Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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My joint discomfort is hit or miss. Sometimes I have some and most times, I don't. I was having the insomnia except I could still sleep (as I take it in the am) and it was giving me energy, which was great! But I think my body is getting accustomed to it.
I was loving the energy!0 -
Thanks for the Drunken Raisins recipe and explanation.Very interesting, and worth trying!
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The alcohol evaporates, so you don't need to worry about an effect from it. My mom was a total teetotaler; and would sneak, very embarrassedly, into the liquor store to get her gin (biggest jug possible so she wouldn't have to go back for a long time). She was getting those arthritis knobs on her knuckles and they went away after she started using 'The Recipe', so was thrilled to bend her rules in this case.
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Thanks Everyone! I know I need to MOVE - but it's never been my favorite thing - oh well, right???? Hey - have you noticed that new pain starts up even after 2 years????
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Yup. I noticed new pain at 2 years, 3 years, 4 years. New joint pain got to be the normal thing for a while.
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NativeM - Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
that is not what I wanted to hear - but it is good to have a heads up.
How much longer are you on this stuff?
M
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I've actually been off for a year. At about 3 months after stopping I noticed things getting better, but 6 months much better, by 9 months I was pretty much back to where I was before taking it. The pain and stiffness kept traveling around, hips, knees, shoulders, wrist, back. Now I'm back to just knees where I have arthritis, and have had since before bc.
Keep moving, take tylenol when needed, take loratadine every day, you can get through it!
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I have a question...Does anyone on this thread know anything about Prolia? My MO suggested twice a year injections to help with pain...supposed to stop bone loss. I'm skeptical...would appreciate your input
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Our bones are constantly being "remodeled" by cells called osteoblasts and osteoclasts.Osteoclasts break down bone, releasing calcium into the blood stream.Osteoblast pull calcium out of the blood and use it to build up new bone.The two cells work together to create bone in a honeycomb pattern that is very strong.Osteoporosis happens when the two cells get out of balance, and more calcium is being pulled out than put back in.Prolia interferes with the process of making osteoclasts (calcium releasers) , resulting in fewer osteoclasts in comparison with osteoblasts (builders), ending in less calcium in the blood but more cells making bone.So people taking Prolia have to take Calcium and Vit. D supplements.Vit D is needed for the body to absorb and use calcium, and more dietary calcium is needed to put calcium in the blood for the osteoblasts (builders) to use.The end result is the bones get denser.
In the upper left corner is bone that is less dense, similar to osteoporosis. The area along the right edge shows denser bone, similar to what happens with Prolia.
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I know I've probably posted in this thread somewhere in the 250+ pages, so this is an update. I hate the side effects I am now feeling on anastrazole. The joint pain has gotten progressively worse since this past summer. Things started then with achy hips—couldn't do much walking or standing for more than 15 minutes. I became a real couch potato. Just after Thanksgiving, my back felt like I threw it out, but I had done nothing obvious to cause it other than the usual cleaning up after the holiday. Now for the past two days the joints at the base of my thumbs have started hurting. And there's almost nothing I do without moving my thumbs.
The only thing keeping me sane is the thought that none of my previous SEs stayed around; they all dissipated after time. I hope these are gone by Christmas...or the New Year.
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NancyD.. I have had various aches and pains - hips-knees-feet.. ouch! However, the thumbs - I already had basil arthritis in both my thumbs before all this but I'd get injections and they were ok but now they are outta control with pain.. I am getting surgery on the one in a couple weeks .. I think this anastrozole has caused the pain to worsen and the injections to no longer work.... I hope, for you, the pain comes and goes.
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I've been on Prolia for over two years now (four injections so far) and have no problems with it. My Dexa scan actually showed slight improvement in one of the numbers at the two year mark.
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Hi - I've gotten 2 Zometa infusions for bone loss but never heard about that helping with joint pain
I talked with my nurse today and she told me that Arimidex is as important as Chemo and to hydrate, exercise and eat anti-inflammatory foods. So I am going to do my best to deal with this ......Cancer the gift that keeps on giving
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I am 52 years old. My oncologist wants me to switch to Arimidex. I have been taking Tamoxifen for a year and half. Is this a good AI to switch to? I know one of the side effects is bone loss. What dose of calcium and vitamin D are you taking? What about vitamin K? My bone density scan 2 years ago showed slight osteopenia in my neck. I will do another test before I start taking it. What should I be aware of when I start taking this AI? Any other side effects? For how long is this drug recommended?
Any advice is appreciated.
