Arimidex
Comments
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I'll join the sore feet, hot flash, rings too tight group!. I started Arimedex in May. My feet and hands are getting better over time (or I'm geting used to it). I've taken glucosamine/chrondroitin for a couple years - and tylenol arthritis every morning. Had my rings re-sized - my knuckles are bigger - might be the ibandronate trial drug. Trigger finger problems -- but nothing that limits my function...just weird and annoying. Hot flashes have steadily improved -- i have found my triggers -- food with refined sugars and simple carbs -- when I stay away from those, I have only a few mild flashes during the day and none at night. And it's helped me to drop a few pounds.
Have to endure --- small price for cancer prevention!
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Thanks Kathy - good tip to look for triggers.
One of my triggers is everytime I post that I have no hip pain, I sign off of BCo and then stand up to a pain. Maybe I need to not post that I am pain-free!
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Trigger for my hot flashes:
Every evening as the hot Florida sun sinks below the horizon and the air conditioner finally overcomes the stifling heat and humidity and the temperature in the house drops below 78F and DH settles in his recliner and speaks the dreaded words, "I think it is chilly in here," that's when I break out in the first hot flash of the day. It's like clockwork. True.
Pam
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Pam, I am sitting here in my warm, humid Alabama house, laughing at your comment. Oh, what you say is so true! (Seriously, the most reliable trigger for my hot flashes is getting tensed up or slightly riled up about something.)
Actually, I wanted to write to say how much I'm enjoying this thread. I've been on Arimidex for, oh, ... (counting the months) ... almost 15 months. I started it in late June 2008, 3 weeks after my last Taxotere/Cytoxan treatment. I've had, or am having, all the SE's that have been described here. But, as JO and patoo keep saying, if given a choice, I'd take these SE's over a BC recurrence, any day. I am 57 years old, and went through natural menopause 6-1/2 years ago. So, I really do have to admit that some of what I'm blaming on Arimidex probably would be happening anyway. For those of you who are much younger or were forced into menopause by surgery or drugs, it's probably way more difficult.
Don't know if I would want to stay on this drug for 10 years instead of 5, but I don't have to decide that for quite awhile.
otter
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I'm with you Otter. It will be hard to think about ending an AI after 5 years. I did not do any chemo, just radiation, so feel like all my eggs are in the Arimidex basket. I am trying to do my part; doctoring, weight loss, diet, no alcohol, exercise-exercise-exercise. It is a full time job trying to be healthy. I don't know how the women with young children and jobs do it. God bless them.
Pam
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I thought I'd check out this thread since I started taking arimidex today. Will have to wait and see what se's I get from it. But after reading the posts here, it seems that I may already have a headstart on some of the remedies. :-) I have been taking vitamin E for years now and Omega 3 fish oil for a little over a year. Hopefully, the stiffy, achy body joints won't increase too much. Either way....whatever se's that occur...will be better than the alternative.
Bless you all!
Roxanne
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Pam, no alcohol? I don't know if I can take "healthy" to that level!
I dropped off my prescription order for Arimidex at the drugstore today, but didn't pick it up. Probably tomorrow. Like Roxanne, I've been taking some of the recommended supplements for years. Fish oil, calcium with D, glucosamine/chondroitin. Sure hope they help. I'm also taking the Effexor generic for hot flashes. Menopause returned with a vengence after discontinuing HRT, which is badly missed.
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The no alcohol thing is hard for me too! I drink socially and I really don't want to give it up. There is some link to bc and alcohol though. I figure I have about 2 to 3 drinks per week. Maybe there are some weeks when I don't have any or I may have 4 drinks another week. I don't think that is excessive, do you??? I have been trying to avoid soy and I am losing weight because a lot of foods have soy in them so I'm not eating them. I guess that is a good thing since I've gained 30 lbs since I got married 19 years ago. I was supper skinny (that's what I'm telling myself) back then!!
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Hi CaroleH and Sukiann,
Well, I am not quite a teetotaler... I do have a glass or two of wine on Saturday night. My med oncologist told me not to have my standard one glass of wine each night. She said "statistics" show a higher recurrence rate for daily consumers but no increase for a drink or two on the weekend, for instance. So I am following her suggestions. I'm sure I'm doing something else wrong that negates any good the no-drinking brings to the equation.
Too many do's and don'ts. I wonder if it all makes any difference in the long run.
