Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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I have been on arimidex since 7/25 (1 month pfc). My hair is growing like a weed-thank God! It was pretty thick before it all fell out. Even if it's not as thick, I am just happy to have a full head of hair. Had my first bone scan since been on AI. I had one 4 years ago and was borderline osteopenia--left femur. Now 4 years later, I have osteoporsis in the left femur and osteopenia in several different areas. Went for an infusion today and they couldn't get a good vein. I will probably get a monthly shot or semi-annual shot for bone loss-waiting to hear which one my insurance will approve.
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Shatzi, Lupron shots are shots in the belly once a month or you can get a larger dose for every 3 months and it puts you in Menapause (stops the ovaries temporarily). I have no side effects and is quiet easy to do. I am just sick of going every month and may just get an Oopherectomy and be done with it. Please dont worry about asking me anything at anytime!! Thats what I love about this sight and you gals, we can just throw anything out there and help each other out!!
Mena, I didnt know it raises your cholesterol, that explains it.. I never had elevated numbers, but as long as I know what it is and that it wont be serious.
Bethany, I have gained about 4-5 pounds in one and half months and it is scaring me!! I asked my Onc if this will continue and she said no, it will slow down and even out. This is from lack of estrogen?? I hope she is right!
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B123-I opted for the ooph rather than the Lupron. My original onc suggested the Lupron, but my second onc didn't even offer it as an option. Her response when I asked about Lupron was, "I couldn't imagine why anyone would want to get an injection every month when you get be done with an outpatient surgery." Of course I was 51 y.o. and wasn't going to be using my ovaries...
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Funny how different areas do things differently. I couldn't find a surgeon who would take out my ovaries, so I did 5 years of Lupron shots in the butt every 3 months. (Lurpon comes in short and long-acting form). Big needle, big shot, hurts for 2-3 days after. The once a month might have been better, and I could have done it myself. Anyway, that's over for me. I wanted my ovaries out, no surgeon would agree to do it because I wasn't BRCA mutation positive. Wish I had your doc, Spunky!
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Spunkyboobster and nativemaine, I agree it is a pain to do every month but it doesnt hurt me at all, I do the ZOladex (in the stomach) but easy. However Im sick of going each month and I just turned 42 so not looking to have more kids, too risky anyways. I am bracha - so they said it was not necessary to have an Ooph, but I think its easier. Spunky, how long was recovery? I hear it is short and very easy??
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B123....thanks for the info...I hadn't heard of it nor why it is used. I had one ovary out ages ago and the just "disappeared" so I guess that's why it was never mentioned to me PLUS I am almost 69 LOL!!!! If that's not post menopausal I dunno what is....was just curious why some are taking it and others not.
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I did three months of Zoladex in the belly, and developed a rash all over my abdomen after round three. My Gyn decided I should have the ooph andnI ended up having a complete hysterectomy laparoscopically. It was a breeze. Three days later I was out Christmas shopping for five hours. I was age 49 at the time. I was premenopausal when I was dxd.
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B123-it's outpatient surgery done via robotic surgery. From check-in to driving home was just over 5 hours. I was up and about the next day. The downside is immediate menopause and all that comes with it.
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Hello everyone, just wondering if any of you taking Arimidex is experiencing INSOMNIA as a side effect of it . My Onc told me to take it a night and although I have never been a great sleeper, now it is worse!
I take it before going to bed (around 11 PM) and then I am up till 2, 3, 4 am! 7am I am up again.
As a result of not sleeping, the pains and aches all over my body are more intensified during the day.
I have even tried a sleeping pill or melatonin a few times and even with that it takes me 2 hrs. or more to fall asleep.
I am thinking of switching to the morning....so I am wondering " will that help?"
Does anyone else have this problem?
Thanks,
MENA
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I had that problem and switched to taking it in the morning. I had insomnia before my BC dx so I was taking Benadryl. Now I take one Lorazepam and one Benadryl which is a lot for most people, but for me it allows me a decent night's sleep without waking up much. Try taking it in the morning and see if it makes a difference before you resort to more sleep meds.
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Hi Mena, no your'e not the only one. Just after 4.30a.m. here. Been awake since 2 since getting up to go to you know where.. Same deal more or less night B4 last, but tonight, yeah with the aching bones aching head aching neck etc etc.... Now Im up feel much better. 3 1/2 hours sleep though. Not unusual for me. Was going to go and check out the insomnia thread but it's probably everyones normal hours anyway. I do use sleep meds but only as something to get me off this dreaded treadmill then I come right for alittle while.
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Ok, so I think I am going to try the AM route! So tonight I should skip it and take it tomorrow morning?
Mena
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That would be my suggestion. I worried once when I missed a pill and asked my onc about it. She said not to worry as it takes moths for the stuff to leave your system completely. She said missing one pill was no big deal. So going from taking it in the evening to taking it in the morning will not matter in that regard. Hopefully you'll sleep better.
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Thanks Rocket!
And this way I can see how I manage tonight without it!
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WOw Rocket, a full hyster and you were out shopping like it was nothing? That is great! I hear you get very tired is more of a SE rather then pain?
Spunkyboobster, you did it robotic? Is that easier/quicker? Sounds like its a piece of cake!!
Mena, agreed with all above, I begain taking at night, big mistake.. I was awake all hours, drove myself crazy! Skipped one day and begain again in the mornings, much better! For the aches and pains I take half of a claritin (not the decongestion one). THe gals on here told me about it, and what a difference. I do still have the aches but not as much as before. My head does still hurt and the bottom of my feet but nothing like when I started this stuff.
