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  • soaplady1950
    soaplady1950 Member Posts: 55
    edited July 2009

    i know this is not about hair or  maybe it is, can everyone that is either on femara or arimidex tell me what the side effects have been so far they want me to start taking it and i just don't know about another poison i have had enough of having my body messed with.  help opinions are appreciated. 

     sharon

  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 127
    edited July 2009

    Chelev, mine grew in exactly the same way as yours.  I had this patch right on top of my head that looked bald.  There was actually hair there but it was much lighter than the rest so it looked baldish.  I found that lightly brushing some dark eyeshadow or eyebrow powder worked pretty good on that area and helped to blend it all in.  It all eventually grew in and now you can't tell that area was thinner than the rest.

  • Maggie63
    Maggie63 Member Posts: 45
    edited July 2009

    Lainey:  You're giving me hope!!!!!   My top front and sides are so thin compared to the rest - but I had that very same kind of hair pre-chemo  -  thin on top front and sides - so I've been discouraged so far, but maybe, hopefully, it will eventually get more volume like yours did  -  I need to have more patience I guess.  

    I'm going to try to make it to the beauty salon this time!  I chickened out last week!!  Thanks to Christy, I got more confidence now  -  that the trim will get rid of the ends that grew in with chemo chemicals - so cutting them from time to time makes sense.  I never thought of it that way  -  thanks Christy!!!!   I was just so upset about cutting away what I had longed for for that ever so long time of being bald/fuzzy. 

    THANK YOU, LADIES!!!!!

    Will keep you posted!  Have a great day, everyone!!

    Maggie 

  • chelev
    chelev Member Posts: 417
    edited July 2009

    Good suggestion, Lainey!  I remember you saying that a while back, I think when I first joined.  that gives me hope - it seems like mine is growing in like yours did.

    I am so thrilled . . . such a silly little thing, but I found I actually need to use gel or smoothing lotion to tame the ostritch and other hairs - they are long enough to need to be smoothed down.  Like I said, such a little thing, but hey, it's the first time I've needed product since April.  Woo hoo!

  • goldie0827
    goldie0827 Member Posts: 6,835
    edited July 2009

    Sharon, I have been on Arimidex for about 9 months. I take it in the morning. In the evening, when I get up from watching tv, my feet hurt. But only for a minute, then I am fine. Sometimes at nite, I have a little pain in the joints in my fingers. And thats it for me. I can deal with that if it is going to help keep BC away. Everyone is different though. So just because these are my SE, doesn't mean you will get them.

    Lori

  • DENRulzBC
    DENRulzBC Member Posts: 99
    edited July 2009

    Hi Everyone,

    It'll be a week tomorrow since I spotted the peach fuzz, I can't wait to need product like you Chelev!  My husband called this morning and asked what I was doing, said I was using the hair dryer, he started laughing, asked what on earth I was drying.  I had a spot on my shirt and and had used spot remover and was just drying it.  I had to laugh. Laughing It's been since the end of April since I've needed any thing "hair like"  I can't wait to need it again!  HUGS, Dawn

  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 503
    edited July 2009

    You're very welcome Maggie! Anything I can do to help!

     Hey,  I am one day PFC!!!!  And can't wait to get past the next 3 weeks and hopefully my hair will start in. I am going to start Biotin then too, that is when my onc said to start using it. He said it is hit and miss with people, but I am willing to try anything.

  • Maggie63
    Maggie63 Member Posts: 45
    edited July 2009

    Christy:  Congrats on being PFC!!!!!  Yes, now you are going to be 'glued' to the mirror  -  lol  -  it seems I can't pass a mirror without giving a close look to see if any more has grown each and every day. 

    I am going to ask my onc if I should take Biotin.  It seems alot of the gals on here take it - and again, if it doesn't work, oh well  -  but I'll never know unless I try  -  hey, anything at this point!!!! 

    Keep us posted as to your 'growth'.

    Hugs,    Maggie 

  • goldie0827
    goldie0827 Member Posts: 6,835
    edited July 2009

    Maggie, you go by mirrors looking in them, I do just the opposite. I try not to look.