Congrats on joining the Arimidex club, Carole. I hope you have no problems and it does all the good stuff for you, and all of us.
Pam
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peek-a-boo!!! Will have more time on Friday and will post.
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I have just had my 2+ year dexascan. I had one done two weeks before I started Arimidex and now have a follow up. I have lost a lot of bone or whatever you call it. I now am in the osteopenia range and before I was way better than I should be for my age.
Any ladies in the same situation after more than 2 years on Arimidex. Are you taking meds. I have taken vitamins for the past 4 years and of course have upped them recently, the last two. I walk but I am going to increase my exercise and I eat like I should.
Anyone taking meds. I don't want to do that. I already take Arimidex and thyroid meds. Ugh
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My baseline bone mineral density indicated osteopenia even before starting the Arimidex. Although I'm taking calcium and vit D, I may be giving Zometa a try.
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MY oncologist prescribed Zometa infusions for me. The IV is given 2 times a year. The first one caused severe aches in my bones for a few days, but there were no problems after the second infusion
. I am having side effects from the Arimidex which includes fatigue, joint/shoulder/neck pain, night sweats and some swelling in my ankles, knees, and feet
. I have completed 1/5 years and I plan to prevail because of the strong family history of breast cancer which includes my father in 1986( died from the disease), a sister in 2007( stage 0 and doing well), and a sister in 2009 (stage 0, just completed radiation and doing well). I am also on four medicines for hypertension. My quality of life isn't great right now, but I am thankful for each day and I try to remain positive. 0 -
I picked up my 1st bottle of Arimidex today. Examined the pills. My, they're small and white to cause so much misery. Started reading the printed material. Is there any possible SE not listed? Somewhere down the list must be "leads to divorce"!
I might start taking it right away or I might wait until Oct 1st. My copay was the same for all premium drugs, $35, so at least it's affordable. I know some women on this thread are paying a high price. I tell myself, Be Positive.
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Yep after a year of arimidex, I went from normal dexa scan to osteopenia so my onc put me on Zometa 2x/yr. I've had 3 infusions and the only se's I've had are after the first infusion (flu like symtoms for a couple of days). Zometa has shown promise in preventing bone mets so I was delighted when my onc agreed to put me on it.
Yep I do enjoy a good glass of wine or a drink...try to cut back but I sure have more than a couple of glasses a wine on Saturday night (way to go Pam!!!!)
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After 3 years,on arimidex I'm on Boniva, my doc wouldn't prescribe the infusions, so I take it monthly. Yes it is hard to try and do all the things they say you should do, but as long as we do what we can, such as exercise, eat right (thats hard) the list seems to go on and on but we've got to keep up the fight for it is all worth it. Yes I do also enjoy a drink, especially after a hard day at work. It seems there are alot more of us that have bc than you realize, I found out that 2 of my neighbors have bc and I've known them for a couple of years, it is a small world. A positive attitude is important so keep 0
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Hi McGaffey...my bone density submarined after 18 months on arimidex...I took fosamax D
I finished up my five years over three years ago now and my bone density is now holding and
even getting better so I stopped the fosamax..hope it will continue to be stable..I take
calcium and Vitamin D3..have been all along..
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I have been on Arimidex since the middle of December 2008 and had my dexa scan last week .....this was exactly one year after my last one. The bone density in my hips has increased
.................... BUT the bone density in my spine has decreased
. I will be starting Fosamax due to the spine.I have been a walker right along but was even more faithful this last year and that is probably why the hips increased but want to know what exercises are considered to help spine density. Does anyone have any info on this? I take calcium with vitamin D daily as recommended by my onc and I am a little nervous about taking Fosamax. Would appreciate hearing of experiences others have had with both the exercises and Fosamax. Thanks,
Pat
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Swallowed my 1st little white pill this morning. Will mark the day on the calendar.
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Morning all! Been a very emotional week for me. Guess I'm not as tough as I thought. Anyway my pains have eased up. Whether it is I'm finally getting use to this stuff or the home remedy I started taking. Sounds weird and I was very leary of it but it might just be helping. You mix 1/2 apple cider vinegar and 1/2 honey. Mix up and then take one tablespoon a day. It really doesn't taste all that bad. Maybe I'm just hoping that it is helping. I'll go for anything to be able to use my fingers in the morning. I was told that I could drink a small glass of red wine at night. I have not had any restrictions put on me. Everyone have a great day. Joy
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hmm - I've been taking fosomax for years with no side effects whatsoever. It's just irritating to have to delay my cup of coffee for 30 minutes once a week. Small price to pay! I have one more AC then I start arimidex. This thread has been very informative - and a tad bit scary!
