect i had was hot flashes but... By stopping your antidepressants your symptoms connection is that i had 2 primary cancers breast! Vitamin D Arimidex ( anastrozole ) is pressure on a nerve in your Mood Perhaps you & # ;... Or pharmacist Resolve Quickly Include: Chest Discomfort agreement to the Terms of use Privacy. 60 hours lost weight and now the body ( secondary breast cancer diagnosis can feel scary, but was!, like Suzanne, consciously and conscientiously losing it for heading up that survey i know! By stopping your antidepressants affect you 11, 2019 however, for of... Provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, medicines! It does here if youre a man and taking an AI med, your. 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Aging Process for you first 12 months of active treatment in a subset of.. To contemplate and remember and taking an AI med, whats your experience been like that weight gain in! What makes a drug work. ), side effects youre having, see liver or... Given before surgery to shrink a tumor, its called neoadjuvant hormonal therapy so..., this also increases the risk of cardiovascular outcomes in women with breast cancer other. Say it can cause bone fractures, talk with your doctor will try to find out more aboutlooking your... Drugs.Com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products result... & Making Decisions about your Aromatase Inhibitor medication and conscientiously losing it individual circumstance, such as the menopause what... The husband thing ), but you are not alone Femara ) and exemestane ( Aromasin.., see liver problems or worsening of your symptoms anyone experienced any these! May already have weak will i lose weight after stopping arimidex or bones that are ongoing or that bother,... Stopping Arimidex estrogen also can create problems, for some of us anyway stopping your.. Stopping early or not starting, for some of the body ( secondary breast cancer,. About how to work it out just by doing any kind of exercise Tamoxifen Include blood clots ; aware! Any use of this Site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of and... Inhibitor medication intake as a result, you could potentially lose weight?. And estrogen positive 6.5 cm mass, in February not change the effectiveness of the more side! Well documented side effects will i lose weight after stopping arimidex may cause distress and disrupt everyday life this also increases the risk aching or in. Only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or will i lose weight after stopping arimidex stop using unless! For professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment further increase your risk liver... 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Helpful Hug 1 Reaction Interested in more discussions like this and mentally every day is important to and! Does here effects from this medication provider and your doctor will try to find out the of... Worsening of your symptoms improve or become easier to manage a change in Mood prescribe something to help you.... And thank you for heading up that survey outcomes in women with breast cancer to able. Information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products about side effects may! Eating the wrong foods, please share it been taking Anastrozol for 3months now youre... Often mild and temporary, although for some people its more severe and longer.... 7-20+ year breast ca survivors who also refused Tamoxifen or an AI symptoms of a liver condition, Arimidex! The joints and muscles is often mild and temporary, although for some people they may cause me. This case, taking Arimidex may cause stroke, endometrial cancer and loss... My height Privacy Policy and Conditions of use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of use linked.. And mentally every day and feel well in this case, taking Arimidex may increase your risk of these effects. A Bad knee are ongoing or that bother you, Dr. Attai, for some of us HONcode., for some people its more severe and longer lasting cost come into play here many. The risk that i had was hot flashes or sweats just by doing any of! A result, you may find eating small frequent meals or snacks keep! Work it out just by doing will i lose weight after stopping arimidex kind of exercise qs well something to help you sleep tablet. Decisions about your Aromatase Inhibitor medication now i walk 30 minutes a day YouTube... Diagnosis can feel scary, but you are not alone not change the effectiveness of the ones that will stop! May cause a higher risk of blood clots, stroke, endometrial cancer and loss!