Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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Thank you all for the feed back, my onc switched me because of the depression issues, but I belive she said see how it goes and then she would switch me back which leads me to belive she wants me on her first choice which was the arimidex. I am thinking I will go back because I want whats the best for me, and work through the s.e. if I get any this time, hopefully if I do they will pass in time. Does anyone know, can you just switch? or do you have to go off and wait before starting a new? Also, anyone know the risk of not going AI's vs. doing them, the percentages I'm just curious? I am ER+++ 3rd grade. Ginger M.
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I switched from Aromasin to Arimidex and I THINK there was a two-week break in between.
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My understanding is that if you are post menopausal; then the Als still provide the best protection. If you are pre-menopausal, do tamox until the 5 years are up & switch to an Al once you are done (presuming you have gone through menopause). If you jump over the the post-menopausal side during the 5 years, switch over at that time.
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Ruth, I agree. My Oncologist told me point blank tha A's work better than Tamoxifen. Besides with SE like stroke and Blood Clots, no thanks! I couldn't tolerate the Arimidex so after a break from surgery I started today on Aromasin (Exemestane generic). Hoping I will tolerate this one better. I'm going to take it at night in case I feel fatique.
Time will tell......0 -
I was done with menopause before BC so Tamox wouldn't be for me, which I am glad! Ginger M.
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I have been on Arimidex for 3 years now...I already had pre osteo so thought it would be better than hot flashes again. I am having strange side effects that I haven't read about on this site. A hand specialist confirmed that my trigger fingers and my tendo issue with my wrist are related to this drug. I am also having issued with toenails in that they have begun to grown curving inward..but I only have two more years, so can deal at this point. Steroid shots in the hands and a brace on my toe has helped. SS in Florida
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ginger_mea - Post menopausal women can take any of the hormonals, including Tamoxifen. It's the other way around - Pre menopausal women cannot take the aromatase inhibitors (like Arimidex, etc) unless they are chemically or surgically forced into menopause first.
Sorry you're having so many issues with treatment. I've been on Arimidex for about 1 year and have had quite a few side effects, but they seem to wax and wane. So far it hasn't been bad enough for long enough to make me feel the need to switch to something else. I am most concerned about the bones as I was osteopenic before starting. Such fun!
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HI LOVE-SHRISTMAS BARB
I have been taking claratin for a few weeks now - I stopped taking the NSAIDs and I definitely feel better than before. My tendonitis in my right wrist/thumb is still there, but definitely less acute. the rest of my joints definitely feel better too. Not perfect, but better.
Ginger Mea, I am going to try Aromasin next. I have been on Arimidex for almost a year and a half but the arthritis issues are still a challenge. My onc (a top one at a major cancer center in Boston) feels that all the AIs are interchangeable from a protection point of view. The most important thing is to stay on something for the 5 years. Apparently, as Ruth pointed out, some folks do much better on one AI than another. My onc told me to take a 3 week break to see if the arthritis symptoms abated before I started up with Aromasin. I am just waiting for my 2 year mammogram (end of this week) before I stop Arimidex as I want to be sure that I am in hte " all clear" before I switch. If I end up with similar side effects, then I may switch back, but I will figure that out later.
In any event, good lick with whatever you deicde. Best, Beau
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Thanks for all the posts. I guess I will just remain on the Aromisan until I see the Onc in 2 weeks, I am so much better in the depression/anxiety area (but am now wondering if it was the Arimidex or just the after effects of the cancer, done with active treatment etc...) however, the wrist thing and shoulder is so much worse! I will ask Onc if one AI is better than another for protection or are all the same and then just way my odds as to which s.e. I can handle better LOL such fun
I am going to start trying the claritin again to see if it gives any help to me.
Ginger M.
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Can anyone tell me if the decrease in bone denisty caused by Arimidex or Aromasin is reversible?
Thanks
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linde22, I would like to know that too. Ginger M.
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Thank you beau! I have been on the claritin for six days now and haven't noticed an improvement yet so I was wondering how long it takes.
ginger_mea...I'm glad you're better in the depression/anxiety area. It does help me deal with everything else when I'm not at least depressed.
