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Arimidex bone pain:
is what we call an aromatase inhibitor (AI). In clinical use, it´s used to halt the progression of Breast Cancer in women. It works by blocking the aromatase enzyme, which is responsible for the production of estrogen. In athletics and bodybuilding, it is used as an ancillary compound to be added to a cycle of Anabolic Steroids. In this respect it is also used for its estrogen reducing properties, but it has the additional benefit of increasing testosterone levels, as we´ll see...
Arimidex Side EffectsMany anabolic steroids aromatize (convert to estrogen via the aromatase enzyme), and this is responsible for many of the unwanted side effects found with anabolic steroid use (acne, gynocomastia, water-retention, etc...). In one study, both .5mg and 1mg doses of Arimidex were shown to decrease estrogen by roughly 50%. The 1mg/day dose also increased testosterone levels by 58% (1). In that same study, in both groups, LH and FSH also went up slightly.
Take a look:
Changes in testosterone and E2 concentrations in normal young men (15 22 yr old) before () and after 10 days of oral anastrozole at 0.5 and 1 mg.(1)
This would seem to suggest that for use during a cycle, a dose of .5mgs/day would be sufficient to combat estrogen-related side effects. It is, however, important to remember that some estrogen is necessary to obtain optimal muscle growth. The lower estrogen levels provided by ´dex seems, anecdotally at least, to produce a more "hard" and "quality" look for bodybuilders who have experimented with it´s use in either a cutting or bulking cycle.
I´d like to point out that the elevation in Testosterone provided by Arimidex is so large that it can be used as a "form" of testosterone replacement therapy for hypogonadal men (2). Clearly, this suggests its use in a post-cycle-therapy (as well as its previously discussed use within a cycle) to regain natural testosterone levels and full functioning of the HPTA (Hypothalamic-Testicular-Pituitary-Axis).
Literature provided by the original maker of Anastrozole (Arimidex, produced by Zeneca Pharmaceuticals) states that stable blood plasma concentrations of the compound are achieved after a mere 7 consecutive 1mg daily doses. Also, Arimidex is just over 80% effective at inhibiting aromatase (3). Thus, if you want to take it for the entire duration of a cycle of anabolic steroids, you can simply start taking it on the same day you begin your cycle. Those are some pretty good numbers, huh?
But can you use it for the entire duration of a cycle? Is it dangerous? Well, certainly reducing estrogen levels in your body is good from a body building point of view, as it reduces water-retention and the potential for gynocomastia (if there´s no estrogen in your body, you can´t get gyno, regardless of how much progesterone is floating around)(5). Luckily this stuff is very mild on blood lipids (cholesterol) and doesn´t affect them adversely (2), in the studies I´ve seen.
Arimidex and CholestrolAs previously mentioned, those lowered estrogen levels could possibly (eventually) adversely affect your cholesterol and possibly even your immune function. I am, however, very comfortable recommending Arimidex for relatively long-term use. This should be the ancillary compound of choice for those on long and heavy cycles, especially since it also doesn´t inhibit igf like some other ancillary compounds (insulin-like-growth-factor is an important component of anabolism)(4).
Price of ArimidexThough price of Arimidex will vary, this is one of the compounds I will caution the reader from buying in its legitimate pharmaceutical form. The price (up to $5/tab) is absurd, when you consider its availability from Underground Labs, as well as in research form, for less than 1/3rd of that. I´ve used both the tabs from an Underground Lab, as well as the liquid version from research-sites, and found the results from both to be exactly the same.
References:
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2000 Jul;85(7):2370-7, "Estrogen Suppression in Males" Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2005 Feb;62(2):228-35. Arimidex Package insert J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2002 Apr;80(4-5):411-8. Progesterone is not essential to the differentiative potential of mammary epithelium in the male mouse. Freeman, Topper. Endocrinology. 1978 Jul;103(1):186-92 |
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Are Femera Arimidex and Aromasin With The Same Side Effects?I am wondering if there is anyone out there who finds the side effects the same on any of these drugs? I am getting a build up of side effects from Arimidex - been on it around 2 years. If I go onto either of the other drugs does anyone know if I will get the same side effects. I have been reading other peoples' messages and they all seem to have the joint pains, bones pains, tiredness and depression, whether on Arimidex or any of the other drugs. Is there anyone out there who had side effects from one drug not not another one. I am going to see my oncologist this week so wonder if I should change or will the side effects be the same. I have got steadily worse with the effects and am now noticing considerably, as each day goes by, that they are getting worse by the hour!
