Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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Sunflowers, My blood work numbers are almost identical to yours and my doctor says, they're fine, no medication needed. However, I would still like to consult an alternative care practitioner. I had to badger my doctor to let me take 1000 IU's of Vit. D. My vit d level was 31.4 ng's and he thought that was normal! For my slightly elevated - arimidex caused chlesterol levels, I asked about Niacin, red yeast rice. His answer is always no, you don't need them.
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Interesting Native Mainer.....
This is why I am not particularly at risk.
Assuming that most of us are older than 40, here's how the total cholesterol results break down:
Low risk: total cholesterol less 240 mg/100mL
Moderate risk: total cholesterol 241 to 260 mg/100mL exactly 241
High risk total cholesterol more than 260 mg/100mLTotal Cholesterol to HDL ratio for women:
One half average risk of heart disease = 3.3 Mine is 2.8
Average Risk = 4.4
Two times average risk = 7.0
Three times average risk = 11.0HDL Level Mine is 85
Less than 35 mg/dL is considered low and increases the risk of coronary artery disease
Greater than 60 mg/dL is considered high and protects against coronary artery diseaseLDL Level
Should be less than 70 mg/dL in people at high risk for hardening of the arteries
Should be less than 100 mg/dL in people at moderate risk for hardening of the arteriesMine is high....144
Triglycerides for women older than 19
40 to 128 mg.dL Mine are 62Blood pressure and everything else are great. Total risk is something like 2% vs 8% for general population of women my age. My doctor said he could give me meds and reduce risk to 1%. Not worth doing.
You can look up these calculators online and run the numbers.
I have other things to worry about a lot more......like revenue!!!
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Claire_in-Seattle-I've been looking for an online calculator that crunches the cholesterol numbers--can you post the address or a link? What I did I took out of lab test reference book. Good source of info but I'm all about doing as little work as possible!
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Divide your total cholesterol by your HDL cholesterol. The result is your risk measurement. Average is 4.5, and ideally, you want to be under 4, the lower the better of course.
My total cholesterol is 243, but HDL is extremely high, 103, so my risk is only 2.3. HDL is influenced by exercise too, and I'm a workout freak and have been for years. My PCP made the comment once, "You'll never die of heart disease" (despite a family history of it). I hadn't heard the connection between HDL and hypothyroid, which I am. Wouldn't that benefit be negated though if your thyroid levels are kept within the proper limits with meds?
Before I was aware of risk ratios and the play of HDL, I'd tried niacin. Some years ago there was a book out about lowering cholesterol through diet and the usage of niacin. I did the diet (needed to make tons of bran muffins...that's about all I recall of it now) and niacin and total cholesterol did fall below 200, but it was a pain in the neck. You have to build up the niacin tablets slowly to the correct level, and then you don't experience flushing...unless you forget a couple of doses. Unfortunately that book is long gone so I can't be any help with the exact dosages, but it was a good deal more than what was called for on the bottle label! Now I realize it's not something I needed anyway.
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Hi Native Mainer,
Here it is. There are a couple of other ones out there. Algorithms are based on data from the Framingham Heart Study. This is a bit different than the one my doctor used, but answers are consistent. Happy crunching.
http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/atpiii/calculator.asp
I think the important thing is for us not to go nuts and manage to a number if we have very low risk. I was going to have salmon for dinner but Dungeness crab was on sale. The salad with fresh tomatoes/peppers/local lettuce was divine. I added in the extra corn from the night before. Also local and fresh. Just took off the ear and put on top. So very pretty too.
Was celebrating doing well on a second interview. They are very interested in me but not for quite the position posted. Yes, the Pinot Gris I had with was delish as well.
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Since my email address changed and I forgot my password, I had to resign up with a different name. It's been a while since I've been here, so I feel "new" again!
I've been on the Arimidex now for over a year. At first, the hot flashes and freeze flashes were just the worst. But that has eased off (or I'm just used to it.) I sleep in front of a fan all the time.
Since I had joint pain before BC, I can't tell if it's the arimidex as it is no worse and no better. It wasn't until I went through radiation that my blood pressure sky rocketed and my cholesterol went up. But I have managed to lose about 90 pounds since last July. It's been so hard!!!!!! But I have abut another 80 to go.
I tried the Niacin thing, with no change. Tried a statin, but had TERRIBLE cramps and charlie horses and had to quit immediately before there was muscle damage done.
