How do I manage severe hot flashes and anxiety on Arimidex?

Managing side effects from aromatase inhibitors like anastrozole can be challenging, and reaching out to your oncology team is absolutely the right approach. Many in the breast cancer community have found relief through various strategies including cooling techniques for hot flashes, gentle exercise for joint pain, stress management techniques for anxiety, and sometimes medication adjustments - sharing experiences here can provide valuable insights and support as you navigate these symptoms.

I had no side effects… but my first round of breast cancer was when I was 33.. I’m 52 now and have metastatic. I took Arimidex for 2.5 months and had progression even with 90-100% ER+, I’m starting a clinical trial soon… think of the side effects as proof the drug is working and change your mind to be grateful for them. It will make you feel differently about them and might help. Everytime you have a symptom… be grateful the drug is working. And it’s better than chemo.

For joint/bone Pain, i was advised to use Claritin. I take it daily and gave had no issues. Everyone is different, but i find that exercise works best for my anxiety. For hot flashes, I have bedn doing acupuncture. It is working great. Ask you oncologist about referring you to integrative oncology.

I have my first appointment with integrative at the end of the month. Very excited. Odd that Claritin works. I had not heard that. I need to check it out!! That pretty cool. I am about to start a clinical trial. I need to check with them too. Thanks for the info!

I think they are going to start us all on that new drug in November! IMO at first glance it sounds great ...then it came to me we don't know the long term effects and/or real world numbers yet! Don't trust the initial numbers they are always doctored to help the drug companies! For example look at the glp-1 lawsuits that have started now.... they pushed the drug on everyone now people are having horrific permanent side effects. I really hope this is a miracle drug or at least 10% better than the older drugs but remaining sceptical especially when my oncologist said "zero" of his patients he's trialed had ANY side effects! Lol I literally laughed out loud! I said, "You should know by now I'm not stupid!" They ALL suppress estrogen that ALWAYS comes with side effects I hope it's good 🤞

Jill gabapentin helped tremendously! Especially with hot flashes at night/bed time! I take some right before bed and in the day time I only take a small dose bc it can make you sleepy. I also take anastrozole before bed that way I sleep through most of the side effects. I tried taking a few doses in the day time and I was shocked about anxiety attacks! I realized this must be happening while I sleep that's why I wake up more tired?? So what do you do? Wake up more groggy or have these anxiety/panic attacks at work?? I have to take it at night. Fyi the gabapentin may help with joint pain as well. Luckily I don't have that I think bc my job is physical labor so I've been able to keep moving! My job has helped prevent lymphoedema and joint pain so far! I have no idea if the Claritin does anything or it's a placebo?? Seems like they keep using that for all kinds of things??