ArimidexRoz-I wish I could say that I do better on Femera than I did on Arimidex but have terrible joint, bone pain with it also. The oncologist did have me take an IV of Zometa and don't know if it is just coincidental but don't seem to be having quite as bad pain. Hope you get some relief.
Armidex Side EffectsI was on armidex, but stop taking it a month ago. The worst effects that i had were bone pain in my legs, headaches, I couldn't sleep. I could not concentrate at work and would forget to do things. I was very depressed and had to take time off from work. It was affecting my job. I have gained so much weight that I won't go anywhere. I felt like my life was over. The doctor said quality of life was more important then trying to keep the cancer from coming back and we would deal with it if it comes back. I feel better now.
hi JeanOnly just seen your message. I am taking my last Arimidex tomorrow and start Aromasin as from Tuesday, I can but try something different although the oncologist said I may get even worse side effects - I am willing to take the chance as I cannot stand the pain with Arimidex. I don't know if you are interested but I have found a brilliant web site in UK called www.breastcancercare.co.uk and there are loads of ladies who are very helpful in answering problems etc, they even have a coffee room, have a look at it. Regards Roz.
hi ShirleyThanks for your message regarding side effects of Arimidex. I am taking my last Arimidex tomorrow and start Aromasin as from Tuesday, I can but try something different although the oncologist said I may get even worse side effects - I am willing to take the chance as I cannot stand the pain with Arimidex. Are you taking anything at all or have you just come off everything? I am too scared to do that as I do not want the cancer to come back. I don't know if you are interested but I have found a brilliant web site in UK called www.breastcancercare.co.uk and there are loads of ladies who are very helpful in answering problems etc, they even have a coffee room, have a look at it. Regards Roz.
RE: hi Shirley On 10/2/2005 Roz57 wrote:Thanks for your message regarding side effects of Arimidex. I am taking my last Arimidex tomorrow and start Aromasin as from Tuesday, I can but try something different although the oncologist said I may get even worse side effects - I am willing to take the chance as I cannot stand the pain with Arimidex. Are you taking anything at all or have you just come off everything? I am too scared to do that as I do not want the cancer to come back. I don't know if you are interested but I have found a brilliant web site in UK called www.breastcancercare.co.uk and there are loads of ladies who are very helpful in answering problems etc, they even have a coffee room, have a look at it. Regards Roz.I was 51 years old when I was diagnosed with estrogen +ve breast cancer in 2004 - had mastectomy + chemo (nodes free) - Tamoxifen for two years - no side effects except hot flushes (which started with the chemo). Then doc changed me to Aromasin in January 2007, and in March the joint pain started. By June I could hardly walk, could not climb stairs, open jars or work taps (faucets) - thin sensitive skin etc. My life was a misery. Upon investigation, I found that aromatase inhibitors (AI's) all seem to have these side effects (on over 60% of users!). The drug companies underplay these effects, which seem to be a result of extremely low estrogen levels. In my case, the relative advantage of an AI over tamoxifen is negligible.At the end of June I persuaded my doc to change me back to tamoxifen, and despite the hot flushes, I am once again a very happy person, feeling my normal cheerful self - no joint pains, etc. Tamoxifen does not stop the formation of estrogen, but blocks any cancer cell from "eating" estrogen. The drug looks like estrogen, but is slightly different. Once a cancer cell has taken a bite of tamoxifen, it can't spit it out, nor can it "swallow" it, so the cell starves to death. This is my interpretation, anyway. Therefore theoretically, tamoxifen works with estrogen +ve cancer cells without interfering too much with the hormone levels in our bodies. We need a certain amount of estrogen to function properly.I feel that the drug companies are throwing out the baby with the bathwater as far as AI's are concerned, especially with regard to women who have no problem with the "old" tried and trusted tamoxifen.RegardsCharmaine
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