Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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Sunflowers, I can't wait to try the coconut oil on my skin, but be careful, my friend whose husband had heart bypass surgery was off cocnut oil as it clogs the arteries according to his doctors.
Ladies remind me what the gin and raisin thing is and what it is for. I have a friend with the thick finger joints due to arthritis. I'd like to pass that recipe along to her if it helps.
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ruthbru, no, no, no - you soak the raisins in the gin and then eat the raisins. I know it seems to have the same effect but you consume less gin that way!!!! You will get used to the bifocals but your balance will continue to be off if you consume the gin by the glassful. Oh, boy, will you really make it to MN??? Better email me those e-tickets.
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I have a question that isn't about Arimidex. Has anyone on here had a mastectomy? The reason I ask is that I want to know if you still see your surgeon who did the mastectomy. I had my mastectomies 2 1/2 years ago and was told at my last appt. in November 2010 that I need to come back in a year. If I go to my MO every four months, is it really necessary to go see the surgeon? The reason I ask is that my surgeon now has limited hours and it is harder to get in to see her. Any thoughts about this situation would be greatly appreciated
Donna
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This is what my aunt did when her joints on her hands started to thicken and get crooked due to arthritis: she bought white raisins, soaked them in gin (in a quart jar in the fridge) for two weeks, then ate 12 raisins a day. Her doctor told her that it has a natural cortisone effect. Both she and my mom swore by it.
Patoo, I will be there.....gin or no gin.
Donna, I can't imagine why you would still be seeing your surgeon if all your surgical 'things' are done. Call and ask why!
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Hi, I've been on Armidex since May and I have a lot of joint pain when I get up from a chair. I need to move around awhile before it goes away. I also get killer foot cramps at night and I have to walk them off. It is all doable but makes me feel much older than I used to. If it keeps cancer away....I'll just keep on taking them.
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I thought I was done with my BS back in Feb. but was told by my GYN that I still needed to see a BS now I see her every year I guess the more doctors involved the better chance they have at catching anything.
Nancy
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Don23 the first year I would see my BS 2 times a year and my onc 2 times a year (well actually more because of chemo). So basically I saw someone every 4 months. Now that a year has gone by I see them once a year (seeing someone every 6 months). Not all BS work this way. Some leave it all to the MO. My MO and BS switch off. I was told I would see my BS for life (or at least until he retires).
ILnancy I too am very stiff in the legs if when I've been in one position too long.Toes and fingers stiff too but does get better after moving a bit. ILladies seem to swear by magnesium for stiffness. 1,000 mg of magnesium was recommended. I'm waiting till after my nipple surgery to start.
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My knees hurt. I had to quit the advil because I started having ringing in my ears. It was the first thing I found on my list of drugs that can cause it. Three days and no ringing so I guess it was the advil...now what do I take for my aching knees and fingers?
My surgeon dismissed me last November. So I didn't even have follow up but for 9 months with him. Radiation Oncologist still see him every 6 months and I see my Oncologist every 3 months. I know this sounds horrible but I am late in seeing my Gyn. I wanted to wait closer to my year date with my hysterectomy and my Mammogram isn't due until Jan. I just thought Sept. was too early for all the other stuff. Now to remember to call and make that appointment.
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Thanks for all the suggestions. I have an appt. with my onco in a few weeks. I have never seen this one before - my original onco decided to retire in September. I really liked my old one. Hope I like this one the same. I think I will wait to see the BS in January and then ask why I have to keep coming there!
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Saw my oncologist today and discussed my starting Arimidex...I have the prescription in my purse. He has ordered a bone scan since I want a base line and has given me a prescription for calcium/vitamin D supplement as well sinc eI have a prescription plan. Essnentially, he said it is up to me. Without Armimidex, I have an 85% chance of never hearing the words breast cancer again...with it, it bumps the odds up to 89-90%...but then again, neither of us could have anticipated the heart attack caused by mother nature (ie. my dad's genes) and tamoxifen so....my decicion. In the end, we decided I would try it for 4-6 weeks...he said if I am goin got have side effects (aching muscles, wicked hot flashes and potential dry vagina) it would heppen in the first 4-6 weeks...and then I could decide..his nurse (who is a SWEETHEART) will call me and we will chat about it then...now just have to go to the pharmacy and hand it in...tomorrow...Any thoughts?
