Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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Hey frosty gal, this thread has been a bit quiet of late, and I havent been in here a while and just seen your post. Some of what you comment on I can;t say but I hope what I can comment on helps. Maybe others will come on in.
Ive been on A for just over a year. Ive found that the stiffness has definitely decreased and it was bad enough to make me strongly consider giving it the heave-ho treatment. The better experience could be due to any one or any combination of the following.
- I am taking Neuronitin (the idea being hopefully kill 2 birds with one stone ...helping my peripheral neuropathy burning pain in feet and aching joints from A)
- It's summer here (NZ) and the warmth has helped
- I'm able to walk a bit further because Neurontin has helped. (Good things begets more good things LOL)
Interesting question on the different brands and generics etc. Obviously the recall you speak of won't affect me here in NZ, but I will be interested too if anyone comments on this.
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Hi, Julia ...hope you are doing well..the vertigo was from my inner ear....and I finally had my nose fixed last nov....before thanks giving 2011.......it was a terrible time..to not know...also landed in hospital because of arimidex.......joint pain was to crippling and I don't know if I should of been on boniva,but had the ono...put me back on tamoxifen and finished the therapy....for the last yr....I am 6 yrs survivor and off tamoxifen last april or may....she now wants me to take letrozole or esemastane?....I have decided not to take anything for now and probably won't take anything for further prevention...47 and hoping that I am making the right decision. Doing well....tacotime ( Danise)
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Has anyone had bad indigestion with arimidex? After 10 months on it, the joint pain has begun to lessen but now I feel extremely full and sick after I eat. I don't eat fried or spicy food or caffeine.
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No...Just a lot of belching. Ugh!
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On anastrozole for 8 months and did have some hand numbness. My MO recommended Vit B12 so I am taking a good Vit B complex which has helped.
My shoulder tendinitis is slowly resolving thanks to physical therapy and a massage therapist. My MO doesn't think this is related to hormone therapy but I am pretty positive it is.
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On anastrozole for 7 months and have had moderate/severe joint stiffness from fingers to knees and hips. Worst is the shoulder pain and stiffness, almost exactlynthe same as the pain that led to my rotator cuff surgery some years ago. But I know this is from the AI. It started when I began the drug. I feel I've aged 20 years, have to have help getting up from a chair after sitting for a while. But I'm sticking with the drug. May try B complex vitamins. Anyone had luck with anything else to relieve stiffness???
Tried some jewelry making with friends but couldn't because fingers would cramp and lock up..
Still believe AI is my best bet for beating recurrence, though...0 -
Wave, I found that I have to get up and move around more often. I spend way too much time on the computer and my back and shoulders let me know. i am trying to get in the habit of walking with Leslie Sansone a couple of times a day and get up at least every forty five minutes from t he computer.
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Are you taking loratidine? I've noticed that doing some simple exercises in the morning helps with the stiffness. I had rotator cuff tendonitis and had PT for it. I bruised my ribs last week and had to lay off the exercises. I started again today and can feel how much tighter it has become in a week.
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Spunky, thats intersting what you say about the nausea and it's probably not the same as you wherein I don't feel sick after I eat as such, but twice in the last 2 months or so I've been sick. Cant remember the details of what the first one was about but the recent one, I think I ate just a bit too much oily meat. Sorry to be graphic but both times I offloaded the whole flippin lot if you know what I mean. Ugghh. I don't find I get indigestion because of the AI.
Regarding exercise...Im no fitness freak by any stretch, (excuse the pun lol) but I would highly recommend plugging on the best you can doing what you can because I seriously believe it does makes a difference. I felt 90 some months back and now I just feel maybe 70ish ...lol whatever thats supoosed to feel like.
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Spunky, I would ask the doctor about that. I don't think it's a usual symptom of Arimidex. It might be some sort of stomach thing.
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Just chiming in- hope you all are doing well. I have been on arimidex about 20 months now. Had some issues at times w/ joint pain. Over the last few months, started taking glucosamine and vitamin d. The difference is amazing to me. I am not recommending anyone take anything without talking w/ their doctor, but for me it's been such an amazing difference. I had read that from others, but had no idea the positive difference it would make.
Still grateful that we have this medication to help us even if side effects are sometimes challenging.
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LisaGH...for sure. My MO insisted I take D3 and calcium for the bones. After 3 months I found the aches and pains were mostly gone. I have some lower back pain but I credit lack of exercise for that.
