Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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ginger...no...what did it say?
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http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/calcium-supplement-linked-higher-heart-attack-risk
I copied it not sure it will come over here, but its linked to higher heart attack risk...
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What I've come to find is that the news will blare out a big headline, scare everyone to death, and then it fizzles out. After my last round of chemo, I came home and on the news the big medical story was that some study showed that one of the drugs I was given was NOT effective 90% of the time!!! Turns out the study was flawed, I am fine, and the drug is still one of the mainstays today.......after about giving me a heart attack from worrying about it!!! So after that, I am really skeptical about studies. What I do is make sure I get calcium through my diet every day, do the weight bearing exericises every day, and take a couple calcium chews plus D. I don't rely on suppliments only to keep the bones in shape.
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I have read that calcium supplements are not advised for those of us on thyroid meds...damned if ya do...damned if ya don't! Calcium in the diet doesn't seem enough for those of us on Arimidex tho. I am really confused on this issue. I need to have another bone density test...haven't gotten around to it yet. My MO said "no not yet". I have no idea why he said that. I will get my GP to order one.
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schatzi - I've been on thyroid meds for 30 years - you can take calcium supplements, but just not at the same time as the thyroid meds. The calcium interferes with the absortion. ie. I take my thyroid meds first thing in the am, calcium, vitamins, and joint pain meds with dinner, then arimidex and celexa before bed. We cancer patients keep the drug companies in business - don't we?
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MamaV...me too...been on synthroid for 35 years...I take my meds early in the a.m....I figured Arimidex would be better for hot flashes in the morning instead of bedtime...so far...no SEs at all. Just starting my 4th month. What is the celexa for?
You are so right about keeping the drug companies in business...my pill dispenser keeps getting bigger to hold them all...
I see you had the DD/AC...I had to quit after the third dose...took the 12 Taxol tho...was OK actually. Did 16 rads as well...also OK
I am almost 16 weeks PFC and have been "topless" for weeks now...a short shag LOL
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Just can't take calcium within 4 hours of taking the thyroid med.
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sunflowers...I guess I did know that years ago...just never took calcium cause it gave me heartburn...need to try again I guess plus Vit D.
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Hi, Mostly sew,
As I know Prolia is denosumab as Xgeva - a small dose 2x yearly and Xgeva the same dose every months!
Have a lot information about!
Best wishes
usha
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schatzi - Celexa is for anxiety - I have issues - LOL! I only get hot flashes if I eat chocolate candy - go figure! Figured that one out when I gave up chocolate candy for lent - ha ha!
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THX
I am getting soooooo frustrated., I've pretty much decided to skip the rads. which means I'd be crazy to ignore hormonal theray. I MUST have it, IMO and in my DRs!) They suggest arimidex as I am post meno.The problem is I have osteopenia, at the least. I went for another bone scan today ( results next week) and after comparing them from 2000, 2004 and 2006 when I exercised more and was once on calcitonin and once on actonel, things dont look good at all. I can't imagine I wont have lost a LOT more now. Here is is 2012.
What the heck do BC pts do when they already have significant osteo issues? Yes, I know- the biophospahtes , but If you have thin bones they can cause jaw issues and even more brilttle vones.
I cannot imagine my QOL with any of this !
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purple...is it possible for you to take Tamoxifen instead of Arimidex? As I understand it there is far less bone loss with Tamoxifen...some women take T for a few years then switch to Arimidex.
Please anyone, if I am wrong, please correct me!
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MamaV...LOL...eating NO chocolate would cause me severe anxiety!
On second thought, small price to pay for no hot flashes. I am not bothered by them YET. I only had the occasional one when I went thru menopause so maybe I will be lucky with Arimidex...so far, so good. Actually they are the least of my worries.
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purple32- I too have osteopenia with a family history of osteoporosis. I'm on Arimidex and will have Zometa 2x per year. I was very reluctant, but because it also helps prevent breast cancer from forming in the bones, I'm going to do it.
I managed to stablize my bone loss by taking 2000iu of Vitamin D. My blood test a couple of years ago was very low. The addition of Vit D has stablized my bone loss and raised the Vit D level to the high 50s. Still not high enough though. I've exercised regularly for years, so can only tie the stablization to the Vit D. Are you taking this? I've increased it to 4000iu and am taking care of all dental issues before starting the Zometa.
