Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
Comments
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BTW... I am 68, married with 2 girls (43 and 48) with a 24 yr old granddaughter.
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The Onc said that would probably be the age I will be when the cancer comes back if I were not to take the arimidex... but how about the other good breast??? I am 58 - 1 girl - 35 and 1 boy 34 - 3 grandchildren - 11, 5, and 2.. the thought of seeing them grow up is what keeps me going.. but the depression this week is the worst its been in years... I have issues with someone that is living with us and the stress level is taking all my energy..
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gma...I am sorry you are stressed. That is one thing you certainly don't need. There are a few here that suffer from depression while taking Arimidex. I don't but if I did, I would certainly talk to my MO about it. I am sure you hate the idea of taking MORE meds but if it can help with your depression, it might be the route to take (at least temporarily). At this point, we need all the help we can get
I just had my first follow-up mammo and I too was concerned about the "good" breast. The results came back "normal"...we will always worry about recurrence or the other breast. Perhaps after a few years, we can relax. At least we are doing all we can to avoid it.
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schatzl - One thing I didn't say - the mammos I have had - none of the lumps I had, showed up on them.. If I didn't feel them first, they would have been undetectable.
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gma...exactly the same for me...no lump at all and I had 2 previous biopsies almost in the identical spot and they showed "no cancer in the milk ducts"! Pffffffft
I was shocked when a digital mammo showed several IDC's and DCIS's. Luckily for me, I had good margins first time out! I also had chemo before rads.
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I have a question! I've had a lot of those lately. Is there a good chance that arimidex will keep us from ever getting cancer in the good breast? I mean, I know there are other kinds, but I'm talking about Er+/pr+.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Soteria....I am hoping so, plus the chemo and rads should help any spreading. Should certainly help against any cells that are ER+. I am sure there are others on this thread that would have better answers to that VERY good question. I will ask my MO when I see him in October!
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I just spoke to my advocate at my mo. She got the funding for my arimidex. It will take another week or so to get to me, but at least I know now, that's its on the way. I only need the funding til october.
I was beginning to get nervous, as it was prescribed 9 days ago. Since we are waiting until October to do surgery, the surgeon & Mo wanted me on it right away.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Yes, Armidex will reduce your chances both of a recurrence and of a new estrogen positive breast cancer.
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Ruthbru...I see you were dx some time ago. Are you Ned?
This is pretty scary stuff.
Blessings
Paula0 -
ruth...are you still eating prunes?
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Joan
I have osteopenia , am 54 and have had 3 FX. I just wont take the arimidex.
You might want to consider taking a peek at some of the alternative therapy forums. There are other things Like DIM for example, that some women take instead of an RX and they believe it will work. It's a very personal decision and one you should research thoroughly and discuss with your DR.
I know for me, I just cant bring myself to take anything that will accelerate bone loss by 7 times. I am still looking into the best alternative for me.
Good luck to you.
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Does taking Fosomax or any of those drugs help to counter the bone damage done by arimidex etc?
I was diagnosed about 10 years ago with osteopenia in the wrist & knee. But, when I had a bone scan of the hip & spine last year, it didn't show anything, so my internist took me off of Fosomax.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Paula...
I sure hope so...I was diagnosed last week with early osteopenia and no meds are recommended for me at this point. I will just keep an eye on any future bone loss. There is a study that says eating 8 to 10 prunes a day will REVERSE bone loss. My MO and PCP both chuckle at that idea but what can it hurt unless your system can't handle it? Prunes have no effect on me that way.
Ruthbru is a real advocate for prunes...hope she can shed some more light on the subject. At this point I would take almost anything for no recurrence of ER+ , including Arimidex altho I dunno if I will stick it out the whole 5 years.
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Yes, I am NED (knock on wood). I have 6 Armidex left in the bottle and my 5 years will be up. If it has had any part in my being around, and cancer-free, these last 5 years, then I am eternally grateful.
Some of the potenial problems associated with Arimidex are just an unlucky way your body responds, but there are things that can help minimize SEs for many people (at least they did for me).
This is my story:
* My bones have been fine: a serving of prunes every day, I do lots and lots of weight bearing exercise every single week, eat calcium chews plus vitamin D and get two servings of dairy a day, plus the leafy vegetables etc.
* My weight has stayed the same (4 hours of aerobic exercise and 3 hours of toning every week no matter what else is going on).
* My blood pressure is good (2-3 ounces of at least 70% dark chocolate a day plus the exercise and keeping the weight down).
* My cholesterol is OK (high runs in the family, so I was already teetering before BC. I take niacin (check with your doctor), eat oatmeal every day and try to get more fruits, veggies, and less red meat (my diet is my downfall!)
*I take a daily baby asprin, which looks like it may reduce recurrence risk and also is good for the heart (check with your doctor).
Staying healthy as one ages is WORK, and will be even without Armidex!!!
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thanks ruthbru for your input.
My downfall is lack of exercise (due to herniated and bulging discs in my cervical spine). Even slow walking on the treadmill or sidewalk means I will pay the price in a few hours. I try to watch my diet but the calcium thing is up for debate these days, supposedly it can cause a 75% increase in heart problems. When I went for my DEXA last week even the tech was questioning the use of it.
My MO called this week and he suggested just taking Vit D for now. There are so many differing views of everything one is damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Even the study on prunes that I read, warned of taking it if you have cancer or tumours. Do we, have we? I have no clue.
Congrats on being NED for 5 years...that is fantastic! Have you considered continuing on Arimidex? Some girls say they would like to because they feel more sure of NED with it.
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My onc says that he want me done, because it is, of course, a 'serious' drug; and there is (at this time) no evidence that it says to take it beyond 5. He said he would consider up to 7 years (no longer for anyone) for ladies who aren't having bad SEs and are Stage III or node positive....and then it would just be something to consider (like how estrogen positive the tumor was etc.), not an automatic 'stay on it'. If you are just starting, you may find this hard to believe, but it is kind of scary to be done too!
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SOTERIA
Fosomax has its own issues. Research it. (Thank God for online !)I was on actonel and continued to have bone loss and fractures. Finally, I saw a TV commercial of a class action suit where ppl. had broken their femur bone just walking along. I tossed that bottle right in the trash.
Be very careful, do your own research and then check with your dr. Sadly, we dont have lots of good options when we go into this with thin bones. As someone said, ruthbru swears by the prunes. I tried them, but with my metformin, I cant make it to the bathroom in time and a girl has to work so.......
Of course, if you are ABLE to do weight bearing exercise that is a big plus. The Ca and D are no brainers.
Good luck to you.
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The combo is Calcium, Vitamin D3, and Magnesium to build or maintain bone.
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Thx gmafoley I will try that thread, I never knew BC was so complicated (Shut up April Lavigne) cause I gotta drop and fluff before somebody tries to put syrup on these pancakes!
Congrats Ruthbru for getting close to your 5 yrs cancer free..yay!!! Thx to all for sharing,we are getting more beautiful and smarter every day by pooling all our knowledge.
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Schatzi, Ruth,Purple, & Notself, thank you all for your input.
I do already take low-dose aspirin each day, and have for about a year. I take B12 for pernicious anemia, magnesium-calcium-potassium for leg cramps, and D3 because mine was low when I had Bloodwork in April.
My cholesterol is excellent, at least so far, even though I've always been over weight. Exercise is difficult as I have degenerative disc & joint disease. But, I do have a gazelle, and can do that. I walk with a cane when I go away from home, more for balance than anything else.
I love dried prunes! Do they count? I've been trying to eat more fruits & vegetables, fish, & chicken, and less red meat. Even though I'm heavy, I'm not a big eater at all. I don't snack, and I never eat seconds. I have noticed that since my husband changed jobs, and I'm eating much earlier in the day, my clothes are getting looser without me doing anything else.
What kind of weight bearing exercises could I do t home starting out. I want to try to get myself stronger before surgery in October, especially my legs. I usually use my left arm whenever I get into my husbands truck or rise from a chair, and since it's the left Breast in question, I'm trying to practice rising without using that arm.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Schatzi, Ruth, Purple, notself & Soteria,
Wow, thanks for taking the time to give me your thoughts and your courses of action! I definitely need to take a little time to do some research before I start my hormone therapy. The was very comfortable with my decisions for lumpectomy, radiation, and to forego chemo. But I am really struggling with the plan after that.
Right now my MO is recommending that I try Anastrazole for 5 yrs and receive Zometa IV bi-annually for 2 years. He sites some research that Zometa may reduce distant recurrance in the bones along with the fact that I already have osteoporisis in my spine.
But for many reason's I am concerned about all the bisphosphonates. It's just so hard to weigh through all the reports.
if I gleen any new info from my MO I'll be sure and post! Everyone have a great labor day weekend!
Soteria, I'd give you some suggestions on weightbearing exercises and home but I haven't been doing them either! I have done yoga 2-3xweek for several years and I ride my bike when it's nice outside. But I just haven't been able to do the weights thing. Guess I'll have to start!
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As for the weights, I am leery now of lymphedema.
I dunno'.
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Soteria, when I read your second paragraph, I could have written that! I, too, have degenerative joints, walk with a cane, am overweight, etc. I was going to chemo rehab, (read as physical therapy, lite style) but had to stop for my TE operation. And now, because of my MUGA results, have to wait longer to restart. Oh well. My pt gave me some isometric exercises to do when I could because my knees are so bad. I am glad you are practising without using your ARM, it will help. Also, if you can get a raised toilet seat, they are cheap and really help. Much love.
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Walking, running, marching in place, dancing, stair climbing, anything where you pound your bones will build bones and bone strength. Bike riding and swimming don't 'count' for weight bearing (but are still great for cardio vascular health, and swimming is especially good if you have back or knee issues). As for weights, if you can work with a trainer or PT, that would be good, but I just bought a bunch of exercise DVDs, because they tend to do all-over toning and the right balance. Denise Austin, Richard Simmons and others have good, easier toning (and cardio) DVDs (if you go to a thrift store, you can pick them up really cheap!). If you haven't been exercising; start with no weights, just do the motions, then go up to soup cans, 1 pound weights etc. You never have to go to heavy weights to get results. I stick to 3-5-8 pounds. If you go slow and gradually, you will actually reduce your risk of LE or LE flares because you will be building up the lymph system in your arm through exercise.
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Thanks, Ruth!
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Moonflwr
I actually have a raised toilet seat in the shed. We are shopping for new bathroom tile, and then my husband will install the tile & toilet before surgery.
What is MUGA? I keep seeing that on this site.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Thank you Ruth. I have some 5# dumbells, but I guess I should start with lighter ones. Huh? Those are great suggestions.
Walking with a cane causes you to be a bit off kilter, so it's really tiring walking any distance, but I have a rollator walker ( the kind with wheels & a seat) that was my aunts. I was her caregiver in my home for 3 years and she passed away 2 months ago. I think I could get some good walks in with that. It's always easier for me to walk pushing a grocery cart than walking with a cane, so I'll try that. I live just a few blocks from a metro park with great trails. I will start slowly though.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Paula a MUGA is a nuclear heart scan that tells you the ejection fraction (EF) of the left ventricle. Or, in real terms, how much your hearts contraction pushes the blood out. Most people range from 70% down to about 50%. (Because the heart is never really empty) so, like my MUGA was down to 48% so they sent me for an echocardiogram - basically an ultrasound of the heart that may be a bit more clear and if I gained a couple of percentage points I can continue on Herceptin for a while.
And, Paula, please start slowly. That's why I started with chemo rehab, so I could go real slow. Much love.0 -
Moonflwr912,
What was your HER2 score? I hope I am not being intrusive for asking.
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