You do it because you are told it is good for you. All your joints ache, can't sleep, diarrhea, constipation, no memory, hot flashes, weight gain and not able to lose it. Can't get an insurance policy because you have to still take a medication as treatment, even though the medicine is supposedly preventing a recurrance. I quit and feel so much better. I'm living for quality not quantity now.

Wow,,, thought I was just getting too old too fast but I see others have had the same side effects. Have been on Arimidex for about 2 years. Tops of my feet tingle and it can be painfull to wear shoes laced snugly. Left thumb pain, all fingers aresore. Knee paid but I think that is related to weight and previous history of knee pain/injury before Arimidex. Hip pain when laying on my side. Previous history of LBP so do not feel Arimidex has influenced the pain I already have in back. Elbow pain sometimes at night. Had problems sleeping during first year but no problems now. I had hot flashes before Arimidex due to full historectomy at age 33 for endometriosis so it is nothing new for me. I have some hair thining but could be in genes,,mom has that problem too. Memory loss is bothersome,, especially because retaining info for my new job has been difficult at times. I also find I am not able to type as fast or as accurately as before. Not sure why but all of this is just fine with me as long as cancer does not come back.. PS: CANCER SUCKS

What choice do we really have? There are side effects that for whatever reason have not been made known I feel to Bone & Joint,Arthrithis,ect. Drs. or maybe we are still learning.Both of my thumbs now stick and I have knots in the fat part of the hand,hard like a rock.(termed Trigger finger)also on bottom of feet. My biggest scare is the breast that took radiation it hurst like it may fall off. If I stop taking the Arimidex the pain stops.Pain so bad no one can touch that breast. My liver enzemes were elevated so they went down with scope and found 2 strictures but couldn't go thur to small.We are still working on this.Need to mention my cholesteral is so high 285 but I cannot take a statin with these issues.The sweating and hot flashes and soar throat and weight gain are way down on the list,so if my liver can make it 2 more years and no cancer I guess this is an effective drug. Bottom line if you think you have a symtom thats new to you it is not in your head,I repeat it's not in your head.

This pill is as easy as taking an aspirin. I take it right before I go to bed. I have had no side effects that I know of other than maybe a little soreness. But I do have a little arthritis so that could be the cause of the soreness as well.

the only thing that bothers me is the sevear hot flushes,and the thinning of my hair

The hot flashes and sweating haven't let up since I started this drug 3 years ago. Also vaginal dryness if terrible. I have also developed nervous conditions such as increased anxiety and claustrophobia. I will suffer through it if it will prolong my life.

Taking this med for 3 yrs after radiation. Had left index trigger finger. (relieved to hear others had it too); thinning hair. Had high BP but don't know whether it was because of Arimidex. Now BP very high and referred to cardiologist who did echocardiogram which showed thickened heart muscle. After checking info on internet found some possible causal relationship to heart problem because Arimidex depletes body calcium (for which taking Fosamax and Caltrate with D) also experience lightheadedness which could be heart related or medication. Thanks so much for sharing; very appreciated. God Bless us all.

Surgery and radiation almost 2 years ago, then Arimidex. Experience hot flashes and wrist joint pain particularly in the morning. On exercise and diet program and lost 15 lbs. so energy level is fine. I am not a gambler, but the odds are better with this drug. Just keep a positive attitude and enjoy life each day.

Starting 5th year on arimidex. 10 lbs wt gain only side effect. Take Vitamins D & calcium twice daily to counteract possible bone loss. Exercise and Yoga are lifesavers!

Started taking in Jan'09 following lumpectomomy, mamo-site radiation, and chemo. Only NEW symptom I have is vaginal dryness, which can be treated with OTC preparations. Already had stiffness in hips, hands, ankles in the morning and after sitting for a long period--haven't determined stiffness is worse or same. Goes away within a few minutes of becoming active.

Started in August, will have second visit with oncologist in November. New to this. I was diagnosed with DCIS and had lumpectomy, then removal after margins were not clear. Stage 0 at diagnosis. My cancer was discovered on Mammography. I always have routine tests to keep me healthy as best as possible. I don't let sleeping dogs lie. Very important to take care of ourselves-----------

Some side effects. Minor joint pain I can live with. No weght gain, no nausea, no hair loss and no HOT FLASHES!! I take the med in the morning prior to leaving for work now. When I took the med at bed time, I had experienced occasional insomnia, and I woke up with stiff joints/muscles.