Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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Layla2525, that sounds dangerous. Please call and see if you can get an appointment as an emergency.
I'm stumped by the few posts here that brand name arimidex is over $400./month but only $40./month directly from AstraZeneca. Why is that? Are the pharmacies jacking up the prices that much - doesn't make sense.
(((( Bogie ))))
Justina, keep calling. The squeaky wheel...
Regardless of the recurrence stats,maybe we won't get it again without our meds, but as JO-5 always said - SE's ARE EASIER TO TREAT THAN BC! Please try and hang in there and fight with everything you have. Don't neglect to check out the complementary threads as well. Even if you are not into alternatives (I'm not) there is a wealth of information on those threads and you may find something there that you can try together with traditional methods. Knowledge is power.
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Shouldn't make any difference at all.
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I was paying the $431/month for Arimidex because my insurance would not pay for the brand name after it went generic. My insurance also limited where I could purchase my prescriptions..
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The drug company has that special price because the government requires them to have a program for people who cannot afford the regular price. I think the trade off for them is that they can keep the price high. A lot of drug companies have programs for their very expensive drugs, but I don't think it's out of the goodness of their hearts.
My onc showed me a printout at our first appt that said I had a 14% recurrence rate with no further treatment. The AI would cut that in half, to 7%.
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Wow over $400.00 for name brand Arimidex I am in shock that the pharmacies are charging this and yet you can get it direct from the distributor for 40.00 a month. This is really sad that our local pharmacies are over charging us this much.
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Please reassure me I ONLY have a sprained ankle..... I'm finishing my first month on Arimidex, and not noticing many SEs (I'm 65 and stiff anyway, type a lot--but don't have flashes). A few days after starting my ankle hurt a bit after my slow jogging, which I was able to get back to after years of a "bad knee." Now the last few days the ankle has swollen near the ankle bone, and the look and pain is similar to when I sprained my other ankle a few years ago. Aside from not being able to exericise now, DH and I have a 40th anniversary trip in a few weeks that will involve constant city walking.
Any possibility this is only a sprain (which I can baby for a few weeks)--or does it sound like a typical miserable AI side effect? Guess I'm hoping for reassurance that will allow a "placebo" effect to kick in, LOL. (Am staring gluco and tumeric today. I know the gluco --if it even works, takes weeks/months. I'm icing and also have a compression stocking.)
Sigh.
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Hey Chris, at any time do you remember turning, twisting or rolling your ankle? Were you running on asphalt, concrete or grass? Does your ankle hurt when you extend your foot up or down? The reason I ask is because it could be a sprain, a compression fracture or arthritis in that area that has simply flared up causing inflammation. Believe it or not a compression fracture can happen from the least amount of pounding on your foot and poorly fitting shoes to run/walk in. ( I'm a nurse and have seen this happen to a pt. I had before ). If your foot doesn't improve in a few days definitely have it checked out by a dr. But I don't think you are having a side effect from the med since it started after you started jogging.
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Thanks, mimi. If it's "only" a sprain, I can cope I guess. I don't recall anything unusual but it started weeks ago when running on concrete. (I had running shoes on.) It was off and on with just a little pain when running, but now the inflammation and pain. I can flex the foot up and down with little pain, the pain/swelling is centered near the interior ankle bone. It hurts when I flex the foot to the interior. The area is warmer to the touch than the surrounding area.
Annoying to deal with, but with the long-awaited trip coming up, I'm really discouraged. Two ibuprofens didn't take care of the pain, as they usually do with any similar issue.
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Layla - How long have you been on the arimidex and how long has your mouth been sore or has sores? The first week I was on it, my mouth started burning and now my teeth hurt. The pain moves around. When I brush my teeth it makes it worse. Did you talk to your oncologist about it? Thanks Kathy
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Well I called my Onc at the suggestion of my therapist about this depression/anxiety. She said stop taking the Arimidex (generic) for a month to see if I feel better and then she will see me to discuss, so tomorrow I will not be taking it.
She also said maybe I can switch to Tamoxifen. Has anyone stopped for a month? and what were the results?
I read about Tamoxifen and the side effects are scarier!!!
Suggestions? comments? all appreciated... Ginger M.
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I was off for 6 weeks total and switched to Aromasin. I have only a slight headache and minor hand pain now. I had many severe SE's on arimidex, generic. However I have been on Effexor, and antidepressant that also helps minimize hot flashes, the entire time. I am feeling much better than I did on Arimidex, including emotionally. Draw the conclusions you see. I suspect the Arimidex was exacerbating the depression as it was one of my SE's.
Ginger_Mea I hope you find a good solution. I really want to take this AI and hope I don't get more SE's on aromasin.
Hugs Gingerbrew
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Gingerm, the fact that Tamoxifin does have more of a risk really serious SEs, combined with the fact that AIs offer a slightly better non-recurrence rate, is why AIs are the first line drugs for most (but ,of course, not all post-menopausal women) Non-scientifically, premenopausal women have more estrogen being produced than us so they need a stronger drug to get rid of it. I'd try a different AI before I'd switch to Tamoxifin.
