Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
Comments
-
I am going to pop in hear. I've been reading for a while and realize how many of us deal with SIDE EFFECTS of the Arimidex!- I too started with a itchy head just recently. I thought maybe it was winter dryness. But the strangest thing is a "thorn like" feeling on the left side of my head. Has anyone experienced this? Just barely touch my HAIR and it feels like thorns in my scalp.
0 -
I had excruciating headaches that felt like a thorn was in my head and a tight band encircled my head. Headaches every day, all day. Went to two doctors and spent a weekend in the hospital. It went on for about 6 wks. I was taken off the Arimidex and gradually it went away. Worst head pains and headaches of my life. Very weird feelings in my brain. Scary. I'm afraid to try something new frankly, but fear I must.0
-
Valjean - the carpal tunnel might resolve itself even while on arimidex, as mine did. I'm 3 years into arimidex and I think i havent used my wrist splints ofr maybe about 6 months or more....the ses change over time. Mine have all lightened up a lot.(except the hair thinnning
0 -
mybee333, same for me with worst headaches; also foggy thinking which scared me. I couldn't handle the other SE's but not the brain fog. I've been having my estradiol measured regularly, it was very low -- only 11 -- and our brains need SOME estrogen, so I'm off anastrozole for awhile, gonna keep the measurements low but not quite that low. After a week and a half the headaches are gone, I can think clearly, and -- unexpectedly -- I feel like I've got my mojo back: feeling so much better, more of a sense of humor. It's different for me at 73 than for those of you much younger because my body's not making much estrogen anyway so I'm not recommending going off to anyone else. But I'll say it's a quality of life issue for me, to be able to think clearly. I still work as a coach and have to be able to listen closely to my clients -- I couldn't do that very well when I could hardly remember my own name.
0 -
Elizabeth 1889: Thanks for having the same lousy, confusing side effects. I have not been cold like this since I was a young kid, low weight. It does not suprise me to get hot flashes, expected somewhat, but hoped my estrogen was so low that Arimidex would not make a difference. I get teeth chattering cold with my hoodie up. I bury my head underneath the comforter like an Eskimo. 2 minutes later, I may need to pull everything off and pull my shirt up to feel the overhead fan. I understand the hot flashes. I was never cold like this, want to beg for heating pad under my ass and thick comforter covering everything but my nose. I have to put thermostat 10 degrees higher than last year because of cold flashes. It feels crazy like old people that wear winter coats when it is 90 outside. Then I might get a hot flash after that. Dang. I never understood why those crazy old people wore winter coats in the middle of summer. God, am I going to be one of them? I am shivering now and the house is at 70. Where is that heating pad. Brrrr. I shouldn't say this, but is this cancer effect? My night sweats went away but now I'm freeezing like my toes are on dried ice. Hmmn. I wasn't cold for a second until Arimidex so maybe it isn't the cancer. This hormone thing is just nuts to deal with. Mom and my oncologist never told me I would have cold/ice flashes too,
I just found my heating pad in the closet, best thing since heated leather seats in the car.
God now I feel like 110 degrees and want to open all the windows, because this is too hot to bear.
0 -
That will settle down. For now, get rid of clothes that are bulky and hard to get on and off fast. Go for the layered look so that you can pile more on and take it off at will. I went with sweaters that opened down the front for that reason. I also bought a , quiet, tower fan and put it on my desk at work. I could turn that on and off without anyone noticing. I also kept a bottle of cold water or pop nearby and would roll my wrists over it if I got hot. If you can cool off your wrists, the rest of you will cool off also. I'm thinking that it took about 6 months for things to level off for me...then I think it was a combination of my body adjusting and me adjusting my mindset and wardrobe (never again will I buy a turleneck, although I do now have some light pullover sweaters back in my wardrobe. Hang in there! Ruth
0 -
Kimberly1961, I don't know if it will help you or not, but for me taking the pill at night has helped with the hot flashes. I still have them all night long, but at least the worst of them are over by the time I go to work. I still have no idea why some nights I'm sopping wet most of the night, yet other nights I have very few of them. I keep wondering if it is connected to what I eat during the day!
0 -
sflow....cold turkey...it is now ten days later and my hands are almost normal...except my muscles ace and myindex fingers are still really swollen.
