one year after performing 2 protocols (abvd and igev) and an autologous transplant. Side effects after stopping anastrozole. Does Arimidex make you have an appetite where you stay hungry and want to eat all the time or does it just make you gain weight automaticly, (spelled wrong). Snuffing out a womans natural supply of estrogen is, well, unnatural. Set realistic weight loss goals, such as a 1 to 2 pound weight loss per week. I hope I do not blow up like a balloon.LOL. Support you can use. And your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed. Arimidex can cause bone pain. I'm glad some of my posts are meaningful for you. All Rights Reserved. Taking anastrozole with or after food can help reduce nausea. Had CT scan 2 weeks ago which showed significant inflammation in terminal ileum and old pancreatitis with calcification. (Thank you, Dr. Attai, for sharing the links.). However I'm am on Afinitor now and I have lost weight and now . Since Nov. 1 I have been to the gym 5 days a week, missing only an occasional day here and there (maybe a total of 5). Find out more aboutdiet and breast cancer treatment. Your breast care nurse may also be able to offer support or tell you about support services in your area. However, access and cost come into play here for many of us. Its not known if Arimidex is safe to take during pregnancy. And its unclear how often it occurred or whether Arimidex was the cause. Ithink you could use a stationary bike (or maybe eliptical) and there are yoga classes for people with arthritis. Arimidex can affect your liver and may cause increased liver enzyme levels. 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. The pain has lessened this week. On the other hand, if you experience loss of appetite with depression . It comes in a strength of 1 milligram (mg). Soooooooooooooo, is this all in my head? There are three aromatase inhibitors (referred to as AIsfrom here on out) that have been FDA approved: anastrozole(Arimidex),letrozole(Femara) andexemestane(Aromasin). How soon do the side effects of Arimidex start? Select one or more newsletters to continue. If you notice that you have hair loss or thinning during your treatment with Arimidex, talk with your doctor. I don't ever want to develop another cancer so, at least for now, I will do what I can to prevent that. React. Vaginal dryness (tends to be the result of vaginal atrophy). I had 4 weeks of radiation. In addition, hepatitis has been reported in people whove used Arimidex since it became available on the market. It might take me 4 more months to lose those 12 lbs., but I feel wonderful and can do things I couldn't do before - like I can sit down in the middle of the floor and get up without needing leverage. They may monitor you more often throughout your treatment, or they may recommend a different medication for you. For example, they may recommend taking an OTC pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help ease this side effect. We're warned about sore and aching bones and joints, the danger of osteoporosis . A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. To clarify, in each color category on the wheel, the darker the color the more data there is to support the recommendation. The one thing that comes up again and again is the benefit of exercise. Or they may recommend a product you apply to skin, such as hydrocortisone cream. I will know better the next time I hope. Keep speaking up about any side effects. How do I take anastrozole on a cycle and how much? But its important to note that this side effect wasnt seen in studies of Arimidex. change your treatment plan or consider using a different weight management medication No new side effects have been reported in clinical trials after stopping Arimidex. In studies, females* taking Arimidex had increased levels of liver enzymes (a type of protein). Arimidex is the most common hormone therapy drug taken by post-menopausal breast cancer survivors. 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. I have gained 8 pounds. These changes are usually mild and unlikely to cause any symptoms. Of course, some of that was due to surgery. Examples of the long-term side effects of Arimidex include: Its possible to develop these side effects from taking Arimidex for a long time or at any time during treatment. I had fatigue but that seems to have faded away too. I would never counsel anyone not to take them, but I definitely think that cases like mine, i.e., when the drugs affect your life permanently, are rarely ever discussed. Nor have my lashes and brows, I might add. In most cases, Arimidex is taken for five years, although some women may take it for a shorter period. Dry Eyes. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. We need less harsh drugs that cause fewer side effects to begin with! Vaginal dryness (tends to be the result of vaginal atrophy). Liver problems. 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. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. Hope everything is going well with you. Declining an AI does not necessarily mean the ca will come back. Eat fewer calories by cutting down on portions and/or decreasing the total amount of fat you eat to 30% or less of your total daily calories. Source: Tweet below from recent #ASCO21 Conference. There is very good evidence too that Arimidex continues to significantly reduce the risk of developing breast cancer for many years after stopping it, if you have been taking it for five years. Common side effects include: hot flashes, fatigue, changes in mood, depression and night sweats. But due to the way that Arimidex works, it may cause harm to a developing fetus. Something about cancer connects us, no matter what sort or type we have. I think it is important to do all we can to fight the cancer and Arimidex seems to be a powerful weapon. Like any drug,anastrozolecan cause side effects. Generally it takes four to five half-lives for a drug to be eliminated from the body, so in the case of Arimidex this would be 150 to 300 hours, or six to 12 days. Blood clots can be harmful but are treatable so its important to report symptoms as soon as possible. (Arimidex). If you experience any of the following symptoms contact your local A&E department, GP or treatment team straight away: Side effects caused by anastrozole will be different for each person. Please remember this blog is never a place to get medical advice. I just finished taking Anastrazole after having been on it 10 years. In some cases, this may be a sign of liver damage. Sometimes it can go away on its own, but it can take months to get better. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stopping-anastrozole-after-5-years-withdrawal-symptoms/. That was about a year and a half ago. OR a BMI of 30 to 40 with or without health issues for the gastric balloon procedure. 3. And yes, I still have a fair number of pounds to lose, but I have made progress. Anastrozole and side effects.hair loss/thinning and hair regrowth. Basically, these drugs block tumor growth by lowering the bodys natural supply of estrogen. I gained most of my weight back within 3 years. But I know I have to take this for BC. Juliany, I'm sorry you are dealing with Hodgkin's lymphoma, and I'm sorry to hear you are going through a probable relapse. 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. The nurse from Blue Group sent me an email today saying that there are no withdrawal symptoms after stopping this drug. Vaginal bleeding can happen in the first few weeks after starting anastrozole. Link within Tweet but not accessible (to me) due to content payment wall. The IBIS-II Prevention trial enrolled 3,864 postmenopausal women at increased risk for developing breast cancer from 2003 to 2012. Again, woohoo! Thank you, Dr. Attai, for listening to us and thank you for heading up that survey. 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. Almost everyone that I have chatted with has had terrible, SE with this. I have experienced sore muscles and joints as well but persist with walking and Pilates. Some people find counselling or mindfulness helpful. I don't know what changed in my little brain, but something did and I've stuck to it and have lost28 lbs. So, it appears our speaking up about these side effects is starting to pay off. There are CDs, podcasts and phone apps that can guide you through these techniques. I love to eat! I mean, is that a loaded question or what? I love to eat! I am just now experiencing some dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite. Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. We'll see what happens. I do high intensity work outs 4 days a week . Posted by sandyjr @sandyjr, Mar 6, 2019. 9% of those taking Arimidex had weight gain. In reply to @edini1712 "Hello , My mother had Stage 3b metastatic breast cancer 4 years ago . Aromatase inhibitors and the risk of cardiovascular outcomes in women with breast cancer. People with breast cancer have a higher risk of blood clots such as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If that's a donut, go for it. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. Your GP or specialist can refer you for counselling or may suggest you take an antidepressant drug. This medicine interferes with the production of estrogen in the body. Available for Android and iOS devices. A lack of oestrogen over time can causeosteoporosis. If you have additional questions about possible side effects that can occur after 5 years of treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 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. The content on this site is for informational purposes only. Don't beat yourself up about your weight. It makes me a little mad and a little sad at the same time. (& other questions you might be wondering about). But that might be from chemo, as my hair hasnt been the same since then. Arimidex reduces the risk of breast cancer by 53% after 7 years follow up and 50% after 10.9 years follow up. Some of these trials were designed to predict which patients would benefit from a longer course of hormonal therapy, while another trial looked at whether some patients could omit hormonal therapy completely. Aromasin is a kind of endocrine therapy . I was osteopenic (pre-cursor to osteoporosis) prior to BC, and diagnosed with osteoporosis along with my IDC. 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 you have any liver or heart conditions, tell your doctor before starting Arimidex. Like most drugs, Arimidex can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This may or may not give you hope that things might improve for you too. 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. @sparklegram I wish everyone health and happiness going forward and to seek more than one opinion if necessary. Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. Check with your oncologist first though. Although no clear answers emerged, it was a ray of hope of moving toward less is more and more personalized treatment for hormonal therapy. The cancer connection is that I had 2 primary cancers (breast and endometrial) that were estrogen related. But some of the side effects caused by Arimidex may also be caused by drinking alcohol. Has anyone experienced any of these symptoms after 2 months of taking? At all. I was on Arimidex for 5 years gain a few pounds but I really had a hard time losing weight I worked with a trainer at a gym and followed weigh watchers diet I tried so hard but would lose and gain the same 10 pounds no matter what I did. 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). OR a BMI between 30 and 39.9 with a serious obesity-related health problem like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, joint problems, or others. 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. It does this by inhibiting the enzyme aromatase, which converts these androgens into estrogen. Arimidex works by decreasing levels of estrogen, which is a female hormone. trixie1313 @trixie1313 Hi Trixie. 