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Wait....claritin works for AI-induced pain?
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Scootaloo....I read on here that some people have had the Claritin reduce their pain. Isn't that awesome?
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YES. I'll try it!
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Right Balsie, I was trying to figure out what the fillers were because I thought maybe if I was just allergic to one of those I could change to a generic Arimidex and be able to tolerate it. Some posts mentioned that there are 3 different generics? Unfortunately I am feeling that it may be the anasterzole if yes,then gotta switch if doc will let me. I called his office and his nurse told me to get Biotene,I was so mad I almost asked her how much of it I should drink to stop the shortness of breath and the swollen tongue!! I went to my general physician today cause the Arimi gave me high blood prez up from 128/80 to 180/100 and I ate a lot of bananas and got it down to 150/95 but the dr gave me Lisinopril which is for high bld prz and 2 different kinds of ointment for the sores in my mouth and around the outside corners which are spreading an infection onto my face. I reported it to the FDA. Thankyou Astra Z. Now I have to take an extra pill for the side effects!!Are they permanent!??
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I read an article that said that the bone loss while on AIs reverses when you stop. I don't have the link to it, but if I can find it I will post.
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Layla2525, When do you see your MO? I would definitely call and see if you should stop and switch to another drug with a break to manage SE's in between. Good luck.
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seekthejoy-that would be very good news, indeed.
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lovechristmas-barb: I think I was the first person to figure out the Claritin connection. The night I took it for the first time, I was on the couch in agony -- even my toes hurt. I remembered my chemo nurses recommending Claritin to alleviate bone pain from the neulasta shots (post chemo), so tried it. Within about 3 hours the edge was off the pain. By the next morning, I was pain free.
I haven't had any pain return. During the heaviest parts of allergy season, Claritin doesn't do it for me and I have to take something else -- on those days, I notice I feel the aches and pains coming back.
I hope this helps!
Susan
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sebm9-what dosage of Clartin do you take?
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Thank you seek - I would like to see something in writing. lILnde
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Thank you, Susan. I'll keep taking it past the allergy season and see if it helps.
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Hi Ladies, I have a quick question for you all. I am 4.5 years into my 5 years on Arimidex. It hasn't been too bad-a few joint aches and pains and occasional brain farts. Now within the past 3 months I seem to be losing my memory and ability to focus sometimes. I feel spaced out and flaky and it's starting to embarrass me in front of co-workers and family. I start to do something, become easily distracted and can't remember what I started to do in the first place! I'm hoping it's the Arimidex and some of this will subside once I'm off of it 5 years, Has anyone had this happen!! Am I just loosing my mind?
Thanks! Katiejane
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spunkyboobster: I took one 24-hour tablet, can't recall the dosage (not the Claritin D, just the regular Claritin).
Susan
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Anybody know if there are SE's from Claritin? Can we just take one every night, or whenever we take our other medications?
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Katiejane - I have been having episodes like that lately. I am almost two years into taking Arimidex (on Tamoxifen for one year). It's like my mind stops working. I am in the middle of a sentence and can't think of the next word. I am easily distracted too. I'm not sure if this is from the Arimidex or just natural aging - but I'm only 54 years old! It's getting pretty scary. I have actually thought about not taking the Arimidex but scared to stop. I was highly estrogen +.
You're lucky you only have 1/2 year left on this drug. Maybe these symptoms will subside once you're off.
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katiejane
I could have written every word you wrote. Never heard the expression "brain farts" before, perfect. I describe my brain as swiss cheese, and notice a LOT of stuff falls into the holes.
don23 - 5 years is no longer the SOC for everyone. I will be on for much longer.
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Sunflower and Don23, Thanks for getting back to me and sharing your experience. I know the feeling of the brain that quits mid-sentence!!! Once I lose the next word of a sentence, that's it! Chances are I won't be able to finish what I started to say. I have heard that this is one of the common side effects but I think this is worse then when I had Chemo brain!!! I do look forward to finishing up the 5 years but then that opens up a new can of worries as I was 100% estrogen positive and 98% progesteron positive! katiejane
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Thanks, Susan. I'm going to pick some up this weekend.
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