Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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Thought I might get through with just some joint pain and hot flashes, but at the 2 1/2 month point of taking Arimi (generic) I got hit with major fatigue, a bloated stomach and the beginning signs of depression. I'm eating clean (grains, veggies and fruit, no sugar, little meat) and exercising 6 days a week-feeling a bit discouraged.
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spunky...hang in there girl...it's menopause all over again! OH JOY! Let your body get used to robbing you of all estrogen and see if it settles down. Try to ignore the depression if possible, if I let myself, I could get in a deep funk too. I just really try to distract myself. I clean the house till I ache....that does it (so far). I am into my 4th month of Arimidex.
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Blessedone2- You reminded me that I also had plantar facscitis and so did my husband. (it's not contagious!) long before I started on Arimidix. . I had months of foot pain. You can get special insoles for shoes and do exercises to help it get better. There is plenty of info online. If you are not sure what your pain is and it's not getting better try seeing a podiatrist.
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Hello ladies, I am glad I found this topic. Finished my chemo May 1st waiting to start arimidex-have to have bone density and PET Scan next week first. I am kind of anxious but just want to get started so I can hopefully get closer to back to normal. Trying to have a positive attitude but sometimes its hard, keep telling myself "It is what it is" and one step at a time. Thanks for all the posts it helps to know I'm not alone. Have a good afternoon.
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Welcome Tskaiser. I'm actually pretty new here too and agree that it's reassuring to be sharing this journey with kindred souls.
Spunkyboobs-I suggest you discuss your symptoms with your primary care physician or any. It may be SEs. But it is also classic signs for thyroid disorder so they may want to rule that out with a simple blood test. Hope you find a way to feel better. You certainly sound like you have been doing all the right things.0 -
Thanks-I've been on synthroid (125mg) for hypothyroidism for about 25 years, but it's been about a year since my last blood test, so it's time to go in for a check up.
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YES, HIGH CHOLESTEROL is a SE of being on an AI. Amazing, isn't it, what estrogen effects in our bodies!!!
If you can take Niacin ( ruthbru wil chime in here) ask our doc about it. It really lowered my cholesterol, and also raised my fasting blood glucose level, as some of the statins seem to do in quite a good number of people.
But, High cholesteral can be moderated by, aw, I hate to even write the word, exercise, and diet: Fish Oil, almonds, fiber, oatmeal, olive oil - lotsa good stuff.
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Sept will mark my 3rd year on arimidex. I just had a dexa scan and my bones are still great for my age, 69. I'm a walker and the regular weight-bearing exercise is probably a major factor.
Cholesterol has become elevated so I'm on a statin. I'm borderline diabetic, but that's probably just hereditary. Senior diabetes runs in my family. For several months I've been trying to deal with an odd bp issue. BP is very high in the morning, then moderates and becomes normal by afternoon. Is quite low at night when I go to bed. High again the next morning. I take the arimidex at night so I'm wondering if it is causing the bp elevation. Am tempted to go off the arimidex for a week or two just to see if there's a change.
Has anyone else experienced this bp phenomenon?
Have experienced weight gain and cannot seem to lose weight despite exercise and sensible diet. My bc dr's NP says that is common, that the absence of estrogen makes weight loss difficult.
All in all the SEs have been tolerable and my bc dr. is a real believer in the benefits of arimidex.
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Thought I'd chime in here - you can have high bp, high chloresterol, high blood sugar (high enough to be sent for pre-diabetes counselling) on Arimidex and Femara - I know this firsthand because I was on both and (as some of you may know) I dropped the drugs almost two years ago - both my onc and my PCP are aware and so far so good - I was always exercising and eating well but nothing could control my bp or blood sugar - everything has been back to normal since I dropped the AIs - also the pain in my knees disappeared overnight - also the sudden depression that gripped me (and made me think life wasn't worth living) disappeared at the same time - I am just one of those people who is "allergic" to the meds - I gave them a good try but for me it didn't work. I know so many ladies on here who haven't had se's or been able to control them with various and sundry interventions but there are some of us for whom QOL just isn't there.
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I already was on cholesterol medication (Prevastatin) before BC. I'm in my 2nd month with Arimidex and will have my cholesterol checked next week and then have my first appointment with my PCP since I started "A."
My question is for those of you on Niacin. My PCP mentioned it to me once and may do so again. The first time I said "no way, no how" because my husband had a violent reaction to Niacin that sent him to the hospital in an ambulance.
Have any of you had a bad reaction to Niacin?
Thanks.
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No experience with Niacin. Anyone try Red Yeast Rice? I have a friend who was successful lowering cholesterol with this.
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dobie
I think, not sure, but remember a "warning" when I researched red yeast rice - estrogenic????
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WaveWhisperer - I take Slo-Niacin 500mg/day (250mg morning and evening) by Upsher-Smith. The most common SE from Niacin is flushing. I haven't had any problems taking this, possibly because it's a slow-release formulation, plus I'm splitting the dose. I started taking it before I was being so good about exercising (have always eaten well), but I have a family history. The Niacin worked for me to get my cholesterol from borderline numbers to good numbers.
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I found a discussion of red yeast rice here:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/79/topic/7413330 -
Hi everyone, I just got back from the orthopedist for the pain in my hands. He gave me a cortisone injection for the trigger thumb in my right hand and he thinks I just have tendonitis in my left hand. He wants me to have an MRI to ensure that it all it is. If it is tendonitis, he will give me a cortisone injection in my left hand, too. Anyway, my right hand feels better already. He agreed that arimidex is a very powerful drug.
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Hi, ladies. I have been spending so much time in my huge yard and garden that I haven't been here much. My house is a wreck, but I feel so peaceful outside that I'm allowing myself lots of time there. I can't do near as much as I wish I could, as far as chores, so something has to go and right now my recovery gets priority! I also have an "adopted" granddaughter next door (none of my own yet) and a few minutes with her fixes whatever is ailing me at the moment. These are the things that enhance my quality of life, when the body isn't feeling so great.
After two months on anastrozole, I was having lots of all-over pain, so I took a two week break and felt wonderful! Also realized I was depressed. I started on letrozole (femara) 6 days ago, and am hoping for fewer SE's. Everyone reacts differently, so there really isn't a "better" AI. I needed the reminder that no recurrence is the goal, so thanks to those who mentioned it.
Wanda, my feet hurt on the bottoms when I first get out of bed - it is an SE - but mine doesn't last long. I am also having lots more hot flashes on femara, but these are manageable too. I already have had chronic pain for 11 years, so it's hard when I feel even more discomfort than usual, but I try to focus on the many things I have to be grateful for, including the medical care that I'm hopeful will give me many more years to live.
This discussion board can scare anyone with all the SE's, but we have to remember that those who are doing great aren't as likely to post as those of us who need information and encouragement. I'm so glad you are all here to help me along!
Have a great day! Barb
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Hi ladies - I'm 3+ years out - have been taking Arimidex for almost 2 years. I've developed some painful little bumps on the index fingers of both left and right hands near the joints. The oncology nurse I saw last week said it looked like beginning of arthritis but I'm super paranoid about 'bone mets' and other signs of new cancer. Would you go back to the onc or directly to an orthepedist? xray or mri? In new territory here - would love to hear some advice.
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dlebleu - I have the start of some knobiness in my index fingers and some smaller "bumps" on the knuckles. Mine started before Arimidex and are related to degenerative arthritis. Bone mets would be extremely unlikely to start in your knuckles. I wouldn't stress about that.
However, if they're painful you should have them checked out. Seems like your primary MD would be a good place to start and perhaps he/she would order an X-ray if you're really concerned. I doubt they would do an MRI for this unless it was recommended in the X-ray report.
Hang in there!!!
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dlebleu, I have a similar lump on my wrist near the base of my thumb. I did not have it until I started on arimidex. Today, I saw my orthopedist about hand pain in general. He felt the lump and looked at my X-rays. He said he is almost completely positive that it nothing serious, but since I had BC, he ordered an MRI just to be extra cautious.
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Hello All,
I just read this in a book and i hope it makes you laugh like i did.
"I have two hormones left in my body. Benedict and Arnold"
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macatacmv-thanks for the smile, great way to start the weekend
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I started Anastrozole a couple months ago and my major complaint is frequent exhaustion. Some days I can barely function. I also have hot flashes and have gained some weight. Joint pain too, mainly in my right arm.. shoulder to fingers! I've noticed a bit of weakness in that arm but that can be from the joint pain. I still need to get a baseline Dexa scan. My mother has severe osteoporosis so that could be a factor for me.
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Macatac......good one.....giggle, giggle, giggle
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Anybody having problems with swelling in feet and ankes and maybe the knees from Arimidex? I have been trying to control it with over the counter diuretics but it is taking days and days to clear up. I mentioned this to oncologist's nurse probably 6 months or so ago and she said to use the over the counter if I could but it may be necessary to have a perscription strength diuretic. Anybody else have advice? How long should a diuretic take to get the swelling down? Thanks.
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Cowgirl, yes I had severe swelling on hands feet ankles and wrists on Arimidex and I'm already on prescription water pill. I did not realize just how swollen thy were unti I went off it. took a 3 week break and got on Aromasin (generic) and feel so much better with less side effects. Just some fatique and tingling in hands which could be the start of carpel tunnel syndrome. Asked my OT about it and started hand and wrist exercises and it is almost gone with consistency.
Tell your Oncologist about the swelling.0 -
Hi ,I am new to this discussion having taken arrimidex now for about 4 months. I am recovering from breast reconstruction and reduction surgery about 2 months ago but overall feel good. However, I am still fatigued and have gained about 30 pounds since chemo, and 4 surgeries since Jan 2011. I don't eat flour, any sugar and weigh and measure all food intake. Yet still am not losing the weight Is the fatigue and difficulty losing weight due to arrimidex? At first I thought weight gain was due to the thyroidectomy I had last year and the chemo, and herceptin but that was stopped 2 months ago. My weight has also redistributed in a distressing way recently , look like I have buddha belly. I never had this before, even when I was even more overweight, look like I am 6 months pregnant.
Ideas welcommed. This cannot be healthy. I know that excess weight is a risk factor for cancer. Has anyone found this pattern of abdominal weight gain with arrimidex and what do you do about it? 100 sit ups/day??
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Geocachelin, like you, my major complaint is joint pain -- and all on the right side, especially the right shoulder and right hip. I also have worsening tingling in the right hand and occasional cramps in that hand.
Others, what kind of exercises does one do for carpal tunnel??
And Serenitywisdom, I don't know the answer, but you're definitely not the only one struggling with weight gain. I gained almost 30 pounds during chemo and have not been able to get any of it off, and most of it is around my middle. I'm sure being on the "A" team isn't helping.
All of this is better than the SE with chemo, but it's still disheartening to be through active treatment and not feel "well."
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Wave, I had the start of carpal tunnel before beginning AI, so I have worn the wrist splints to bed all along. I go to a chiropractor to have my wrists put back in place on a maintenance schedule. The exercises are basically, holding fingers back from palm with other hand so you get a really good stretch of the palm and under wrist muscles. Other one is just holding fingers spread and stretched as much as possible. I am sure there are others and I know that there are hand therapists that would have better advise.
Benedict and Arnold took over this weekend. I was an unhappy camper. My mood can snap so quickly that it scares me and the people around me. My 26 y/o DS is living with me for the summer and trying to help. Yikes! We are reliving the teen years with me in menopause again! I so don't want to go there!
I think for me the biggest issue is how much time is involved here. I want to get through this and it is not an easy or quick way out. So I will muddle through and am so glad that this forum is here to help us all realize we are not alone. And (for me) not crazy!
Nancy
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When I was on Arimidex for about a year my fingers started to curve in. General stretching didn't help. When I started washing my floors on my hands and knees and doing a lot of gardening on my hands and knees, my fingers straightened out. I still do a lot of gardening to keep my fingers straight and because I always have weeds, but I only do my floors on my hands and knees a couple of times a year. The rest of the time, I am back to a Swiffer.
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serenity-I too have tho buddha belly and I eat clean and exercise almost everyday. I don't know if it's the anastrozle or being thrown into menopause after my oopherectomy in March. I don't like it either, but it beats dealing with cancer again. I don't see my MO until September, but I'll ask then.
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