Right now, I have eye pain. It's been about 3 weeks since stopping the statin drugs, so not sure if the eye thing is left over from that or something new. Going for a PET scan on Wednesday.
It's great to read everyone's reactions to Arimidex. It helps knowing that some things are just side effects and NOT a new symptom of cancer.
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Hi Nelia,
Congrats on losing the 90 lb!!!! Major, major accomplishment. I would also imagine that some of your blood work has changed with your weight loss. Do your joints hurt less?
Who knows on the eye stuff. Glad you are getting it checked out.
Can you exercise? That helps with weight loss and also with good cholesterol (HDL). I think also with regulating body temperature as well.
Good luck with the scan. Have you had your glucose levels checked? Might be important at this point to get those and other blood work done. Because all of this can change dramatically with weight loss.
Good luck, and again congrats on a major achievement.
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Ladies,
I know that exercise is good for us and will help with things like cholesterol levels and reducing bc risk, but I was exercising 3-4 x week, and STILL got bc AND high triglycerides and cholesterol! Exercise is an important element, but it is not the be-all, end-all answer!0 -
Claire, thanks for the link! I just ran my last cholesterol test numbers and I have a 1% risk of heart disease in the next 10 years. Not enough risk for my to make taking ANYTHING worth while.
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niacin usually raises the HDL......I don't know what lowers the LDL....I think triglycerides may have something to do with diet (based on my DHs experience, he is a terrible junk food addict....eating whole bags of licorice, carmels etc.....his triglycerides came back way high, and went back to normal when he ate a better diet.....which was almost disappointing to him 'cause it meant that he should keep off the candy.)
Congratulations on the 90 pounds, Nelia! That is a tremendous accomplishment!
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I just took your heart survey, Claire & I'm 1% too.
(But that is with niacin, I've raised by HDL from 66 to 98 on it). Also, I have been religiously eating 1-2 oz. of at least 70% dark chocolate every day for several months; it's suppose to lower the blood pressure & it seems to be working for me as I just checked it for the survey & it is nice and low too. 0 -
Instead of supplements, an easy and tasty way to raise your "Good Cholesterol"/HDL is by eating "good fats" - salmon, olive oil, nuts, that sort of thing. Here's an article - http://ezinearticles.com/?Foods-That-Increase-HDL-Good-Cholesterol&id=762896. Perhaps more meaningful is the fact that I eat lots of good fats in addition to fruits and vegetables and my HDL is crazy high at 174 (which is actually far lower than it was pre- Arimidex... not certain if there's any link)
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Yeah, my HDL went from 69 to 61 after 6 months of Arimidex. My doc thinks it might be the Arimidex causing the drop.
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Welcome back Nelia, reborn, it can only be a good thing. Good luck on Wednesday! Good on you, the weight loss might have/probably prevented the joint pain from getting worse. I think in my case the OA in the hips would be so much worse if I didn't push it every single day, for an hour each daybreak, up and down hills steppin' on the "S h a p e - u p s !!!"
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I take a brand called "SLO NIACIN".....it is released slowly into the system, which is why I don't have the flushing; I buy it at Walmart. Like I said, my doctor and I experimented with doses; I started at 500, went to 1,000, and found that 1,500 mg is where I needed to be to get the HDL raising effect I wanted. My family has a history of heart diease, both my siblings are on statins....which I did NOT want to do....diet alone didn't do it for me, but combined with the niacin, I am good so far (knock on wood etc.).
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Hi Ladies: Thought I would let you know Acupuncture really works well for the hot flashes and night sweats, I get it ONCE a week and boy it has helped me so much since going off my HRT in May due to BC.
I just got done with Rad. 35 treatmens and 7 boosts. I start my pill On Oct 6th, still not sure which one as I had a total Hyst at the age of 43 I'm 51.
Just want to let you know about the acupunctue, and my insurance pays for 20 per year in full, then its 45.00 a week which I will work 10 jobs if need be...LOL
Julie
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Thought I'd post Dr Oz's latest recommendations ...
To lose weight: 25 gms of fiber should be a daily goal
Suggestions, 1c oatmeal = 9, 1c brown rice = 8, 1c raspberries = 8
Metabolism boosters after 40:
Oolong Tea, a polyphenol, low caffeine, fights triglycerides
Black Pepper especially with tomato juice which has lycopenes protects mitochondria
Beans, 2c/d (oy vey!), soluble fiber, lowers insulin, prevents fat from growing
Iced Water, 8c/d, warming consumes calories
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Ruthbru, I also found SloNiacin at CVS, I started with the 250mg, so far so good...I thought I would work up to the 500mg slowly...I also am eating a little chocolate, believe it or not, I have never been a chocolate lover...