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Maybe I spoke too soon. I am experiencing that typical Arimidex ache again in lower back, neck, shoulders, feet and fingers, mainly at night when I go to bed. Still doing about 40mins walking each day which is very doable.. Hopefully this is just another one of those passing phases.
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Musical...take heart...I had a relapse too so took a few Claritins and it was gone again!
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schatzil it's always good to hear when others fare well!
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I have been on Arimidex for seven weeks. It is hard for me to know what may be a side effect of the medicine since I have an autoimmune condition that can cause some of the same symptoms. I have had back trouble for years but in the past couple of weeks my back is hurting more that it was (been going to chiropractor). I am so tired and I am so cranky that I can't stand myself. I am 64 and I would say these problems remind me of my PMS problems. Not sure what to do. I would appreciate any suggestions on the cranky part. I am a bookkeeping and spend a lot of time at a computer.
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Claudia...I am into my 2nd year on Arimidex but haven't had any "cranky" episodes at least no more than before. I am 69 and I understand the backpain. If it seems different than before, it could be the meds. Most find the SEs to be joint and bone pain and general aches. Some of us take Claritin (the 24 hr NON decongestant type). I took it for a month or so and I found most of the aches and pains were gone. Did you have a bone density test before starting Arimidex or shortly after? Good idea to keep an eye on the bone loss caused by Anastrozole. Many have found they are cranky since starting A but more feel depressed.
I find getting up and walking around often, helps keep the back pain at bay.
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I have had a bone density test due to the fact that I am small boned and was borderline a year ago. It is time to have one again. I have been taking calcium and D; however, my exercising has fallen off. I am aware that it can cause bone loss but I talked to my doctor and it seemed Arimidex was better for me. You may be right it could be more depression. Everything happened so quick with me and my family has so many issues going on that I really couldn't focus on myself. I have times now when I do have panic attacks and think "could it be somewhere else"?
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Saw a report on TV news last night that calcium/vitamin D pills do NOT prevent boss loss, as we all were told. Instead, they recommended getting those vitamins from dairy and foods. I'll have to see if I can find a link to it. I'm definitely going to ask my MO about it.
BTW, the calcium/D has not alleviated any of the joint pain/stiffness. I used Claritin with success while taking Neulasta shots, so I'll try that again, and I'll ask about glucosamine as well.
Claudia, I'm 64, as well, and have not noticed any (increased) crankiness, altho I've been on a mild anti-depressant since DX.
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I wouldn't throw out the Vitamin D yet. The study sounds pretty 'iffy' to me. I'm reading about it in the paper right now, and here are some of the points from the article:
* 'There is not enough evidence to tell if (higher doses) prevent fractures, in an otherwise healthy person....the panel urged more research."
* 'It is a confusing message....regrettably we don't have enough information....'
* 'The main caution: These recommendations aren't for people for people at high risk of weak bones.' (my italics)
* 'Vitamin D also is being studied for possibly preventing cancer and certain other diseases, something that Monday's guidelines don't address.'
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Wasn't the study done in Sweden? IMO, they get a lot more calcium from diet than the average American. I'm mildly lactose intolerant and can only have milk in coffee. I eat some cheese, but that's high in fat and salt. I think anyone on Arimidex is at high risk for weak bones.
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ruthbru...we forgot to tell her about the prunes....YOU are slipping! LOL
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Oops, I am slipping. I won't get my commission from the prune industry
, if I don't mention that for bone and colon health, you should eat a serving of prunes every day!0 -
Somehow I missed the advice on the prunes. Every day??!! WW isn't big on dried fruits. I actually like prunes but never eat them.
Claudia, ask your dr. about a mild dose of Effexor, which is available in generic. I started taking Effexor 75mg immediately when I was dx'ed in 2009 and stopped taking hormones. I'm less cranky than I was before dx.
Next Sept will mark 4 yrs. for me. I'm counting! So looking forward to not taking A. Hoping to get off statin and bp med.
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Forgot to say I'm also hoping weight control will be more like it was prior to A.
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carole...studies have found that eating 8 to 10 prunes a day will reverse bone loss. If you google bone density/prunes, you can read all about it.
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Hi Ruthbru,
I remember of you every day, following your advice about eating prunes and raisins in gin and I'm doing well!
Greetings to all BC sisters!
Usha
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Usha, so glad you are doing well!
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Since Claritin is an allergy medicine how does it help with pain?
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The theory is...the antihistimines reduce swelling in joints lessening any pain. That's why you don't take the one with the decongestant. I caution you to talk to your MO first.
It was also recommended by many for pain associated with the Neulasta shots. I took it and it worked. Never had any pain with them.
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