Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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Lately been getting an aching low back at bedtime and sometimes prior. I most certainly put this down to the AI. I was SO sick of it last night, so hubby massaged it with cocnut oil and what a difference!. No aching at bedtime. I would recommend massaging so long as the person does it right. Since I've had back issues in times past hubby knows how to do this. What a relief!
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Moonflower - yes, that's the vinegar with the "mother" whatever that means! LOL!
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Wren, Doing the same thing. I have sweaters that go on and off. I also have a throw on the couch that I use when I watch TV. three and half more years of this. What fun.
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Denise, the "mother" is the floating stuff in the cider vinegar. think of it like the starter sour dough. Bacterial action to turn the cider into vinegar.
Wren, I started the hot/cold routine right after I started the A . But i was already postmenopausal.
I keep my sweatshirt with the zipper nearby. Then, I put it on with the zipper in the back open, makes it easy to get off and on. so kind of like a short snuggie.one time I counted I took it off at least 6 times. Oh well. Much love0 -
i'm so sorry i'm asking this question because i'm sure it's answered further back. i've been on arimidex for several weeks now and i have bad back pain. it's basically in my muscles and it's just a dull constant ache. no joint pain yet. anyone have any ideas about this? thank you!
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YaYa dont be sorry for asking questions especially in a long thread like this one where ,yeah the answer will be there but to find it is another matter... A common SFX of AIs is aches and pains. We're all different but a number of us noticed issues at around 4 months out. Some get off with nothing others are crippled with pain. One thing we all share in common, it beats the alternative. I've found it definitely helps to move around and keep active, but I'm not sure what my current back pain is about. I know one thing for sure, if youre bloated etc, that really can casue issues. I was better yesterday and so far today. HTHs some.
Musical
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thank you, balsie and musical for your comments. you were very helpful. now i'm thinking that maybe i just lifted something that was too heavy. i still find myself worrying way too much when something doesn't feel just right. i guess that's fairly normal. i certainly hope so!!
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Hi YaYa - In my view it is very normal after a BC Dx to be concerned about things. We're all different but none of us want to be in this club.
Because you said about lifting something too heavy, I thought I'd chime in on this. I see you have a couple of nodes out. This is NOT to alarm you but just to make you aware of the risks of LE (lymphoedema) for any of us who have had nodes out, even 1 node. That risk is for the rest of our lives but with knowledge and a bit of vigilance you can save yourself much grief. Some people may never get it that have a number of nodes out, and others who've had one may get it on both sides. I don't know your circumstances but it is wise to be careful about lifting. The Lymphoedema Forum on this site has really good info about all things LE.
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Yes, please pay attention to lifting heavy things. I got full-blown Lymphedema after lifting 3 heavy grocery bags
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Oh Denise I'm so sorry to hear that. Gentle hugs. I have LE on BC side and suspected LE on the other side.
We never want to cause unnecessary alarm, but ignorance is definitely NOT bliss about LE if you get it. There are many wise things one can do to minimise that risk.
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I am on day 20 of the Oprah/Deepak 21-day meditation challenge. I love it. I am also getting neurofeedback to help me with sleep issues. I have been taking ambien off and on for the past 7 years and took it every night after my dx last January up until I was done with chemo. I took either the Ambien or lorazapam (sometimes both) to help me get through my sleepness nights. The arimidex just made it worse. However, since I have been doing the neurofeedback, I have not been taking any pills whatsoever since mid-January. It is so liberating. I am not going to say I sleep the entire night through, but it has helped me train my brain to go back to sleep. The meditation definitely helps as well. If I need something in a pinch, I take Midnite (an OTC supplement, which basically has melatonin, lavender and camomile.). That can be taken safely in the middle of the night and doesn't leave me groggy. Here's the link to the 21-day challenge in case anyone is interested:
https://www.chopracentermeditation.com/Bestsellers/LandingPage.aspx?BookId=178
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Anyone else have trouble with swelling? I think it may be all over but I notice it mostly in my legs, knees and feet. Last summer my family doctor put me on a blood pressure medication because I was having fluid retention and elevated blood pressure from the Arimidex. It seemed to work but now I am having swelling issues and I have been monitoring my blood pressure and it is normal. My doctor did a blood test to make sure I didn't have any problems with my kidneys, etc. I just wondered if anyone had anything like this happen and what it might be?
