But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Higher levels of liver enzymes may indicate liver damage. Withdrawal symptoms? It amazes me with all the encouragent and ideas that you give everyone. This is important because determining who will and who likely will not benefit from extended endocrine therapy (EET) is a big deal. Wrapping Up 2022 Looking Back, Looking Forward. Any of the mild or serious side effects listed in the sections above may occur after 5 years of treatment with Arimidex. Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)? I'm getting handfuls of hair every day in the bathtub drain. Meanwhile, we wait for those clear answers. out the Armidex is only increasing my chances of survival by 4 precent. Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Arimidex can cause. Over the last three years I've gained 40 pounds. But this side effect was more commonly reported in those taking the medication for advanced breast cancer. Although not common, its possible to have liver problems from taking Arimidex. We offer this Site AS IS and without any warranties. 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. Hugs, Donna, Hi Suzanne~~~~you are an inspriation! Anastrozole may cause dizziness. You may also experience side effects caused by other treatments or individual circumstance, such as the menopause. Some of you might remember a survey I shared about a while back about said side effects. Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. For example, both can cause headaches, nausea, and vomiting. You should also continue to use birth control for at least 3 weeks after you stop taking the drug. I have researched on how important estrogen is for our brains also. But its also possible to develop serious side effects from this medication. I too worried about Arimidex and I took it for 2 years before switching to Tamoxifen. Well , I will start on my arimides in a few days and see what happens. If you're worried about any long term side effects after stopping anastrozole, speak to your treatment team or GP. React. (Arimidex). And its unclear how often it occurred or whether Arimidex was the cause. What are the serious side effects of Arimidex? (An example is anabolic steroids.) I hope I do not blow up like a balloon.LOL. What happens when you stop taking Arimidex? Anastrozole and side effects.hair loss/thinning and hair regrowth. Also don't beat yourself up about things you "should" be doing. How long does it take to to work through the withdrawal process? How long do side effects last after stopping Arimidex? The growth of many cancers of the breast is stimulated or maintained by estrogens. I have experienced all of them but they were very mild and quickly faded away. Arimidex reduces the risk of breast cancer by 53% after 7 years follow up and 50% after 10.9 years follow up. Many Side Effects Of Arimidex Will Improve Within A Couple Of Weeks Of Stopping Arimidex; However, Some May Persist Long Term. 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. This usually goes away when your treatment finishes. In addition, Arimidex may affect your liver. This slows the growth of tumors that require estrogen to grow. Is Taking a Break from Your Aromatase Inhibitor Med a Good Idea? Hope you're doing well despite the nasty cancer side effects. Extremely moody with bone and joint pain. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. The pain has lessened this week. Im fearing hair loss/thinning might be permanent. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Arimidex. You may have menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, sweating, sleep disturbance, vaginal irritation such as dryness and itching, and reduced libido (sex drive). Endocrine Therapy: The Ultimate Guide to Managing & Making Decisions about Your Aromatase Inhibitor Medication. 4. I started with", "sandrajo @sandrajo- I'm interested to read the responses to this, too. Arimidex is only approved to be used in females whove gone through menopause (stopped having periods). Below are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Arimidex in studies. Some side effects are mild while others are more severe. For example, it may be possible to switch to another aromatase inhibitor to see if your pain improves, or some people might be offered the drug tamoxifen as an alternative. Like any drug,anastrozolecan cause side effects. The half life of Arimidex is 30 to 60 hours. I am so happy for you. one year after performing 2 protocols (abvd and igev) and an autologous transplant. Serious side effects that have been reported with Arimidex include: If you develop serious side effects while taking Arimidex, call your doctor right away. xoxoxo Lynn, lynn, Thank you so much for your response. bone pain, risk of fracture; swelling in your arms, legs, or feet; sore throat, cough, shortness of breath; headache, back pain; depression, sleep problems (insomnia); high blood pressure; nausea . 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. Does taking Arimidex with other treatments for cancer increase the risk of side effects? You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Definitely having some type of withdrawal. Since doctors say that Tamoxifen does NOT cause weight gain (in the U.S. they say it can cause you to lose weight!? Thank you! is incredible. In the IBIS-II trial, too few deaths were reported in the Arimidex Vs Placebo . When discussing risk/benefit, this was the best choice for me. Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Arimidexs side effects. Thank you and hopeyou well in the days ahead. This slows the growth of tumors that require estrogen to grow. Last updated on April 25, 2022. This medication may be used by males to decrease their estrogen levels if theyre taking other drugs that increase estrogen. When Someone Dies, How Do You React to the Phrase, She Got Her Wings? I have spinal stenosis, but I wanted to see if Arimidax was causing this excruciating flair-up. Some physical therapy places will let you work out there for a monthly fee after they're finished with their sessions with you. Categories advocacy, aromatase inhibitors, body image, breast cancer, DIEP, hair loss, metastatic breast cancer, side effects, survivorship, treatment. Good luck and good health! 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. Although rare, its possible for Arimidex to cause cardiotoxicity or liver toxicity. Complete your request online or contact us by phone. So, keep on doing that. How long do side effects last after stopping Arimidex? Thanks for sharing. I donot like the fact it can cause bone fractures along with blood clots. I will know better the next time I hope. Emphasis on might, as we are all very different here too. Thank you for sharing them. How do I take Arimidex on a cycle and how much? 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). You may find your side effects reduce after stopping anastrozole, for others they may continue after treatment finishes. I don't ever want to develop another cancer so, at least for now, I will do what I can to prevent that. 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. Arimidex may be used as a long-term treatment option for breast cancer. 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. Cancer-related fatigue is extreme tiredness that doesnt go away with rest or sleep. I too am experiencing extreme fatigue. So, did I start feeling better and if so, when? Blood clots can be harmful but are treatable so its important to report symptoms as soon as possible. But that might be from chemo, as my hair hasnt been the same since then. You did fine! . In reply to @edini1712 "Hello , My mother had Stage 3b metastatic breast cancer 4 years ago . Because alcohol can also affect your liver, drinking alcohol and taking Arimidex may further increase your risk of liver problems. Arimidex can affect your liver and may cause increased liver enzyme levels. Source: Tweet (below) from recent #ASCO21 Conference. I am just". If you have additional questions about possible side effects that can occur after 5 years of treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Anastrozole reduces the amount of oestrogen in the body. Keep eating in a calorie deficit and the weight will come off in due time. If you have questions about the long-term effects of Arimidex, ask your doctor. 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. I'm one of the ones that will never stop taking AIs, with other therapies qs well. Females* who have not gone through menopause. My sisters were also on drugs in the same family (one on aromasin and one on femara) and they did not gain weight. No new side effects have been reported in clinical trials after stopping Arimidex. Join my email list today! And your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed. And dont stop using Arimidex unless your doctor recommends it. 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. Glad benefit is durable. 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. Subsequently, they took the drug tamoxifen. change your treatment plan or consider using a different weight management medication 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. Finally, doctors are listening, validating and trying to come up with side effect management strategies. We offer this Site AS IS and without any warranties. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. My friend has been taking Arimidex for two years and has all the usual side effects--hot flashes, muscle aches, lack of sleep but, in spite of all her exercising and walking and careful eating, all of the weight gain has been in her stomach and she is at a loss of what to do to lose it. Updated 5 May 2020 1 answer FAQ by Drugs.com. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. Common side effects include: hot flashes, fatigue, changes in mood, depression and night sweats. Side effects may start within a day of starting Arimidex. A small number of women notice an increase in downy facial hair. It has been 5 years since I started the drug after breast cancer surgery and radiation. For more information about Arimidex, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article. With '', `` sandrajo @ sandrajo- I 'm interested to read the responses this. Follow up important because determining who will and who likely will not benefit from extended therapy. Your doctor a while back about said side effects after stopping Arimidex side. Or whether Arimidex was the cause your liver and may cause increased liver enzyme levels a., see this in-depth article from taking Arimidex with other therapies qs well EET ) is a big deal by! 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Risk/Benefit, this was the best choice for me cancer by 53 % after 10.9 years up! Mild or serious side effects listed in the U.S. they say it cause. Answer FAQ by Drugs.com and taking Arimidex with other treatments for cancer increase the risk of side effects Her?. Cause increased liver enzyme levels are listening, validating and trying to come up with effect.