Arimidex

[ashridge]

I am one of the lucky ones whose BC was very small (7mm)invasive ductal ER+ tumor discovered at routine mammogram 3 years ago. Tumor & margins removed plus 10 lymph nodes (all negative)followed by radiotherapy. I was on Tamoxifen initially but couldn't tolerate it (extreme vaginal itching and discharge)so was switched to Arimidex about a year ago. I am now starting to experience discomfort on this, has any one else found this? I have a check-up this week, supposed to be 6 monthly but is 9 months since last one, I'm tempted to ask to come off Arimidex. Am post-menopausal, sister died of BC at age 45 and maternal aunt, also, so may be genetic tendency. What does the surgeon think? I live in the UK.

[meemawhoney]

I recently had a mastectomy and subsequent lymph node surgery.  I had a sentinel node biopsy first with (2) negative and (2) positive nodes and on the final node surgery, they took 32 nodes all of them being negative.  I elected not to have chemotherapy due to declining health but now I am faced with another problem.  I started taking Arimidex and have had such severe pain in my lower extremities - can't sleep at night as I can't lie down due to the pain and discomfort of my legs and hips.  It also feels like my bowels are affected in some way also-have developed a shake in my hands which I have never had.  I do have rheumatoid arthritis but the pain is a different kind of pain.  My arthritis medication does nothing for the severe pain I am experiencing. Has anyone else had similar side effects and how do I deal with this situation.  I did stop taking the arimidex and now I feel I am very vulnerable.

Thanks so much for your forum.  It is very helpful.

Julia

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear ashridge:  There is sufficient evidence to support that tamoxifen (and arimidex) reduce the risk of recurrance as well as cancer in the opposite breast significantly.  Having said that, the benefits must be weighed against the possible risks.  One question, though, has there been any attempt to treat the "discomfort" without stopping the medication?

[pumpsie]

A related discussion, arimidex and intestinal blockage--a cause?? was started.

[ashridge]

By attempt to treat discomfort, do you mean with localised cream (like estrogen cream)? Would that be OK to use? As the Arimidex prevents estrogen production I had sort of assumed it would not be wise to use something that re-introduced it to the body, or can you say if using this is permissible because so localised? I will ask at my check-up which is today, but would really like your opinion too.