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Kjiberty--thanks for posting that link. I did a lot of meditation during rads and before and after all the surgeries, could probably benefit from doing it again. Nothing like a challenge for motivation!
Cowgal--swelling/fluid retention is a known side effect of arimidex and company. I had high blood pressure before diagnosis, and had a harder time controlling for the years I was on arimidex. Fortunately, that has pretty much reversed since I came off arimedex last October. Oddly, drinking MORE water helps with the fluid retention. I needed to drink a liter and a half to 2 liters a day to keep the swelling down.
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Hi Cowgal,
Some blood pressure medications can also cause swollen ankles and feet. When i was put on the calcium channel blocker Norvasc (amlodipine) my ankles blew up like balloons. Check and see if peripheral edema is a side effect of your BP medication. If that is the medication you're taking, your GP may switch you to another class of drugs to control your hypertension.
I was hypertensive prior to Arimidex but well-controlled. After I started Arimidex my blood pressure shot up and my GP had to work very hard to get it back under control.
My MO still insists that elevated BP is not a side effect of Arimidex.:-(
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I've been on Als for 6 months since 10/1/12. Some minor SE, leg pain, cold/hot flashes--overall nothing too bad until recently. Last couple of weeks I've been suffering with low back pain. Seem to notice it mostly when sitting or lying down. Hinders a good nights sleep. Been using claritin during day and tylenol with sleep aid at bedtime. Also using a muscle rub to help alleviate the stiffness. It does seem better when I keep moving. I sure hope this passes soon as I don't think I can deal with this the next 4.5 years. See onc. on 4/18 and will discuss with him. Any suggestions?
And, my hair is growing in very sparse. I've been using biotin for months and have now started using minoxidil in hopes of getting my hair back. I want to ditch the wig, but with my scalp showing through thin hair I am just not comfortable with that.
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Today marks my 1 year anniversary of anastrozole. I told myself two years and i could stop-half way there!
kjiberty-thanks for the link. I did meditation for awhile and loved it-then just got busy and stopped, this is just what I need to get started again. Glad you're sleeping better.
sherry h-hang in there, I noticed as I came up on my 1 yr anniversary of AI, a lot of the pain had diminished (sleep is still illusive, however).
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Did you see this? A new study of joint pain associated with aromatase-inhibitors:
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WaveWhisperer - thanks for that - I signed up for the study at Vanderbilt.
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NativeMainer and kmpod thanks for the advice on the swelling.
Denise-G - I saw the study that WaveWhisperer posted but I thought it said that they were looking for women that had not started Arimidex yet.
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Cowgal - I filled out the paperwork and said I was accepted they will call...not sure.
I gave them the dates that I already started. I'll let you know if they call...
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I signed up too. I've been taking it for a year.
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I have been taking your advice on relaxation techniques and my jaw clenching has improved dramatically.
Next question - I have started snoring really loudly (was never a snorer) since starting. Anyone else?
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I just signed up too. Thanks for the link.
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Kylie-glad to hear thr relaxation techniques are working. Not sure about the snoring, however, last week my dentist told me she can tell i'm breathing through my mouth, so must be something to it.
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I filled out the online survey on the Vanderbilt study on pain associated with Arimidex and was accepted, even though I've been taking it for almost a year. We'll have to compare notes, if we get the phone call. I hope we do!
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I have not been on the site for a while. They gave me Trazodone for sleep and not only didn't it work but it made me feel weird and I struggled to have a conversation. I do bookkeeping and that wasn't good. Went back in and they took me off of it. Gave me a muscle relaxer because my neck and shoulder (as well has hips) are starting to hurt worse. I have always had back issues, but this feels different. I am starting with a Physical Therapist. I guess I will see if it helps.
Sleep is really an issue. Had trouble sleeping before and now if I go to sleep I keep waking up and by the middle of the afternoon I feel like I could just fall over. It is hard to know what is causing what. Doctor told me to get a book called "No more sleepless nights". He is a man so I don't think he has a clue what trouble arises after going through menopause and now add the Arimidex and it is worse.
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Had an onc appointment today. She said neither my sleeplessness nor my constipation were caused by arimidex? I didn't have the energy to argue with her.
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Well, just recently, my MO said definitely bowel habit change and sleeplessness can be caused by Arimidex...
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Spunky, gastro problems are a listed SE of anatrozole. Not positive, but I think sleep issues are also listed.
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