0 -
I think we have to remember why we are taking Arimidex in the first place. I am in a hurry right now, but grabbed these statistics from a study on from the American Cancer Society website. It is a couple years old and I bet the numbers are actually higher.
Why should we try to stick with our anti-hormonals?
- The risk of dying was reduced by 29%
- The risk of the disease returning was reduced by 45%
- The risk of the disease spreading from the breast to other parts of the body was reduced by 39%0 -
ruthbru- those are the exact reasons I take that little white pill every morning, I am 1 year out hopefully just 4 more to goI
Nancy
0 -
Kimberly1961, Sorry you are having the hot/cold flashes, too, but it does help to know I am not the only one with this problem. So far, I would say I feel cold much more often than I feel hot. Quite an unusual situation for me.
0 -
Has anyone tried a pill called rhuemafan plus for the sore muscles and joints? A para in my classroom said she takes it for her pains and suggested I try it. It is all natural and actually has some cancer fighting qualities in them. Just wondering if anyone has heard or tried them. What do you gals think?
0 -
Just a quick few minutes to post a couple things...knowing me, it will turn into a rant/rave and then some sense and then move raving, so ignore if you please, or read if you will......
I had it with ARIMIDEX ruining what has become my life of pills. This last june I went off all pills for a week and then only continued on Arimidex. I gave it all it's own space and it was nice. I had been on thyroid pills, effexor, fosamax, lodine, calcium and D3, uh...let's see...oh, occasionally lasix for swelling in my lower legs. I had gained 30+ and have never had a weight problem in my life. Had joint pains all the time, with bone pain other times mostly in a thigh. Had problems with my feet I'd never had, and now have those $400 inserts....all this since the dx in 2007....never and aspirin before..even with the pills, I was miserable with pain that would wake me or prevent me from getting up and going when I needed/wanted. Did I mention I was 49 when dx and now feel 90....not 83, b/c my mother is 80 and gets around better than I can at times.
So, I gave arimidex a trial all it's own for nearly 5 months. Still the same ol', same ol'. So, at my appt with onco last week, he switched me over to tamaxifen. Started Late march of 08, so I'm assuming this tamaxifen is it for another 16 months. Scares me b/c while I don't want the C back, I do want to live my life as a 53 year old. NOT a 90 y/o~ What to do....I had not discussed with the onco (1st one with english as a second language) the %'s when starting all this. Now I asked the onco last week. He says, 35% without anything, 5 % with the antihormone...just doesn't sound right to me...does it you? i had a left mast with chemo A/C and then arimidex for 3years and 8 months. And does anyone know what the % is of women whose bodies don't use the tamaxifen right? I dont' remember anything I researched 3 years about it, other than the possiblility of blood clots is higher and it's easier on the bones....
Anyone?
0 -
wishiwere~ I think it is 5% of women have no benefit from Tomaxifen (sp) I am one of them. So I have to take Arimidex....and I know the side effects are not good...I too sometimes question why I continue with this drug. There is a test to see if you are one that will have no benefit from T.
Balsie
0 -
Well, I bought a wrist splint at Walgreen's Saturday, wore it last night & this morning while putting on my makeup, my hands did not go numb. Can it work that fast???!!!
One of the times I woke up last night I could feel a slight sensation in my hand, but not too bad; I did not wake up from any pain. I was amazed I could put mascara on both eyes & not have to stop - drop - and hang my arm down for a few seconds. All my makeup even! From just one night of using the splint?!?
I don't know what to say except I am amazed. I should have bought one sooner. I do plan to call my Onc's office to see if they will give me a prescription for two splints (R and L) after I call my insurance company to see if they cover it.
Thank you so much, flannelette, for the suggestion, and Sunflowers for the psysiotherapy suggestion for further help. The one I purchased wraps, has a good solid splint and has velcro fasteners. I first checked Walgreen's, liked one in there, walked across the street to Rite-Aid, did not like what they had - never even looked in Wal-Mart.
I truly appreciate the help ladies!
0 -
I had bad SE's from Aromasin for the first 3 months, but the only things that bother me now are insomnia and bloating. For the weight gain, I've started Sensa and for the first time, a diet aid is working! It's expensive but the weight is falling off.
0 -
I had bad SE's from Aromasin for the first 3 months, but the only things that bother me now are insomnia and bloating. For the weight gain, I've started Sensa and for the first time, a diet aid is working! It's expensive but the weight is falling off.
