Monday, July 23rd, after consulting with Dr. Loprinzi, we decided to have me stop taking anastrozole. (Arimidex). It has been 5 years since I started the drug after breast cancer surgery and radiation. All how long after stopping arimidex for E2 to I stopped the dose about a month ago for a little bit and was able to have the best wood/moon I x27;ve had in years On tamoxifen x27;restarted x27; period after none for 3 years On tamoxifen x27;restarted x27; period after none for 3 years. What happens to your body. What happens to your body when you go off Arimidex after 5 years? Asked 3 Jan 2011 by Buckshot1 Updated 8 September 2011 Topics arimidex, breast cancer. Answer this question. Responses (3) SU. suecarol1 7 Jan 2011. I would like to know that answer also. I started taking Arimidex in september of 2010 but have been taking Gleevec for CML since 2005. JU. jules56081 28. I am also new to this site.looking for an answer: how long do the Arimidex side effects last after stopping the drug? Unlike your accts of experience with Arimidex, I've only been on it since 10/1/11, not quite 3 months & have given up (12/27/11). But the risk of recurrence is highest during the first 3 years after your initial diagnosis and treatment. Hormonal therapy medicine is usually prescribed for 5 years after initial treatment for women who had hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer to lower the risk of recurrence. Hi, I first started taking Arimidex for 3 years,then changed to Femara due to pain and aches in my bones and muscles.The side effects were much less aggravating with Femara,but it still caused fatigue,indigestion,muscle pain and weight gain. I have two years remaining for my Tamoxifen but they said that Arimidex complements after stopping Tamoxifen for three years. So they want me to switch for the two years with Arimidex. My lympthnodes were not attacked they took out three and they were fine. What Happens, Side Effects, When You Stop Taking Arimidex After 5 Years? I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, I was 40 years old, this was in 2003. Stopping aromatase inhibitors early I stopped taking my Arimidex after three years because I was having endless muscle aches and too many urinary tract infections. I am coming up to my 5 year anniversary of my diagnosis, and am having anxiety about my stopping hormone therapy prematurely.