Musical, I feel your pain with the head pains... sigh...
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purple32-I had to google that name-feosol spansule. Iron suppplements. Oddly enough, my iron level has always been okay when they test it. And my other blood numbers, HGB, HCT are normal. I really have never got a good answer as to why just my RBC number is always below normal.
Arimidex at night keeps me awake. Arimidex in the morning makes me more achy and moody all day. I still don't know what's the better time for me to take it.
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B123, I did experience a little fatigue, but no major pain. I've had menstrual cramps that were much worse.
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Lee7, maybe try taking in the afternoon!
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Mena927, I've considered that. Haven't tried it yet because that would involve me carting my neon orange pill box organizer to work so I won't forget to take the pill. I've got to have it out in plain sight or I'm going to forget. My memory
is not what it used to be........ 0 -
Lee, do you have an alarm on your phone? That is what I do, otherwise goodby Arimidex! I would never have to worry about
S/E because I would never remember to take it! LOL!
How long have you been on it?0 -
I am taking the generic Arimidex and except for a bit of joint pain no problems yet. I have had a little weight gain but I think thats from eating too much...def stepped up exercise. I do have osteoporsis so I take 1200 mg of calcium and Vit D3. Was taking another pill to help but the cost is 120 a month and cant afford that. Onc suggested Foxamax but they said not to take it if you are having dental issues. I am right now. Teeth are much better but not taking a chance with that drug. Seeing ONC tomorrow so maybe she can suggest something else. Would like to take Boniva but it is 120 amonth too and I have insurance. Just cant do that. Hair is a little thinner on top but has been long before the dx and I have a lot of very thick hair. Soon to be 2 years out...
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I probably do have an alarm on my phone. That's a great idea! I've been on arimidex for a year and 8 months. The majority of the time I've been taking it at bedtime and putting up with the insomnia. I think I'm going to hold off on it tonight and see what happens.
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edwards750, I'm in the same boat with the dental issues and so I don't want to take any of the biphosphonates. I had a rx for Boniva but I didn't fill it. My onc had said if my next dexa scan (this month!) shows more bone loss then I have to either take one of them or consider switching to Tamoxifen. Will be interested to see if your onc has any better solutions.
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Mena: I have had sleep issues before AND after anastrazole. I take it in the morning. I have been up since 3 am. Sometimes I take a Lorazapam or zolpidem (generic ambien), but I really don't want to take anything.
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I have had a sensitive tongue for quite some time now. Been on A since Nov 2010. Sensitivity started in spring 2011 when I started asthma medication. Thought it would go away when I stopped the asthma meds but it hasn't. Never thought it might be the A.
Also, for those trying to remember meds in a.m. how about putting near your toothbrush, makeup, etc. That's how I remember my morning meds. And nightime ones are in dispenser on kitchen windowsill for when I make dinner. Just some ideas.
Whenever I feel myself getting stressed I make sure to do my meditation. Which lately has been every day. Sure makes a difference for me. I swear it's what got me thru surgeries, chemo, rads and heart issues starting at end of chemo. Took a while to get that one settled. We never did figure it out. But I'm off all heart meds now.
Hair loss could be due to stress, too. Mine came back in as thick as before and is still curly after 1 1/2 of years starting to grow back. I just hope it keeps the curl. It was always wavy. But now I have ringlets.
Going for my first bone scan tomorrow since being on meds. Please pray for no bone loss. The bones ache like crazy. Although I did a test a month or so ago of going to the gym and road bike for 20 minutes and weights for about 20. That day and the next I wasn't as stiff. Quit going and got stiff. Did same following weekend and same thing. I really need to make myself get going again. Could sure use it to lose weight. And the achiness going away would be great. I'm 55 and feel like 85 every day.
Just seems like always something keeping me from getting there. Working extra hours on a project at work right now, taking care of my dad long distance after mom passed away in May, no power last week due to hurricane, laptop has been causing problems and has now died.
Enough of that. Just wanted to chime in on stuff I'd been reading here lately. Read them all. Just don't always have time to get on computer to respond. Responding from phone right now in case you see typos :-)
Prayers for everyone here always.
Patty0 -
I did not take it last night and I must say it did not take me 4 hrs. to fall asleep!
Kjiberty, you sound just like me....out of desperation sometimes I will take an alprazolam or a restoril, but I am not happy doing it!
Since I have always had issues with sleeping problems, I used rely on Xanax to help me and it took me over 2 yrs. to get over the side effects from the withdrawal process!
So I am not about to get into that again. Hopefully swithching to AM will at least make me fall asleep a little quicker at bedtime.
Edwards750 I have also noticed a 2 lbs. weight gain since starting Arimidex, and that is because for some crazy reason at night I always feel hungry and MUST have a snack....which is usually something sweet! LOL
Lee7 Have you take your pill this morning?
Also, what is the issue with dental problems?
Mena
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Mena, I ended up taking it last night right before bedtime as usual, and I didn't sleep well. I thought maybe I should just wait for the weekend to switch times in case it does make me more irritable during the day. I have a cracked back tooth that might need to be pulled unless they can save it with a crown. My dentist said that if I was taking Boniva I should stop it for a few months before I had the tooth pulled so that it would heal up properly.
Patty, praying that your scan was good news! Take care of yourself, you've got a lot on your plate.
Its crazy isn't it, that such a little pill can make us feel sooo old!
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Yep, have my 9 am and 9 pm pill alarms on my phone too!
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ok...didn't take it last night and switched to taking it this morning. I think I fell asleep faster last night. I don't really remember tossing and turning so that's a good thing.
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Chococat!
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