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If you are post-menopausal, the Als are the best choice for most women. They give more protection against recurrence and generally have less annoying and less serious potential SEs than Tamoxifen (note, I said 'generally', each person's experience is unique). Weight bearing exercise such as walking, dancing, running, and lifting light weights can help with the bone density. I made sure I got two servings of dairy products and also took 3 calcium chews plus vitamin d a day (check with your doctor about specifics for you). I also eat a serving of prunes, which can actually build bones, a day. Everyone's SEs are different. Some people have few to none, some have a lot of issues; if you do, there is always the option to try a different Al. Again, you just have to take it and see what happens. The standard of care is still 5 years, but longer is being recommended for some people depending on their stage and other factors of their individual diagnosis.
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My latest Dexa actually showed improvement! No bone builders yet. Yay. Spine was the most improved. Although I'm still osteopenic, haven't crossed over to osteoporosis so I'm happy. Trigger finger is horrible. I have to pull it back out. Ouch. Cutting food or grabbing something and it locks up. Yuck. Oh well. I'll go get drunk on raisens. I mean have a raisen. Or 2 or 9. LOL
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Moon - my thumbs were both like that for several months. I would curse up a storm when I accidentally bent one because then I'd have to consciously force it back straight again and it hurt like a mo-fo. Was glad it finally resolved on its own on both sides.
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Glad to hear it resolved.gives me hope. Between the numbness and trigger finger it's more than annoyinv. And it really hurts to unlock that thing. LOL
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Moon,
I finally had to get a cortisone shot in the base of my thumb. The triggering and pain was too great. With the novacaine and cortisone shot, the pain resolved immediately. My thumb returned to full and normal movement after about a month. 8 months later the trigger has not returned.
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I've a question. Relative to your relatives, have you more arthritis?
I'm showing signs of osteoarthritis in my toes, fingers and hip. Diagnosed in my hip, but not digits. Wondering if this was the TC and/or AI. Not genetics, unless adopted which I'm sure I'm not, or it's a family secret which seems abserd.
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Doxie - What I've been told is that you had the Osteoarthritis but that the Arimidex brings it up front and personal - yea!??????
My sisters are quite a bit older than me and don't seem bothered by arthritis - me on the other hand.... I feel like I'm 90 -
Anyone having leg cramps at night? I took Celexa at the beginning to stop hot flashes - but then decided to stop it because I wasn't crying....
weird I know but I wanted the whole spectrum of emotions..... anyway I've read that Celexa can help with pain. Anyone out there taking it for that?
Marilyn
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Try magnesium for the leg cramps.
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I am on tamoxifen at the moment with plans to switch to Arimidex next year but I was bothered nightly by leg cramps. I second the suggestion of a magnesium supplements. After starting them, I have at most one a month
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Marilyn - I take 2 magnesium malate tablets a day (AM/PM) for leg and foot cramps.. it seems to help because if I forget and just take 1, I get a cramp that night. It has to be the magnesium malate ..
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def. Magnesium. Unfortunately I have to take 4 a day. I take SloMag and the big D is better than with mag oxicide
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All I did for leg cramps was switch to a calcium supplement with magnesium and zinc with food- half dose a day did it. I supplement with the more absorbing calcium citrate when taking it w/o food.
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Thanks guys - My acupunctuirst said it was from being dehydrated - and that drinking more water would help with the side effects from the Arimidex - so I will do my best to drink more water - can I teach this old dog new tricks? We will see...
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My onc switched me to Tamoxifen 1 1/2 years ago and I have no symptoms with it. My AI symptoms were very extensive and we did try different ones. I am aware that the AI's are more effective and would have continued on if I could. It was to the point that my DD had a quality of life discussion with me.
I had a scare last week, a lump and SCCA took me in the very next day for Mammo and Ultrasound. I have a scar tissue that feels like a lump. I was surely relieved.
I do take my Tamoxifen daily along with 5000 mg of D3, I was super low 4 years ago. I take calcium, multi vitamin, chondroitin and (?) hah I was just going to tell you that my chemo brain is nearly healed. I am much better at thinking these days and sure happy for that.
Hugs Ginger
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I have not been on the boards for some time. Medical problems with my son and grandson. I just had my 2 year mammogram and they did an ultra sound on the left breast due to the fact that I had internal radiation and the site where they took out the balloon fills with fluid and scar tissue. She said everything was okay (Yeah) but I have to go back in 6 months for them to do another ultra sound.I also have had my cholesterol go up. My oncologist said it would and keep track of it with the PCP. I also have an autoimmune condition called Dermatomyositis. It can effect my muscles so if I go on a medicine for cholesterol, I need to make sure my doctor knows which ones won't make the muscle issues worse.
Glad to have a few minutes to check the boards.
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Good to hear from you, Claudia. Glad mammo turned out OK!
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