Topic: Arimidex - Coping with the SE's

Apr 7, 2012 05:41 PM, edited Aug 10, 2012 10:46 AM by SunflowersMA

Apr 7, 2012 07:43 PM patoo wrote:

Exercise also helps with mood.  Just a brisk walk releases the endorphins which helps. 

I started taking Biotin about 2 months ago but read recently that it can take up to a year to see positive results (I'm taking it for my really horrible, paper soft, nails). 

spunkyboobster, I find that being on these boards can become a way of life that causes severe neglect in other parts of life so I no longer spend hours each day here.  I come to this thread because of the valuable information that can be gleaned.  I do the "daily" exercise thread to keep me motivated to move; post on  a weekly weigh-in thread for further motivation to watch my health.  One or two simple game threads and one or two prayer threads.  I don't post on them all every day.  Occasionally I'll see something on "Active Topics" that I may post to but that's about it.  I would guess I no longer spend any more than about 1 to 1-1/2 hours on each day. 

Matter of fact I'll be off in about 10 mins - my Kindle is calling.

Apr 7, 2012 07:49 PM mimi1964 wrote:

Patoo - yes I actually took the gluc/chond for about 3-4 months and I've been and I am still taking Vit D3 everyday. 

Apr 7, 2012 09:46 PM ginger_mea wrote:

Ruth, can you live with me? hahaha.... I need you following me around talking in my ear all the positives!  Thanks for your imput.  Ginger M.

Apr 8, 2012 12:21 PM Gingerbrew wrote:

Mrs M I too have neuropathy and I hope it doesn't get worse. I have it the worst in my feet but also in myhands. I started getting it with chemo and noticed that Arimidex made it get worse. I don't know yet if the Aromasin is effecting it or not. The electrical like feelings hurt and burn and can be very shock like. . I have had them now for about a year and a half. 

Apr 8, 2012 01:30 PM, edited Apr 8, 2012 02:12 PM by chef127

Apr 8, 2012 01:39 PM Gingerbrew wrote:

Chef, I am about a year ahead of you in treatment. I have had your symptoms and my menopause was ab out 15 years ago from hyst. My symptoms have been from chemo and some from rads. I had poor tolerance from Arimidex generic, Onc put me on a vacation from it and then onto Aromasin. I am doing so much beter with aromasin generic. The SE's no matter how difficult are better than recurrance in opinion.  I wish you all the best of luck as you join us.

There is a lot of good advice here to get you going and to keep you going!  

Gingerbrew

Apr 8, 2012 11:26 PM Katarina wrote:

GingerBrew -- what are the side effects from Aromisin for you?  

My onc put me on a vacation from Arimidex but I'm not going back on it. The fatigue is way too much for me to have a life. I value the AI's but there's got to be another one that I can live with .

I'm still young, or at least I thought I was. I was more infirm than my 87 year old mother when on Arimidex.

Hugs 

Apr 9, 2012 04:43 PM beau wrote:

Hi Chef and Katrina,

I am sorry to hear what you are going through! I have found Arimidex to be tough, but after a year and a half in, it is better - not great, but better. I think part of it is that my body has adjusted to the lack of estrogen, part of it is that I have adjusted some of my eating and exercise habits and part of it is getting some distance on the active treatment part of the journey (mastectomy and chemo for me). 

Please give yourself some space before making a categorical decision not to take anything. You have been through so much already with the fear that diagnosis brings, surgery, rads, etc). I was anemic, had neuropathy and then had major arthritis and blues when I started Arimidex. 

With my onc's help, I took meds to help me get through the first 6 months - pain pills, muscle relaxers (I have 3 herniated disks in my neck that went nuclear with the arthritis that came with Arimidex)., anti-anxiety pills,, sleeping pills, NSAIDs. OK, so not everyone is comfortable being a walking pharmacy, but I just wanted to get to the 6 month mark before I made a decision.Even with that, I took a 2 week break when I got carpel tunneil in both wrists simultaneously! (Some folks here have taken  6 weeks or  longer with their onc's blessing. Supposedly, 55% of folks who quit and re-start on the same or another AI have much improvement.)