    Christy, congrats on being done with chemo. During chemo, it just seems like it's never going to end. But such a relief when it does! Are you on to rads?

    Come on girls, lets see some pictures!

    Hugs, Lori

  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 127
    edited July 2009

    When I first started going wigless at work, I would steer clear of the mirrors (there are a lot of them in our office!).  It seemed like my scalp was shining under all these bright lights.  I really hated seeing my reflection in the window when I'd get into cars too. 

    Maggie, you should give the Biotin a try!

    Christy, congrats on finishing chemo!!!!

  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 503
    edited July 2009

    Thanks so much everyone! 

    Lori....Yes I will start rads in 4 weeks. I am not looking forward to it, but I am hoping it will go by fast.

    Maggie...I think I am going to take a pic of myself every week so I can 'hopefully' see a difference.

  • Maggie63
    Maggie63 Member Posts: 45
    edited July 2009
    Christy:   Good idea!!!!   That's what I did, but I took pics once a month.  Since the onset of bc(the beast) I have kept a journal and have the pics that show the growth progress, included in that journal. 
  • Maggie63
    Maggie63 Member Posts: 45
    edited July 2009

    Sharon:  I am on Femara for about 6-1/2 months.  I take mine after lunch - no particular reason, it just so happens that was the time of day when I started, so I just kept it at around the same time each day. 

    I have noticed some aches and stiffness in my fingers.  Shoulders too - can't lift my arms too high, and hardly can reach behind my back. My PCP has me taking Calcium-D, 600 mg, twice a day.  Even though it's OTC supplement, don't take anything on your own - check with your PCP or your onc first.  Has your onc sent you for a Bone Density test???  I am scheduled for one next month.  I don't know much about Arimidex, but I would imagine the two are not very different.  But a possible SE from Femara is Osteoporosis.  That's why a bone density test is necessary  -  I think my onc had said it should be done once a year.  Like Lori, I can deal with that if it is going to help keep BC away. And like Lori said, everyone is different!  You may not notice any SE's or you may get something different.  But, I don't think any of the possible SE's are unbearable or dangerous. 

    Good luck - keep posting!!!!  

    Hugs,  Maggie

  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 403
    edited July 2009

    Today was great!!  I saw my surgeon who gave me the go ahead to do whatever activities I wanted to do including riding my horse!  Unfortunately - she is a little bit lame so I have to wait a week or two before I can ride her.

    I was sitting down with my husband and stepson tonight to do our weekly bible study.  I had my legs folded underneath me and looked at them in the light and said OH MY - I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!  My stepson asked "what?"  I said "I have hair on my legs!!!"  In fact it is between 1/4" and 1/2" long and I never noticed it before but I NEED TO SHAVE!  My stepson replied "Only YOU would get excited about having hair on your legs"

    I got brave enough to just wear a cap to my BC support group last night and showed everyone my hair and they said it was coming in thick but I always had a lot of hair before so that isn't surprising me.  It is much darker though.  I don't have so much on the sides of my scalp but the top of my scalp is thick of hair - too bad it is so darn short.  I am not ready to go without a wig or a hat yet.

    I finally did the math correctly - I am 6 weeks PFC as of today - for some reason I thought I was further along from chemo. 

  • Lisa1964
    Lisa1964 Member Posts: 760
    edited July 2009

    Jancie - Isn't it odd to get excited about having to shave your legs!!!  I was back to shaving at about 5 weeks PFC.  My head hair is coming in really dark too.  But I think that with being a horse person, I/we spend so much time outdoors our hair stays sun bleached, so what is coming in fresh is our true color.  Sorry your horse is lame, I hope it is minor.

    Lisa

  • donnadio
    donnadio Member Posts: 674
    edited July 2009

    Talk about laughing goin thru this. IT is not even a month yet.. Friday is in fact.. and I go to the mirror more than once a day, looking as if hair is miraculously goin to appear!!!!This is goin to be a LONG process if I keep doin this!!!! LOLOL...

     I ordered another wig and it is a totally different color and style. At least it is straight as it appears hair will come back curly.