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I have been taking Fosamax also for years. I've been on Arimidex since Feb 09 with no side effects. I do have some hot flashes in the evening but the generic Venlafaxine seems to help. I take it about 9:00 PM and I think it helps me sleep. I also take a regular Tylenol at bedtime and a Melatonin. I've given up on dairy products and have been drinking soy instead, it seems to agree with me, no stomach aches. I have read Dr Susan Love's Breast Book & agree with her on soy products. I have had carpal tunnel surgery in both hands but they don't ache any more than usual. I do go to exercise classes twice a week and do water aerobatics twice a week. I'm 72 and haven't gained weight, in fact I have lost 5 pounds since I can't use my estrogen patches any more. I guess I've been luckier than most of you. I am a little stiff in the AM but as soon as I get up and move I'm fine. I see my onc this week on the 24th. My concern is the price of Arimidex. I just filled my prescription it was $95 for three months which is fine but now I can't refill it again until next year. I'm in the donut hole and I can't pay $385 for one month. I'm trying to get financial help. Maybe my onc has some samples when I see her. If not I'll have to wait until January.
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JO, that is wonderful news that there are no cracks or breaks. Awesome - prayer works! And I promise that I will get more exercise. I get some but not nearly as much as I really do have the time to do. I will start by going to the park tomorrow after church and walk.
Denthomas, I have not read Dr Love (altho I've seen many references to her) so not sure what she says about soy. I thought soy was a no-no for us hormone positive ladies. I guess it's like everything else that you get different opinions depending on the source - < sigh >.
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glassist....... Thanks for the info........... took my first Fosamax this morning.......... hope I do as well as you with side effects.Have you had good results with improving bone density? Hope all goes well for you with the Arimidex................. I started it December of 08 and so far have tolerated it just fine.
Hope someone stops by soon that will have some tips for exercises to increase bone density in the spine as evidently from my scan I am doing very well with the hips but not so with the spine.
Denthomas........I can not recall where I read it but there was something said about if there was a problem with cost to contact the makers of Arimidex. This makes me think they offer some kind of help......at least worth a try as it would be in your best interest not to stop taking it. My onc gave me a voucher for one month free when I started it.
Thanks and hope everyone has a nice evening.
Pat
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Denthomas - I'm in the "donut hole" also and I contacted Astra Zeneca, the company that mfgs Arimidex. I found out I'm eligible for their AZ and Me Program and so I will be able to get the Arimidex at a much reduced fee for the balance of this year. Give it a try - believe me, it's worth it.
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Just another day and not one person took the time to answer my questions...Ok I got the message...good bye I will never bother you gays again!!!!!!
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Chiquita,,sorry noone answered you question...for me I had no answer as I never had the skin problems you described...hope you find out the problem
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Chiquita, I'm sorry you feel that no one is responding to you. I did go back to re-read your post and I didn't have an answer for you which is why I didn't respond.
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Hi Chiquita,
I have only been taking Arimidex for a month but do not have any skin conditions resulting from it....at least not yet. I was a skin care specialist several years ago and it definately sounds like a reaction to either something you are ingesting or something your skin is in contact with that is irritating it. You may be more sensitive to things that did not bother you in the past due to the medication. My niece had something similar on her upper arms and was told that it was contact dermatitis and she was given a prescription cream. She was not being treated for cancer and they never found out what was causing it but it cleared up with treatment. I would start with your oncologist but if you can't get answers there, make an appt with a dematologist who can prescribe something to eleviate the problem. It could be as simple as what you are using to clean your face doesn't work with your current hormonal changes. Finding the cause of a skin issue can be tricky so go to the experts for a diagnosis and treatment. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Roseann
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Hi Chiquita,
I understand how you felt about no replies. I was in the same situation with a post a few days ago. No one has replied. I posted about some problems with skin changes on my areola and was hoping someone out there had something similar and could comment. The ladies on this thread are caring and knowledgeable, so I finally concluded that no one else had something similar so there was nothing to be posted. Please do not take lack of responses personally. I really believe that if someone is out there who can help or give info, they will. We are all in this together.
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