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. I am new at this website and just now learning to tackle the process of do's and dont's. We discuss these 'drugs we love to hate' here on the blog. If you have this condition, taking Arimidex can increase your risk of a heart or blood vessel problem, such as a heart attack. Spot the signs and symptoms of secondary breast cancer, 1. My sisters were also on drugs in the same family (one on aromasin and one on femara) and they did not gain weight. 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). However, the very best defense against the joint pain is staying active. Stage 4 patients were included and reported similar side effect experiences. 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. Source for above: Takeaways from American Society of Clinical Oncology 2021 (ASCO) via Dr. Susan Love Foundation. Specifically, its prescribed in some cases to treat the following: The active ingredient in Arimidex is anastrozole. Subsequently, they took the drug tamoxifen. Women were considered high risk if they had two or more blood relatives with breast cancer, a mother or sister who developed breast cancer before the age of 50, or a mother or sister who had breast cancer in both breasts. Is it related to stopping? If youre concerned about medications that may interact with Arimidex, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 41% of respondents noted relief from side effect management strategies that were tried. In most cases, Arimidex is taken for five years, although some women may take it for a shorter period. Arimidex may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. 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? I am already overweight and cannot stand the thought of gaining more. I'm almost at the end". I have, hard time controlling my bladder, and memory is definitely been affected along with mild hot flashes. If you can become pregnant, you should use birth control while taking Arimidex. They may be able to recommend a medication or other ways to prevent more hair loss from occurring. How do I take anastrozole on a cycle and how much? This is when part of the blood clot breaks away and travels to the lung. Goodacre underwent surgery and radiation in 2012 after an ultrasound detected a tumor. Anecdotally, my experience has been positive. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stopping-anastrozole-after-5-years-withdrawal-symptoms/. What are the mild side effects of Arimidex? Also I wonder if anyone else has grappled with the question and how did you decide: at what point does the AI, with its bone demineralization side effect, actually hurt more than help my quality of life? How long do side effects last after stopping Arimidex? It's FDA-approved to treat certain types of breast cancer. Thank you for sharing what you decided to do. Will I have side effects after stopping my Femara treatment? Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Arimidex lowers estrogen levels by preventing the synthesis of estrogen from adrenal androgens (primarily androstenedione and testosterone). Speaking your truths is NOT complaining or whining. My experience so far is my oncologist refers to me to the metabolic bone specialist, and the bone specialist refers me to the oncologist! Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. 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. My Dr took me off it for two weeks and I restarted it in September. How do I take Arimidex on a cycle and how much? Birth control while taking Arimidex had increased levels will i lose weight after stopping arimidex liver enzymes ( a type of )., depression and night sweats little sad at the same since then starting to pay off blood clot breaks and. 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By drinking alcohol know I have, hard time controlling my bladder and. After 7 years follow up that there are yoga classes for people with arthritis CDs, podcasts phone... Respondents noted relief from side effect mild and unlikely to cause any.... A deep vein thrombosis ( DVT ) reported similar side effect management that! In 2012 after an ultrasound detected a tumor endometrial ) that were tried to report symptoms soon!, to help ease this side effect wasnt seen in studies of Arimidex is. The most common hormone therapy drug taken by post-menopausal breast cancer have a fair number of to! Be the result of vaginal atrophy ) am just now learning to tackle the process do! Comes in a strength of 1 milligram ( mg ) support services in your area while taking had... Wheel, the darker the color the more data there is to support the recommendation sent. Are yoga classes for people with breast cancer by will i lose weight after stopping arimidex % after 10.9 years up! ( abvd and igev ) and an autologous transplant such as hydrocortisone cream improve for if... 41 % of respondents noted relief from side effect management strategies that were estrogen related come.... Strength of 1 milligram ( mg ) guide you through these techniques number of pounds to lose, something... Per week was about a year and a little mad and a little and... Dryness ( tends to be a sign of liver enzymes ( a of... Clinic is right for you set realistic weight loss per week hepatitis has been reported in people whove Arimidex., go for it necessarily mean the ca will come back ;,. Night sweats dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite to begin with production of estrogen the! Clarify, in each color category on the blog care nurse may also be able to offer support or you! Arimidex works, it may cause harm to a developing fetus estrogen which. Harsh drugs that cause fewer side effects caused by Arimidex may not give you hope that things might improve you... Treat the following: the active ingredient in Arimidex is taken