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I have a friend with osteopenia, she was already on a very low dose of Boniva. She completed her 5 years of Arimidex with no further bone loss. I have another friend with full blown osteoporosis. She added an endrocronologist to her team; he suggested she do tamoxifin instead, so that is what she is doing.
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ruthbru...some of us with blood clot issues can't take Tamoxifin but it's good to know that there are things we can take to help prevent bone loss.
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It is all a balancing act, isn't it? There is not a RIGHT answer that fits everyone, that is for sure.
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oh for sure....there are so many variables
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schatzi - many of the calciums are "buffered" now, slow release, lots of factors to help prevent heartburn. good luck.
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My MO told me to take Caltrate-she said it would not affect my synthorid. I double checked with the pharmacist and he agreed with MO.
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I am between a rock and a hard place. Don't want the AIs due to my severe osteoporosis, but am on a blood thinner so can't take Tamoxafin.
The onc wants to talk to me about "other" options. But are there any?
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dogsandjogs - There is a third class of anti-hormonal, but it is similar to Tamoxifen. But, could be worth checking out:
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/
Best wishes!
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Thanks so much for this info. I'll study it and discuss it with my onc.
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dogs...
that's a difficult choice. I don't know about the more "natural" ways to deal with this, but depending on the % of E+, you may be able to address it with supplements and diet ( food) - have you checked the Complimentary Forum? I know there are several women who post often on these boards who are trying the more 'natural' approach to reducing Estrogen.
good luck.
Also,many of the major cancer centers, Sloan Kettering, Dana Farber, have excellent websites with nutritional information.
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Thanks for your suggestions Sunflower--
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I am at the 4.5 year mark taking Arimidex and am just about to give it up. I have had every SE in the book, frozen shoulders, insomnia, vaginal dryness that is now an Olympic sport, depression but now the bone and joint pain is getting to me. I spoke to my Onc who states ok to stop. The ATAC study which is what the AI's are based was a 5 year trial but the info doesn't state anything about 5 years but a magic number. Any thoughts?
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Aug...did you try taking Claritin? I haven't had any bone or joint pain yet but it saved my skin when I was taking Neulasta! If and when I get it with Arimidex, I will start immediately. It is harmless as well.
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My MO feels that I get enough calcium from the food I eat and wants me only to take 2,000 units of Vit. D. I hope she's right as I'm not low on the Vit D. but I feel good with it. My nails are so bad now that there is virtually no white part on many of my nails and the shredding wants to go into the pink part. I'm getting really discouraged with this and figure it must be the AI even though I've been on it 9 mos. now. My left knee feels like it has fluid in it too and that started just recently. I think I saw someone on these boards say she's heard some women don't get SE's for many months after starting. Is this the case with anyone else?
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Aug,
With an oncotype of 11, and 4 1/2 years done - seems like you DESERVE a long break from it. Seeing how you feel after a few months, you can go back on if you need to for "emotional" reasons - which I FULLY understand. Really, my stats are much worse than yours, and I've convinced my oncologist that I want to do at least 6 years.
NOW, for the SE's. Don't know what you've already tried - and I sound like a blinkity blink broken record, but I have gotten so much relief from acupuncture, that I no longer need ANY pains meds. I do the claritin too. GLuten free really helped chase the joint pain OUT of my body. An amazing difference.
Vaginal Dryness as an Olympic Sport. LOL LOL LOL - this is about the only "sport" where I know I can beat anyone. Well, yes, being 67 adds to this "issue"- but really - being on the A Team, this is the main SE I can't get rid of. COmfortable now, that I use a home made "suppository" of Organic Cocoa Butter. Chip a little piece out of the jar, and inset b4 sleep. Learned about it on the "scream cream thread" - used to made suppositories out of extra virgin coconut oil ( put a little piece in plastic wrap, put in fridget to solidify) but honestly, the ORGANIC COCOA BUTTER is the best. I've told everyone I know, that if they find out it is "not approved" for E+ women, then I do NOT want to be told. Queen of DeNile, yes, but finally, oh, damn, finally almost comfortable.
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SunflowersMA - Ah, cocoa butter? Someone suggested coconut oil also, or I missread this somewhere. Coconut oil has been working well. I make frozen suppositories. Will try cocoa butter when I run out. Coconut oil is a little messy but really works well, everywhere. When I told my RO about it, I got some raised eyebrows. Not sure what my MO will say. This is when I wish I had female oncology drs. It's a little embarrassing to bring it up when I'm asked about SEs.
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