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If only all problems could be solved by a little chocolate!!!!!!!
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Sunflower - with beans, if you pour boiling water over the beans - enough to cover them plus add a couple inches for swelling; leave them a couple of hours. Come back & pour off that water, then add fresh water and cook the beans. This method helps to remove the gas-causing effects. Also, eating green salad at the same time also helps to neutralize the beans....
Lowrider, I was at the natural food store today and noticed Arrowhead Mills has a gluten-free baking mix; and I thought of you. There was so much marked gluten-free that it hit home what a problem gluten is for many. Fortunately I'm not affected, but I have respect for the condition!
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Hi Lost_Creek...it is amazing - I think it is Celiac Disease that is most sensitive like can't have any - thankfully, I don't - the elimination of gluten does relieve so much of the joint pain associated with the hormonals and for reasons I have yet to uncover, since having my gall bladder out, my tummy isn't fond of pasta, pizza, pancakes...so I am getting a double bonus with the gluten free - happy tummy and happy joints!
Arrowhead Mills - haven't seen that one...will have a lookysee! Thanks!
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Sunflowers, would a crock pot improve the unmentionable situation with the beans? I've had one of those at the ready for 30 years now ... haven't used it yet, but you never know ; )
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To alleviate the gassy problem with dried beans...... Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a pot of water, add beans and bring to a boil. Watch it carefully as it will foam over all over your stove! Turn it off and let cool. Drain and rinse beans and start over, adding seasonings and water and cook until tender.
This seems to work for me.
pam
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Good morning, I was wondering do y'all take a multivitamin? Any recommendations? Thank you, Julia
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Good morning, Julia! I don't take Arimidex, but have posted on here, hope I can still, I take Aromasin (another aromatase inhibitor). I cannot take multivitamins (daily migraines), but I do take 9 grams daily of Omega 3/fish oil; 5,000ius of vitamin d (BIG subject there on other thread). Others have mentioned they take calcium & magnesium, what does your doctor think you should take--do you have blood tests that show you need more of one than the other? ~juli
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Julia - I do take a multi vitamin - Centrum Silver (because I am 52). Otherwise I used to take the regular Centrum. I take a variety of vitamins from calicum to B-complex. I didn't think they were helping me until I went off of them for a week and boy did I feel it. I stopped taking them all for an upcoming surgery so I don't know which one of them is really making me feel better but I'm not taking any chances so I take them all.
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Thank you for your responses. Juli, I have found my onc to have a very wishy, washy reaction to any question re. supplements, don't know whether he's unaware or unconcerned. Same reaction about scans (can take 'em or leave 'em) and no particular emphasis on blood tests at all. He came very highly recommended, so I could only hope he knew his job. Frankly, there have been major issues with him as well, I think I mentioned earlier. He said the lump I pointed out to him in my remaining breast "was nothing"... didn't even question it. I insisted on further evaluation with my surgeon and it turned out to be an invasive dcis and my second Mx. I know I should probably search for another onc but I'm just so tired of all the appts, surgery, chemo, etc. There has been one stressor after another with my health since last November. So I thought I'd take a break and remove myself from that medical mindset that becomes so pervasive when we're in the middle of it all. But I do so greatly appreciate all the invaluable information I have garnered from the experts here. I've lost track of all the important questions that have been answered for me. Thanks again. Julia
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Julia: I'm very sorry your oncologist dismisses your very-valid concerns. I DO hear ya on all the appts./tests, etc...but it's SO important for YOU to have peace of mind that you have a 'team' that is looking out for YOU. I think it's worth the effort (and yes it IS an effort for sure) to look elsewhere. YOU DESERVE IT!!!! An onco who is not concerned about BLOODWORK???? THAT is one of the MOST-repetitive tests that we could have, to check the tumor markers, as well as blood counts, among others.
I am very very sorry to hear of your health issues, and you're right about having a medical mindset, but for me, I just feel that since I'm on my own, I HAVE GOT to be my own health advocate. I have no choice. (Not to get into my own health issues here) ~juli
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I take plain old Centrum. My family doctor says that all the 'Silver','Women's Health', 'Men's Health' etc. etc. is just for advertising; one is no different from the other. I've never sat down and analyzed the backs of the bottles though, so can't say for sure if he is right.
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That's good to know Ruth! I think the Centrum silver is more money too!
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