Mbhatters5

Hi,

I finished 6 months of weekly chemo treatments this past May.  I received Navelbine weekly along with Avastin every other week.  I can honestly say that I had very few side effects.  Like others have mentioned I had very dry nasal passages and a little bleeding when I would blow my nose.  I got tired more easily, but I think it was a combination of chemo treatements, rads, and surgery.  I was getting pretty severe headaches on the premeds (Aloxi) so my onco took me off them and I didn't have any problem with nausea while on the Avastin.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes to your wife as she begins treatment.

Melissa

Hi Tym,

I had vision problems similar to what you're describing, but it happened before I started Arimidex.  I finished 6 mos. of Navelbine/Avastin in May, but near the end of treatment both eyes got progressively blurry and cloudy.   It was horrible!  I couldn't read print or see the computer screen.  I normally only wear glasses for reading.  My optomolgist said I had an inflammation on my corneas, but he had never seen anything like it before.  My onc was puzzled as well.  I even went to a corneal specialist and he wasn't sure what is was.  He put me on steroid drops.  I'm convinced it was a SE from all of the chemo, even though it's one that has not been associated with the drugs I was on at the time.

Putting all of these drugs and such into our bodies definitely takes a huge toll.  We are all so different in how our bodies respond to treatment.  The good news is that my eyesight did clear up on its own over the course of 2 weeks.  I went in for a follow-up a few weeks ago and my eyes are completely back to normal. 

I hope your eyesight clears up quickly.  Let us know how you are doing.

Melissa

Wish-I'm sorry your symptoms are worse this week.  Does your scalp tenderness come and go?  Mine seems to.  I got my hair cut today and it hurt like the dickens when my stylist was brushing out my hair!  Now that I finally have hair again I'm so fearful that it's going to start falling back out. :(   I also started spotting a little bit this week for the first time in a year.  Something else to worry about! 

Tym-I pray that you are one of the fortunate ones that have minimal SE's.  This is my second month on Arimidex and (so far) my SE's are not too bad. 

Melissa

Binney,

Thank you so, so much!  The study you quoted is excellent!  I will definitely use that as a resource to show my docs.  I felt in my gut that I should probably seek the help of a LE therapist right away, but, of course, my docs were saying "wait and see."  It definitely makes more sense to be proactive, especially when dealing with something as serious as LE. :(

Melissa

Hi Binney,

My situation is similar to MBpetit. I had a right mast. in Nov. with ANB and 9/20 nodes.  Overall my recovery has been good, but in June I had some tenderness/stiffness in my right arm for about a week that I have never experienced before.  I mentioned it the PA when I was at my onc's office for a follow-up since starting Arimidex.  She didn't seem overly concerned--just told me to keep a close eye on my hand/arm for any swelling. 

You offer such wise counsel for all of us on these boards and I would value your opinion as to whether or not I should make an appt. with an LE therapist at this point in time.  I'm so worried that what I experienced in my arm is the beginning of LE!  My arm feels fine now.  I have been doing daily stretches and try to do yoga 3 - 4 times a week.  It really seems to help with the stiffness.

 I, too, really appreciated all of the information you posted above!  Thanks so much for taking the time to listen and share!

Melissa

OmahaGirl--Like you said, "whewwww!"  Your body has been through a lot in just a short period of time.  Allow yourself the opportunity to rest and heal and ease slowly back into things.  I know after each treatment I often felt as if I had been run over by a truck.  I just had to give myself permission to take naps and not feel guilty if something didn't get done.  Sometimes it's so hard to know whether an ache or pain is normal or if it's a SE.  I've been on Arimidex for over a month and had a few hot flashes at first, but haven't noticed any recently (makes me wonder if the drug is working!).  Like WishIwere mentioned, stiffness and aches in the muscles and joints seems hit most of us on Arimidex.  And my brain has definitely suffered from the chemo and drug treatments.  Very frustrating.  I find myself making more lists and writing notes to myself to remember things.  :)  Take care of yourself!

I'm also questioing whether or not I'm really in memopause for good.  I'm 44 years old.  I haven't had a period since last summer after I started chemo.  Blood tests showed that I was indeed post-menopausal so my onc started me on Arimidex.  I experienced a few hot flashes initially, but haven't really noticed any in the past few days.  I've also had extreme vaginal dryness, plus my face is breaking out a bit.  I've noticed a little bit of a discharge (not bloody) which I haven't had in months!  I feel like my hormones are going crazy!  I guess I'll wait it out to see if I start my period again.  But it IS frustrating waiting and wondering if I'm taking the right medication.

Wishiwere,

You mentioned "hair aches" in your last post and am wondering if I'm experiencing the same thing.  I've only been on Arimidex for a little over 3 weeks and I was noticing that my scalp feels tender in some spots--similar to when my hair fell out on chemo.  I was thinking it may have been from being out in the sun over the weekend.  Is that what you've experienced? 

I, too, love these threads for the much needed emotional support.  Many of us have chemo and surgeries behind us, but we still fight this disease daily, and the Arimidex is a reminder of that.  I have an amazing, supportive family and community of friends who blessed me tremendously through treatment and surgeries.  But now that I've made it through those things and "look good" I think many people think that I have completely won the BC fight and can now move on with my life.  I certainly don't fault them for their thinking because most have never had cancer and have experienced what we have.  But it's so nice to have a community of sisters who understand and are so willing to share and listen.  Thank you!!

melissa

Hi ladies,

I will be starting Arimidex this week and am very nervous about taking it.  I just finished 6 months of Navelbine and Avastin.  I started treatment last July with 8 rounds of AC/Taxol, then lumpectomy, right mast., and rads.  I'm celebrating the fact that I made it through a year of treatment and just don't want to put anything else into my body right now.  But I'm also afraid to NOT take it!  Blood tests confirm that I'm post menopausal. 

I'm so glad that this thread was started!!  I'm looking forward to being a part of this community!

Melissa