    GOOD luck with all the hair coming back!!! WE can do this !!!!

    Donna

  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 127
    edited July 2009

    I got excited about having to shave my legs again for about 30 seconds.  Now it seems like it grows faster than before!  I put off shaving it for as long as possible because the hair grew in baby fine.  Now it's back to normal plus some!   I only wish the hair on my head grew that fast. :)

  • Lisa1964
    Lisa1964 Member Posts: 760
    edited July 2009

    I just got my first hair cut!!!!  Yes it was tough tolose some of what little I have, but it really needed to be evened up and the porcupine hairs had to go!  I have a neckline now that looks like I chose this hair on purpose.  I probably still won't have bangs for another 2 months, but what I have is laying better.

    Lisa 

  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 127
    edited July 2009

    Yeah Lisa!! It's a great feeling to be in that chair, isn't it?!?

  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 503
    edited July 2009

    Good for you, Lisa!! that will make it feel so much better and will feel thicker too.

    I have had to shave my legs about 3 times throughout chemo. I had a lot of stray, wild hairs that were noticeable.

  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 925
    edited July 2009

    Whoooo for a haircut Lisa.  BTW, we want pictures......

  • donnadio
    donnadio Member Posts: 674
    edited July 2009

    Exciting news for a first hair cut.. Lisa.. how long did it take to get to the cut? Not shaving yet.. it will be a month Friday since my last tx?!!!Who knew hair on my legs would be excitng to see!!!

  • chelev
    chelev Member Posts: 417
    edited July 2009

    Lisa, you had great coverage when I saw you last, so I can imagine it must be even thicker now!  Congratulations!!

    Started shaving my legs daily again last week, darn it.  Underarms still kind of thin, which is good, because its still a little irritated from rads.

    Anyone recommend a good gel or something to help keep my little ostritch hairs laying flat?  I never used gel before, just smoothing cream or lotion, and that doesn't really work here - nothing to blow out or flat iron yet.  Suspect that will be a while yet . . .

  • Mocity
    Mocity Member Posts: 80
    edited July 2009

    I am loseing my eyelashes again! I am 5-6 months out having finished in Jan09.  They feel out for the first time 2 months after chemo, came back and are falling out again.  Anyone else experience this???  My hair is bad enough and wish the lashes would stay put.

  • Maggie63
    Maggie63 Member Posts: 45
    edited July 2009

    Hey Ladies,

    I DID IT!!!!!  I got my haircut today  -  (after chickening out last week)  -  thanks to Lainey and Christy's advice!!!  thanks, girls!!

    Lisa:  Congrats  -  I'm so glad you did it too!!!!  Good feeling, hah???    Post a pic, Lisa!!!! 

    After the cut, I even got up the nerve to go out wigless today!  There's still alot of growing to be done, especially top/front  -  the stylist told me she sees some new hair growing in that area - I sure hope so  -  I don't care if it comes in thick, I just want volume - so that my scalp won't be showing. 

    I thank all of you for your encouragement, advice, etc. -  this is such a great sisterhood we have going here!!!!  

    Here's a pic as of a few minutes ago

  • goldie0827
    goldie0827 Member Posts: 6,835
    edited July 2009

    Awwwww Maggie, you are adorable. Just want to give you a great big hug! Doesn't look like you are gonna get the curls!

    God Bless

    Lori

  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 127
    edited July 2009

    Maggie, you look fantastic!  I'm really happy for you.  I bet your hair will really start to thicken up without the wig clogging 'em up!  I'm so thrilled for you and agree with Goldie, you are adorable.  *HUGS*

  • Maggie63
    Maggie63 Member Posts: 45
    edited July 2009

    awwww-  thank you ladies!!!!   I just love the sisterhood we all share on here!!!!   It's actually BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Hugs right back at ya!!!!

    Maggie

  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 503
    edited July 2009

    Chelev... You could try some pomade, it won't dry stiff like gel does.

    Maggie..You don't need the wig anymore!! You look GREAT without it. I am so glad you got a trim!

  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 925
    edited July 2009
    Maggie~ You look wonderful!!  Ditch the wig Smile

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