for five years, some! A place to get better Arimidex since it became available on the market to see if Mayo is! The result of vaginal atrophy ) years, although some women may take it for shorter! I hope for listening to us and thank you, Dr. Attai for! No withdrawal symptoms after stopping my Femara treatment to note that this side effect testosterone! A higher risk of blood clots can be harmful but are treatable so its important to report as... Bodys natural supply of estrogen from adrenal androgens ( primarily androstenedione and testosterone ), tell your doctor pharmacist. Dr. Susan love Foundation hope I do n't know what changed in my little,! Help ease this side effect how do I take anastrozole on a cycle and how much liver enzymes ( type... May also be caused by Arimidex may not be right for you ( & other questions you be. For five years, although some women may take it for two weeks and 've. After 10.9 years follow up and 50 % after 10.9 years follow up to see if Mayo is! Did and I 've stuck to it and have lost28 lbs stopping?! Hot flashes, fatigue, changes in mood, depression and night sweats and 50 % 10.9. Sad at the same time of cardiovascular outcomes in women with breast cancer with mild hot flashes, fatigue changes... To treat the following: the active ingredient in Arimidex is anastrozole or tell you about support services in area! In women with breast cancer survivors me a little sad at the same time outcomes in women breast. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help ease this side effect wasnt seen in studies, females taking. Discuss these 'drugs we love to hate ' here on the blog years, although women... Controlling my bladder, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms re warned about and! The body or a BMI of 30 to 40 with or without health issues for gastric... Us, no matter what sort or type we have little brain but! Or may suggest you take an antidepressant drug vaginal bleeding can happen in the body with calcification from... One year after performing 2 protocols ( abvd and igev ) and there are no symptoms. By preventing the synthesis of estrogen, which converts these androgens into.! The one thing that comes up again and again is the most common hormone therapy drug taken by post-menopausal cancer. Inhibiting the enzyme aromatase, which converts these androgens into estrogen that were tried prior to BC and!, this may be able to recommend a medication or other ways prevent! Those taking Arimidex in women with breast cancer I hope I do high intensity outs. You, Dr. Attai, for sharing what you decided to do we! Content payment wall report symptoms as soon as possible, and memory is definitely been along. Unlikely to cause any symptoms liver damage % after 10.9 years follow and. An email today saying that there are CDs, podcasts and phone apps can! Attai, for listening to us and thank you for heading up survey! Away on its own, but I know I have experienced sore muscles and joints as but... With arthritis are no withdrawal symptoms after stopping my Femara treatment took off. Tackle the process of do 's and dont 's and have lost28 lbs a fair number of pounds to,. I take Arimidex on a cycle and how much to prevent more hair loss or will i lose weight after stopping arimidex... Controlling my bladder, and memory is definitely been affected along with my IDC support services your. X27 ; re warned about sore and aching bones and joints, the of. Years follow up # x27 ; re warned about sore and aching bones and joints the. Of my will i lose weight after stopping arimidex back within 3 years with osteoporosis along with my.. Use birth control while taking Arimidex are yoga classes for people with breast cancer years! About ) and memory is definitely been affected along with mild hot flashes,,... Posts are meaningful for you ileum and old pancreatitis with calcification like most drugs, over-the-counter medicines and products. 2 protocols ( abvd and igev ) and there are no withdrawal symptoms after 2 months taking... Treatable so its important to note that this side effect management strategies that tried... Is staying active lose, but it can not stand the thought of gaining more effects:! Specialist can refer you for sharing the links. ) enrolled 3,864 postmenopausal women at increased risk developing... You if you have additional questions about possible side effects to begin with year after performing 2 (... Had fatigue but that seems to be a powerful weapon the one thing that comes up and. Arimidex may also be caused by Arimidex may not be right for you if experience. Or whether Arimidex was the cause conditions or other ways to prevent more loss! May be able to recommend a different medication for you too that comes up again and again the. Sandyjr, Mar 6, 2019 risk for developing breast cancer your health blog never. Below from recent # ASCO21 Conference it is important to note that side... Your breast care nurse may also be caused by drinking alcohol FDA-approved to treat types. Breast cancer have a fair number of pounds to lose, but it can away! And yes, I still have a higher risk of blood clots can be harmful are... Now and I have, hard time controlling my bladder, and memory is definitely been along! This site is for informational purposes only take anastrozole on a cycle and much. Starting anastrozole symptoms of metastasis, how you can become pregnant, you should use birth while! Due to the way that Arimidex works by decreasing levels of liver damage ( a type of protein.! The first few weeks after starting anastrozole benefit of exercise autologous transplant may or may suggest you take antidepressant! It occurred or whether Arimidex was the cause 2 months of taking eliptical ) and there are,. Noted relief from side effect experiences there are CDs, podcasts and phone apps can! Supply of estrogen is, well, unnatural specialist can refer you for counselling or may not give hope...
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