Chris13, ice and elevate. Concrete is bad. When you get back at it; get some new shoes and if running is your thing find some paths, gravel roads etc that are not so 'poundy'. I don't run anymore (not that I ever did). I just walk really fast. I find running too hard on my joints (with or without arimidex).
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Gingermea
Have you considered taking an antidepressant with the AI? I know many women have experienced depression on tamoxifen too. It's definitely the problem with lowered, or no estrogen.
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Thanks Native Mainer..hope I wasn't stepping on your toes, but I did think it was important to know the difference between the hormonal therapies. By the way, I summer in Maine every year and it's my favorite place!
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NativeMainer, thanks for your explanation of how the different meds word, i.e., Tamoxifen & Arimidex. It was very understandable with the words you used.
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I did a lot of reading and research on Tamoxifen & Arimidex and made the decision that Tamoxifen is something I will not be taking. Also that Arimidex is very important for me to take. So I will go off for the month and see if there is a difference, and to allow my Onc to see as well, if the Arimidex is the reason for the depression/anxiety. If it is I will consider medication for the depression along with the Arimidex. The month off will be the deciding factor to the cause. Which I believe it must be because I am usually a very up and positive person. Although I do read that sometimes just being finished with treatment and out of that fight mode can cause depression too. So time will tell, but I already know I will be going back on the Arimidex. Hugs & Blessings you all. Ginger M.
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Chris13 try taking Aleve instead of Ibuprofen for your ankle the bottle will say take one every 12 hrs, but it is perfectly o.k. to take 2 (if the Dr was giving you a prescription for nsaid that is the strength it would be) make sure you take it with some food/crackers/milk etc. Take it twice a day every day for at least 7-10 days until your ankle has healed. This will decrease the inflammation and swelling along with elevating the ankle and use ice. Hope this helps.
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Hi, ladies. I am new on this thread but have been reading it for a few weeks. I started anastrozole yesterday. I appreciate the information and support here. I really depended on the support on other threads as I went through chemo and radiation.
The list of side effects is really intimidating. I hope I'm one of the lucky ones who has minimal SE's. I am already on an antidepressant, have been for years, and I think it helps keep my attitude positive most of the time. The minor side effects of my Paxil are well worth the benefit. Some people have to try a few different antidepressants before they find one that works well for them. Good luck to all who are dealing with anxiety & depression, they can be tough.
Thanks for being here! Barb
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Hi Wren44 ... in followup to your post of the 23rd. AZ has had the required program you mentioned since Armidex went generic. I did not qualify for that program. I kept calling AZ explaining that I could not tolerate the generic that my insurance covered (FYI - 11 generics went on the market when the Arimidex patent ended), and that my insurance also restricted where I could fill prescriptions. I posted the article about the new AZ program in the Recommend Your Resources section of the discussion boards - an interesting read. Paying $40 a month compared to the $421 I was paying has been a huge relief, and is helping me pay down my debts, In 2011 I spent over $5700 out of pocket for my prescriptions. Wishing you the best.
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ginger_mea, I think almost everyone experiences that "CRASH" when active treatment is done. You are so totally focused on the fight, and then all of the sudden they send you out the door with a 'see you in three months'....so it is a tough adjustment. I don't think I really let myself process any of what had happened for about a year, because I really couldn't handle it emotionally until then.
Some things that helped, and continue to help me are to exercise religiously, come here for support from who really 'get it', stay busy, and also I am really nice to myself. I am a lot more ready to buy something I want, go out for coffee with girlfriends, get a haircut every five weeks (instead of squeezing out a few more weeks to save money), take a that trip I've been wanting to go on etc. etc. If your depression is more situational (not a chemical imbalance) things like this may be helpful as you get you back on track.
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Hi ladies - I am new to this thread but have been reading it the last week. Good stuff here, as on most of the BCO threads.
I finished rads 3/6, and saw my MO for follow up last Friday. I NEVER remember her mentioning that I would go on AI after I was done with chemo and radiation (probably chemo brain), but she gave me the Arimidex rx and it was filled as generic. I have been on it 10 days. She told me that if I did not have horrible menopause symptoms I would probably not have horrible side effects with the Arimidex. So far just a few hot flashes. My joints were already achy - leftovers from the taxotere, I believe.
Throughout treatment I have taken xanax to help me sleep, and I when I started back to my very stressful job I found it helped me to take 1/2 of one in the morning and after lunch. I continue to do that, so I may be warding off anxiety with the xanax.
My question to you experts is, is there evidence that the generic is less effective than the name brand? My pharmacy price for the generic was $277 but my co-pay is $10 (I am so blessed with my DH's insurance plan).
Thanks for all the good advice.
Debbie
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Ruth you are so sweet. Okay, does anyone know where to find out if the other AI's work as well as Arimidex? I am on Aromisin and have been wondering if it works as well. I was not a worrier before BC, now I seem to find new things to make me worry. I really want to feel normal again.