Fast forward to a year and a half later - I now take 1/2 a NSAID when needed, an occasional pain pill (long car or plane trip), and 1 anti-anxiety pill at night to help me sleep and manage my neck's muscle spasms.  In my case, I am 52 with younger kids (ages 11 and 13) so that has also been a motivating factor. 

Recently, I learned that the "side effects" profile of Arimidex is that roughly 33%v of folks can have arthritis while on Aromasin only about 8% have arthritis. I am actually thinking of trying Aromasin just to see if my arthritis improves since it is a constant challenge.

I don't know if my experience is at all useful to you, but I know that every step of this journey is tough.  I found this thread indespendable early on when I felt overwhelmed with how old I had become, seemingly overnight. Things have improved - I am not the old me, but I am certainly feeling positive about my daily routines and way of life. 

I wish you peace in whatever you decide. Best, Beau 

Apr 9, 2012 07:11 PM, edited Apr 9, 2012 07:12 PM by KittyDog

I will say that my joint pain was so much better that I thought maybe I had finally gotten out of that stage.  The knee pain is back this week and the only thing I can contribute it too is the LE in that leg and the fact I haven't had any motrin in three weeks.  I had to stop it 10 days before surgery and I haven't gone back on it yet do to the fact I am still taking a pain pill at night.  so when I get my stitches out Wed....Motrin is going back in my pill pack.  I was taking 2...400mg at bedtime.  It must have been helping because I am back having problems getting up even.  grrr.

Oh and if he would say Wed he can do my other hand anytime...I would jump at it.  I immediately got relief from the trigger thumb.  The middle finger seems to be not quite right.  I am thinking I will need some PT for it.  It doesn't hurt just sticks up higher than the other fingers.  Might be the stitches.

Apr 10, 2012 02:44 AM Katarina wrote:

Agreed. Your post Beau was inspiriing. I think I'll ask for aromisin next visit. I just don't know how to handle the fatigue.I've been off Arimidex over two weeks now and didn't get up until 11:00am and then took a 3 hour nap in the afternoon.  It's estrogen deficiency I am almost sure.

 Hugs 

Apr 10, 2012 04:05 PM LovesChristmas-Barb wrote:

I have been having problems with my right hand for the last two months. It started about a month after starting Arimidex and has persisted through my switch to Femara. I took the advice of the wonderful ladies on here and purchased a wrist splint with velcro straps yesterday and wore it to bed last night for the first time. I've noticed however, that today my wrist hurts more than it did before. Did I do something wrong or is this normal?

Thank you for any replies! I'm having a crazy day getting ready to host my mom's 88th birthday dinner party tonight. The dusting and vacuuming have been more difficult than usual due to this achy hand....

Apr 10, 2012 08:09 PM, edited Apr 12, 2012 09:26 PM by Bogie

I was taken off ARIMIDEX due to side effects, mostly swollen hands, wrists, feet and ankles, along with mouth sore and dizzy,sweaty anxiety. I just had another surgery due to capsular contracture around my tissue expander so It was a good time for a break. I had only been on it 3 weeks haha. Now that surgery is over and my Oncologist is starting me on Aromasin (generic exemestane). I am delaying startinguntil I heal a little more, or I'm just making an excuse cause I feel so GREAT being off the Arimidex,

I know I have to suck it up and start something again..dang thought it was just a bad dream!

I'll keep you posted on my experience with Aromasin vs Arimidex. My MO acts like no one has ever had depression or anxiety on these drug..Ahhhhhh yeah!

Stay tuned..

Apr 10, 2012 08:24 PM, edited Apr 10, 2012 08:34 PM by KittyKitty

Apr 10, 2012 10:36 PM Layla2525 wrote: