Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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I had shingles on both sides of my face at once. This is rare and I don't ever want to go through it again. I got the vaccine.
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I've never gotten a flu shot, I have had shingles, however, and it was the most painful thing I've ever experienced. My pcp said I should get a shingles vaccination, but insurance said I wasn't old enough and wouldn't cover.0
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Your posts are all so informative and helpful..I was on Fareston for about 6 months and felt great! The only downside is that it is expensive, it costs me 150/mo after insurance. Plus, there is a SE risk of Endrometrial Cancer (scares me!!). So my onc decided to have me try the Armidex since I am now Post Men from the Lupron shots. I have been on them for one week and my feet are killing me, my bones ache (especially in the morning), I was getting nauseaus but that has stopped. I am not sure if I can take feeling like I am 90 years old for the next 5 years. I would rather go back on the Fareston and pay the $$ but Im afraid of the Endrometial Cancer risk. I have scheduled a hysterectomy end of September (or an Ooph only) but am afraid I am rushing into something for no reason?? Am I reacting crazy? Has anyone here had one?
The Fareston is mostly used in Europe, from what I was told. People who can not tolerate the break down of Tamox CYP ingred, can tolerate Fareston (toremifene). That was me and I felt alive!! But to what expense? Sigh....
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Plus my lower back is KILLING me!! just had to add that in, thanks!!
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Keep moving and give your body some time to adjust. Hopefully the SEs will diminish.
spunky, maybe your doctor could write the shingles shot under some sort of 'high risk' code and insurance would cover it.
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I got the shingles shot six months ago after a six month wait because there is a shortage of the vaccine in Ontario - I also had to pay out of pocket $200 because it is not covered by insurance here - as to age appropriateness - I've had friends who've had awful cases of shingles in their early 40s although I gather it is more frequent in the over 60s but who wants to take a chance - it can be an awful experience and in extreme cases you are stuck with it for the rest of your life.
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Isnt that lovely, spunk ?
In most states the shingles shot costs about $250 and in MOST cases, they want you to be 60 or over.Silly!
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I get the flu shot every year. It's required by my job in health care. We reccomend that our pregnant ladies get it since it is safe, not a live virus so would think it is safe for everyone. IMHO If you are immune compromised the risk of complication from getting flu is much greater than the risk of the vaccine. But like said earlier always good to check with your doc. I plan to get a shingles vaccine ASAP. My dad had it a few years ago in his 80s and was very sick for months and months. My understanding is that if you have had Shingles, the vaccine is not recommended since a reocurrance would be extremely rare.
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Just recently they lowered the suggested age for the shingles shot. I will ask my onc when I see him next week. Besides the pain, shingles can cause permanent nerve damage. My FIL had shingles, they couldn't get it under control and he can no longer lift his left ARM above his shoulder. It's frozen. This was before the newer tx for shingles, but still, you don't want it. Much love
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Dobie, I've had shingles twice. Both my PCP and my MO recommended I get the shingles shot as it might help to alleviate the symptoms if I get another outbreak.
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Dobie...that's what I'm thinking. If chemo compromises the immune system, it would make sense to get the flu vaccine. I've been getting it for about 5 or 6 years. I have only had the flu twice in my almost 62 years. You feel like you're dying. So that on top of BC, chemo, etc would really be bad, and RISKY!
I have 2 sons who have both had shingles. One at age 20, and the other at age 11. That's right! I said 11. Doctors were so amazed at his young age, they had 7 different doctors come through the Er exam room to look him over.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Ruthbru, does these SE (aches/pains) go away after some time?? I wake up in such pain every morning and its just one week on this.
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B123...try taking 1-24 hr Claritin allergy pill...just the antistimine NOT the one with the decongestant type! Take it with your Arimidex. I did as did several others and it works!
I have since cut down on the dose, taking just one a week and so far the pains and aches are fine.
Just a suggestion...my MO said it was OK BUT to try to do without if the pains subside.
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Shatzi14, I dont understand, why Claritin for pain? That works better then Tylenol? Thank you so much for the suggestion!! I appreciate it so much. Im ready to throw in the towel on this.. and go back to Fareston with risking Endrom Cancer.
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I have no clue....I KNOW it works...many of us that had to take Neulasta with chemo were advised to take it also...it sure stopped the bone and joint pain so we tried it with Arimidex too.
Try it and see ....you will be amazed and it is harmless. It works when Tylenol won't. You have nothing to lose at this point! Good luck.
BTW...I am into my 7th month with Arimidex and no pain once I started the Claritin. Just give it a try.
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Claritan is for inflammation, not for pain. It may help reduce the chances of getting pain due to inflammation.
BTW, even if your insurance doesn't pay, you might be able to get your MO to get it approved due to your condition.
If you take the RX for shingles to the drugstore (i.e., Walgreen's) the pharmacist can do the injection. Even if you don't have insurance, it's about $275 or so. To me, it's worth it, if you can afford it (if the insurance doesn't pay for it).
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kj...whatever Claritin does, it's a miracle as far as I am concerned. As I said, I took it daily for 4 months after suffering aches and pains for a few months. So far, this month I have taken just one as I haven't needed it (so far). If the pain starts again...back to the Claritin! I try to take as few meds as possible.
I agree with the shingles idea...I read here that Canada has a shortage of them (the injections not the virus LOL) so might have to wait a while for one.
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Canada did (does) have a shortage of shingles vacs so you have to put your name in at the pharmacy and they'll call you when it comes in.
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So it's important to take the Claritin at the same time as the Arimidex? Allergy meds make me feel weird (fuzzy and floaty), but Claritin seems the least offensive. However, I usually break the tablet in half and take one in am and one in pm. Perhaps that's why I haven't had any change in my stiffness and pain?
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Tina....I always take it with the Arimidex...I never found Claritin to have that effect on me. Perhaps the 24 hr one is less strong over the day. It puzzles me that it works but I don't question it....but as I said, when the aches and pains disappeared, I take the Claritin less and less.
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I just checked on Claritin at Walmart earlier today, for when I might need it later on. It said 24 hour nondrowsy. Is that the right one? It's the only one I saw.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Shatzi14, I tried Claritin once a long time ago and it made me very jittery.. Im afraid to do it again.. Does Zyrtec have the same effect??
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Tina, I take the 24-hour one and don't have those S/E's either. I know what you mean though as far as making you feel loopy and out of it. The claritan 24-hour one doesn't feel like I have any S/E's, which is good because there's enough from the other stuff.
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Soteria...yes it is the non drowsy one with JUST the antihistamine and NOT the decongestant ...the box just has the one drug...there is another type that has both on the box! Check to make sure you aren't getting the one with the decongestant....you don't need that.
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Soteria...yes it is the non drowsy one with JUST the antihistamine and NOT the decongestant ...the box just has the one drug...there is another type that has both on the box! Check to make sure you aren't getting the one with the decongestant....you don't need that.
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B123...sorry can't answer that because I have only ever taken the 24 hr non drowsy Claritin. Perhaps it effects people differently. I have never had any SEs with Claritin.
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Take Claritin, NOT Claritin D.
B123, I started out achy and slowly my body adjusted. I would say it was about 6 months before I thought one night, "Oh, I was not at all achy today." So it was a very gradual thing.
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Mostlysew- you poor dear- shingles twice! What terrible luck to get a rare 2nd case. Well, better to be safe than sorry and get the immunization. But for those who cannot afford it or do not have it available it may provide some reassurance if they have already had the condition to know that it is less likely to reoccur.
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Ruthbru, thanks for that.. you make it sound so easy..
I hope I can last on it that long to find out if it works that way for me. I feel very old. Glad it worked for you...Is it necessary to get ovaries out and/or hysterectomy to avoid any other cancers? I am bracha Neg.
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Dobie, thanks. My body's just weird. I've had chicken pox twice also, and then a minor outbreak with the shingles shot. Go figure!
Also, for those that haven't had the shot, or have had and get shingles anyway, there is an antiviral they can give you, but only if it's caught early. So at the first sign of a hives looking outbreak, get it checked.0