The idea of getting a hair cut regularly is a good idea. I used to have curly hair so it was very simple for me to keep it looking alright since I just scrunched it up and went. Now it is straight and something I am not at all accoustomed to and I look wretched. It is reaching shoulder length, is much thinner and not good.
Moaning and groaning over.
Ginger
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Ginger, get a good haircut immediately and report back!!!
All AIs are all equally effective.
The generic has the exact same ingredient (anastrozole) as the name brand (some people have trouble with different fillers etc). But, as my pharmacist explained when I went generic, it is a 'serious' drug and the FDA does not allow any messing around with the formula. I have not at all noticed the difference since I switched (except in the pocketbook!).
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Ginger, I'm the same as you taking a break from generic Arimidex to see if that is the cause for my onset of anxiety and emotions. After just two days of not taking it, I feel normal again and my hands and feet don't feel tight and swollen. Sure enough also developed a small lite mouth sore along with dizzy spells. MO is waiting till surgery is over in a few weeks and will most likely switch to something else. Wellbutrin hasn't done squat to help any side effects, especially hot flashes. Xanax helped with anxiety but none of them seem to want to give it to me...thanks guys, so I'll suffer through it.
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Hi everyone,
I too have been following this thread for some time and thought I'd jump in. I've been on Arimidex generic since i finished rads the beginning of November and am a lucky one not to have the serious side effects. Yes, I get a bit stiff if I sit too long in one position, and my joints are a bit sore when I first get up, but soon are fine. I'm finally getting my energy back and am able to tackle the weight gain issue. Generally I'm over the extreme fatigue, and rarely "hit the wall" anymore. I'm able to exercise again, although not yet anywhere near the level I used to do. I'm 64, so lots of this is probably normal anyway.
My only lasting SE from all this is a sleep issue. I get exhausted yet still can't sleep. I was taking the arimidex at dinner to avoid the hot flashes issues, but am now going to try taking it in the morning. I really don't want to resort to sleeping pills, but currently need to every several days or I get like a little kid who "needs to go down for a nap" ......you know, tears over not much etc. etc.
Oh and I whole heartedly support RuthBru's idea of treating ourselves. I'm also getting hair cuts more often, and we're finally rebuilding the garage (and clearing out 25 years of accumulated stuff) to create a quilting studio for me.......even better is that DH is actively behind all this work to get the place cleared out!
So, that's my story. Thought I'd come out of hiding and join this supportive group.0 -
Thank you ladies and RuthBru for your good advice. You are right about allowing ourselves, I know that is something I am learning most recently I think that is an issue for me. How to put everything and everyone after myself. I tend to get stressed out becuase instead of just saying no because things are overwhelm me, I stress out. So I am really trying (with the help of my DH) to realize my limitations in life, and the priority that is me!
Also, one thing I did not have on the Anazatrole for the past 4 months, was hot flashes like everyone else, this concerns me a little because I read that the women who have them (although no one wants them) have less chance of recurrance. First day on the break... Ginger M.
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Ginger,
I really didn't have ,much of a hot flash starting this med. Just one or two about 2 hours after taking the pill. Those subsided within about 6 weeks of taking it. I too worried that perhaps it wasn't working well, but I have decided it's really that I had about 8 years of massive hot flashes in my 50's so figure I've already put in my time. That, and the little flashes I can ignore. I'm choosing to believe this drug is doing what it should do though as it threw me straight in to full blown osteoporosis within a month of starting it. I previously had stable osteopenia.0 -
Hey Ginger, where did you learn about hot flashes being an indication of the AI working? I'm not having them one month on.....but I didn't have them during menopause either. And I obviously had too much estrogen for my own good!
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ruthbru, you are so right about being nice to yourself. I am learning more and more to be that way. Less about keeping the house clean and making sure everyone else is taken care of before me.
My DH and I recently got back from a weekend trip to NYC, a place I always wanted to visit....it's only 8 hours from where I live. The best time for us to go was the weekend of our granddaughter's 3rd birthday, usually DH would have insisted we go to her party, and I would always put that first, but he agreed on the timing of the trip. We are also planning a trip to Grand Canyon this summer, and a few other shorter vacations.
Oh, and while in NYC, we slept on a TempurPedic mattress at the hotel and both had such a glorious night's rest, we are going out and purchasing one for ourselves. Normally wouldn't be something I'd splurge on, it'll run a few thousand dollars, but it is something we both loved. Ha, ha, some people want a sports car when they hit middle age, we want the mattress.
I also splurged for tickets to go see VanHalen for the two of us next week. And I bought that bag of pecans for $8.99 a bit pricey, but yum, they taste SO good.
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Chris13 - I read it here on the site, can't remember where maybe on the homepage and then typed in harmone therapy but its here someplace. I will check later and let you know for sure.
I too did not have hot flashes during menopause and was full of estrogen! It concerns me too.
GingerM.
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