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Sandeeonherown - I say go for it!!!0
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You won't know unless you try it.
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yep...you are both right....I went in to the tammi oblivious...as in, I had done th research and felt confident I would be fine and would simply deal with the hot flashes...I am not going in to this experience as confident....my oncologist said today I was the first case in 3 years where this had happened with the tamoxifen...he looked a little unsettled as well...but yes, I will likely go an dhave it filled tomorrow and give it a go...just don't really want to...ah well...like taking cod liver oil right? You do it because it i sbest for you...only lasts a second..I will however, check with my dynamo pharmacist tomorrow first:)
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Sandee,
My onc told me the side effects of arimidex are reversible, so even if you have some in the 6 weeks you're on it, they'll fade after you stop. Sounds like you don't have much to lose by trying it!
E
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Sandeeonherown The only SE I have so far is stiffness and it didn't start till 3 months after starting. I've been on it now for 7 months.0
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KittyDog, for the aching have you considered glucosamine/chondroitin, Vit D3 and exercise? Helped me tremendously with joint pain. Was able to stop the glucosamine (again) as the Vit D3 and exercise seem to be doing the trick. I do have the stiffness after sitting too long but that just gives me reason to get up and move often.
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Hi All,
I have a new question for folks: my cholesterol is starting to rise - it was below 200 before BC, 208 about 8 months ago after chemo but before Arimidex and now it is at 250. What are other folks' experiences with cholesterol going up and how have you coped?
I have already modified my diet considerably but I could still do more. Not sure what else I should consider so I would love to hear what other folks have run into this problem think.
Best to all, Beau
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My cholesterol has gone up too. I was able to keep it near the "desired" level with diet and exercise, now, 4 yrs into arimidex it's so high I have just stated taking didronate for it. Not very happy about the situation, had a really bad time with Lipitor, but even eating better the number was going up. Cannot wait to get off Arimidex. . .
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Hi Beau,
Not just the total number, but also HDL and triglycerides. You want a high HDL, and the triglycerides to be low. Exercise helps considerably with raising HDL. Mine used to be in the low 60s (good) but now is in the high 80s (excellent).
My triglycerides are in the 60s and 70s range. Again excellent.
So you do need to get this all checked out. There are also risk calculators out there. That will also make the point.
Because you don't want to do fine with breast cancer to get hammered with heart disease.
I am also wondering how much elevated cholesterol is from anastrazole, and how much is from decreased activity. Mine was consistent with readings prior to treatment, slightly elevated, but offset by the high HDL.
Of the things you can do for yourself, exercise is the big one. So is diet, but exercise is even more important. But go get to the bottom of this one. - Claire
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Hi NativeMariner and Claire,
thanks for sharing your advice and experience! I have asked for copy of report to compare to last one and to look at my HDL, etc. I will work on modyfying my diet more - I did cut out most meat and use low fat dairy, but I have a lot of cheese so maybe upping the fish and cutting back on the cheese could help. Definitely starting to exercise more as well, but probably not as much as prior to bc diagnosis.
NativeMariner, sorry to hear about your complaints but so glad that you are almost done with the 5 yr protocol and still cancer free!
I will keep working on it before I go for medications, but if I must go there, I will.
best to all, Beau
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Exercise can help raise HDL, however genetics plays a huge role. I went from HDL of 32 (very poor) to an HDL of 30 (very poor) over a two year period where I exercised (cardio and strength training) for a minimum of 45 minutes 5 days a week. Every week. For two years. It's worth trying, but may not help at all.
I saw an article recently about the dietary things they had found that actually helped lower cholesterol, I can't remember exactly -- a handful of almonds daily, using that margarine with plant stereols, increasing fiber, maybe substituting soy milk for dairy? I'm not sure. Google around a bit.
