Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
Comments
-
Schatzi14 - I spent half of my life in Winnipeg so I know cold. That's why I live in LA now.
0 -
Life....oh I can imagine how you appreciate LA...My hubby lived in "Winterpeg" for a few years...still makes him cold thinking about it. He said to mention Broadway and walking against the wind...now THAT is cold. LOL
0 -
Does anyone else find they are gritting their teeth? It is giving me a sore jaw and has only started since Arimidex.
0 -
Try some meditation/relaxation/hypnosos CDs. They really do help me relax, unclench everything.
0 -
Kyliet-yes I'm very tense from head to toe-literally. There are many relaxation techniques that will help.
0 -
Thanks ladies, I hadn't even thought about relaxation techniques. I will definitely try them. x
0 -
I find my jaw locks every so often...I need to remind myself to just relax it and forget it! Mine was doing that waaaaaaaaaaay before Arimidex.
0 -
Something as easy as taking a couple of deep breaths helps me.
0 -
I use square breathing a lot--you breathe in to a comfortable count (I use 6), hold for the same count, breathe out for the same count, hold for the count, then start over. 3 or 4 cycles and I usually feel some relaxation start. Can also be done anytime, anywhere and no one notices!
0 -
great idea!
0 -
I visualize I am at the ocean; lying on the beach with the waves going in and out, in and out, in and out.....I always do this when I get my blood pressure checked.
0 -
I started taking Arimidex October, 2012. Within one month, I could hardly walk in the morning and found it nearly impossible to get out of a chair. I was determined to stick it out, but was having more and more difficulty getting down my steps. I was like a 90 yr old going 1 step at a time with much pain and effort. My MO offered to switch me, give me meds, give me a break, whatever. I told him I was going to stick it out.
Two weeks ago, I started taking Bragg's Apple Cider vinegar because I heard it helps Lymphedema, which I also have. It has not helped my Lymphedema yet, but it sure helped my joint pain! It is miraculous. I can now walk like a normal person one foot after the other on my steps, I can get out of a chair without literally moaning in pain, and even my tight shoulder from my MX has improved!! I am totally amazed. I take 2 tsp of ACV in a little juice 3 times per day. Truly, it is an absolute miracle to me. I told my Physician's Assistant - she said it sure won't hurt you,keep doing it! Alleluia!
0 -
Awesome!
0 -
Whatever works!
0 -
Glad you found something that helps, Denise.
I will have reached my one year on anastrozole this weekend. I just noticed last week that my joint pain and stiffness has diminished, but my insomnia (and hence fatigue) has increased...0 -
Hard to tell on the insomnia with me cuz Im not a good sleeper anyway and Ive got other things going on which arnt helping. Even with meds sometimes its a fight to get 4 hours ATM.
Been on A for about 1.25 yrs. As for the joint pain, only on a few occasions since I last posted do I get stiff joints when I 1st get up. Doesn't last long and I believe since I increased my walking distance, it's definitely helped. It's about 2 to 2 1/2 miles a day. I am noting that I'm getting a stiff lower back when going to bed. That doesn't help the insomnia issues. Ive had this on and off but it seems to be a bit more so lately.
I'm remembering what ruthbru said about the warm weather being better for the joint pain, which of course makes sense, but with the double edged sword of PN it's hard to evaluate. Still, Im better off. Now we're coming into the cooler weather, will see how this plays out.
0 -
I think the weather does play a part. When we went to the caribbean I noticed I didn't have as much discomfort. It is mainly when I wake up and if I have been sitting for a period of time.
0 -
Denise-G is there a particular reason you take the apple cider vinegar with fruit juice or is it just to mask the taste?
0 -
Its not just ovaries that produced estrogren. Many tissues and gland produce limited quantities of estrogren.
0 -
Maybe its not the vinegar. I had near crippling bone pain about 3 months after i started arimidex and then, magically one day it stopped and i have virtually no pain. No idea why. Post hoc ergo propter hoc thinking can be dangerous :-)
0 -
My wife has been on Arimidex for 3 years and the onco wants two more. Various SE's but the one that I'm wondering about right now is muscle and joint pain. Specifically, she can't lay down without her back absolutely killing her. She sleeps in a chair all the time which isn't good for her neck. She has massages once a week which help her shoulders and neck temporarily, but doesn't help long term. Has anyone had similar experiences and/or any suggestions. Thank you greatly for your help.
0 -
If a chair feels good, try a fully reclining one. I have one I've slept in for over a year. (Long story) I can adjust the angle depending on my knees, back, neck ,whatever. You can rent one to try, or buy one. Mine is electric with a hand controller. I can change the angle without having to sit up or use muscles to push or pull.
Also, I take an anti-inflamatory, which helps. Good luck.0 -
weary -- every morning with my breakfast I take an anti-inflammatory (Aleve) and loratadine (antihistamine). I think it has helped a little. I'm going to try the apple cider vinegar. Try getting a script from the MD for physical therapy, it helped calm down my shoulder tendinitis/impingement that I've gotten since starting on anastrozole -- I couldn't lift my arm over my head for 6 weeks, now I can. Good luck!
0 -
MOT, I can't raise my right arm past my shoulder either since staeting Arimidex. Very painful. I had torn rotator cuff in left shoulder and surgery, and this feels just as bad, altho I'm sure it's from the meds. I'll ask about PT next time I'm at the doc. Mayne I should try vinegar, too.
0 -
weary...did she try taking the 24 hr Claritin D?? I don't know why but it worked for many of us. The one without the decongestant! After 3 months I had hardly any SEs. I am now into my 2nd year of Anastrozole, with only hairloss as a SE. Wish I could take a pill for that...some say Biotin tho.
0 -
Cowgirl - I take the apple cider vinegar with Pomegranate Juice because pomegranates are supposed to be good for BC survivors. It helps the vinegar taste better and I get two things done at once. I do drink it with a straw since I know the acid of vinegar can damage your teeth enamel.
Carrye - In my case, I KNOW it was the vinegar. I've never been a big advocate of any snake oil kind of meds, but this truly has been a miracle for me. The pain has gradually lessened in the 2.5 weeks since taking it. My nurse practitioner said other patients have had good results with it as well.
Like my Nurse Practitioner said, "Vinegar is good for you - it won't hurt you. If it helps, keep doing it." I like her.
0 -
One more thing I forgot to add that the Apple Cider Vinegar has helped...
every since Radiation I have not been able to raise my left arm on my Mastectomy side above my head. No amount of stretches or exercises helped. In the 2.5 weeks since taking the vinegar, I can raise my arm over my head!! This stuff works...I guess it has to be an "organic" kind that is unfiltered.
0 -
Is that the Apple cider with the "mother"?
0 -
WTH! After a full year on anastrasole, I'm having alternating hot and cold spells. Each extreme lasts 15 to 30 minutes, then switches. Did it take this long to get the last of the estrogen out of my body? I don't think I've changed anything else, so it much be the AI. Any suggestions for what to wear? Putting a sweater on and off every 15 minutes is a bit much. Maybe a shawl?
0 -
SAme here Wren with maybe a little variation on those times but I hear you. The jumper goes on off on off on off....as well as at the bottom end...(feet, that is lol). Slippers/socks... on OFF on OFF on OFF ...ad nauseum SIGH
0