0 -
What is in Sensa?
0 -
Sensa is a diet aid you sprinkle on everything you eat. It has no taste and you don't notice it on your food. I cuts your appetite way down! You don't have to change what you eat but you get full faster and don't snack. I got mine at GNC.
0 -
YEAH, YEAH, Valjean - yup. It can. Keeps the hands, wrist in proper alignment, so the lymph, blood are all flowing - and the nerves are happy, happy, happy!!!
YEAH!!!! Hang in there - there really is a FIX for everything.
When someone finds the one for magically losing weight - let me know
0 -
me too!
0 -
looks like I'm going to have to get my wedding rings and watch resized ... damned puffiness from Arimidex.
0 -
MamaV
I hear you...one of my SE's too - but SO much better than a reoccurance. I think it eases the longer we're on the stuff - mine are n't nearly as swollen as when I started. Then my FEET were so swollen, now, not at all. HANG IN THERE - it seems to get better!
0 -
Thanks sunflowers ... I can still get them on and off, but with a lot of lotion! Ha ha!
0 -
I re sized my rings this summer best thing I ever did I got them a little big so in the mornings I can still get them off when my hands swell, they do move a little later in the day but I have gotta use to it. I missed my rings when I had to take them off from all the swelling.With gold being so expensive I sold my old gold so I could get them re-sized and had a little left over .
Nancy
0 -
Losing weight? SENSA! See posts above. I love this stuff!
0 -
I looked up the ingredients - on the Web MD site for Sensa. Not for me ;( Malodextrin, silica, can't remember the other one...
0 -
Hi,
I wanted to know from everyone - when - if ever - has anyone forgotten to take a dose? Did you just take it the next day? I don't recall forgetting one dose in 4 years - and today it happened. Woops -
0 -
Wikipedia says that Maltodextrin compromises absorption of vitamins and minerals. (if that is what is in Sensa). Doesn't sound safe for us with BC...
0 -
I would be more worried abut the soy in this product than the matodextrin...even though this article says it can be addicting. I don't think I would take it either.
SENSA® contains Maltodextrin (Derived from Corn from the USA), Tricalcium Phosphate, Silica, Natural and Artificial Flavors. SENSA® also contains Soy and Milk ingredients. SENSA® is sodium-free, sugar-free, calorie free, gluten-free, and there are no stimulants, drugs or MSG.
Maltodextrin Side Effects
An overuse of food products containing maltodextrin can lead to a number of health implications. Though there is no proof as yet, researchers have conducted a survey among people who use prepackaged foods, whose main ingredient is maltodextrin. It had been observed that these individuals showed signs that . Given below are some of the side effects of maltodextrin, which may be mild or severe in nature, depending on the consumption:
One of the most common side effects that can be seen in individuals who suffer from starch intolerance is allergies. Individuals who suffer from celiac diseases show allergic reactions like skin rashes, itching, wheezing, asthma etc.
Some individuals may also experience a bloating sensation in the abdomen and flatulence as a result of the side effects of maltodextrin. The individuals may also suffer from problems in digestion, diarrhea and in some cases even constipation.
Another danger of maltodextrin, especially in body builders is rebound hypoglycemia. This condition results to a sudden drop in the levels of blood sugar due to excess workout.
High carbohydrates in the body can cause an insulin spike. This may lead to the excess storage of energy in the form of fat, which can result in unhealthy weight gain. This is particularly harmful as it can pose a threat to the cardiovascular system.
Some researchers also believe that maltodextrin can also cause tooth decay and other dental problems like plaque, tartar etc.This is because the excessive sweetness of this product, combined with improper oral hygiene can lead to tooth decay, caries and gum problems.
An impact of high maltodextrin can be seen on the digestive system. Once this food additive (an ingredient in junk food) enters the bloodstream, it relaxes the digestive tract and stalls digestion. The body then craves for food like junk, that are quickly absorbed and do not require digestion. Craving for junk food can make the digestive system lazy and the person becomes overweight, due to overdose of maltodextrin in the body.
Other negative effects of maltodextrin include nausea induced vomiting, headaches, which may range from mild to severe, an upset stomach, dizziness and fainting spells. Some individuals may also experience side effects like generalized body weakness, fatigue and body ache.0