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The best nuts are walnuts and almonds, 1 ounce per day. ! ounce is just about a palmful of nuts. I bought both and measured out and packaged up 1 ounce servings to use for snacks.
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I eat pretty good and exercise all the time but still have cholestroel that is on the high side due to a bad family genes. I did not want to go on a statin, so with my GPs permission and monitoring, I started to take Niacin. I started with 500 mg for a couple months, retested, and played around with the dosage until I got one that worked. In my case it it 1,500 mg a day. If you try it, do NOT get the no flush niacin, it is not as effective. I take a brand called 'Slo Niacin' ( from Walmart), it is released slowly into the blood stream so I don't flush anyway. What it has done for me is raise my good cholestroel so high that the ratio is fantastic and the overall number doesn't even matter.
*also eat oatmeal every day
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I eat nuts, use olive oil, exercize, eat all grains, rarely eat red meat and on a cholesterol pill, post heart attack in March, I am still at 2.4...the cardiologists say it is all in the genes....but an increase in cholesterol scares the crap out of me...I am glad to hear the side effects are reversabl once you go off..assuming you have any, but the idea of my choleserol rising...ward off breast cancer or cause another heart attack...one drug or increase another while on the first one....god....
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My cholesterol went much higher after I began taking the little white pill. My ratio was still good, but I wasn't comfortable with the high total, 270. So my PCP put me on a statin. My diet and exercise hadn't changed so I think arimidex had to be the cause of the elevation.
Warm/hot weather seems to activate the warm flushes. I can actually begin to perspire all of a sudden. I feel much better when the temperature is cool or even cold. We spent the summer in Alaska and I was very comfortable wearing jeans instead of shorts and at night it was cold enough to cover up with a blanket and comforter. Sleeping was great. I take 75mg Effexor, which reduces the hot flashes to warm flushes, easier to endure.
Overall, I feel good. The joint stiffness goes away as soon as I get into motion. Losing weight is very difficult but I'm bound and determined to take off 12 lbs. Right now I can't wear most of my clothes. I'm wearing my "fat" clothes.
Three more years!
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I guess there is a thing called too much exercise?
I danced 5 hours straight on Friday night and then another 5 hours on Saturday night. My knees are killing me. They hurt before but now it is worse. I guess the arthritus from the Arimidex has really kicked in now. Sunday and Monday if I sat down for more than 1 hour I looked like a 90 year old lady trying to get up. It was not a pretty picture.
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Arimidex definitely raises cholesteral - interesting to learn what a positive role estrogen does play in our bodies! As well, as being a factor for some breast cancer - of course, there is a very positive role in keeping cholesteral, and blood pressure at better levels.
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Ruthbru-thanks for the Slo-Niacin info. I'm still just waiting for the muscle pain I had with Lipitor to start with this new one. Maybe it won't, but I just don't trust it. It makes me feel better to have a back up plan. I'm going to research the niacin approach and hold that in reserve. And now that the weather is cooler I do eat oatmeal or multigrain hot cereal most mornings.
Sandeeonherown-I read somewhere that cholesterol can only be lowered about 20% by dietary changes. I've got to search and see if I can find that study again. I think it is mostly in the genes.
Carolehalston-I have more hot flashes in hot weather or humid environments. Makes summertime interesting. I take gabapentin for hot flashes and it works great. All the AIs are notorious for causing weight gain or preventing weight loss. All we can do is keep on keeping on!
Jancie-I get the stiff joints thing sometimes. If I sit too long in one position I look like an old lady getting up, too! I have noticed that the more I walk the less I am troubled with stiffness.
SunflowersMA-so true!
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I would try the niacin first and hold the statins as a backup plan. A more natural approach without all the statin possible SEs.
I do not like hot weather at all anymore. I am GLAD that I live someplace where it is cool to cold much of the year(never thought I'd say that!).
Janice, try to spread those 10 hours of dancing over the space of about 2 weeks. It will work better that way
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