Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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Patoo - good suggestion, will try to take deep breaths!
Ruthbru - awesome nutritional info, thanks for posting. The nutritionist at the center said to get all the vitatmins from food. Yeah, right... Going to the store with my list in hand of your recommendations!
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I switched from tamoxifen (after two years) to Arimidex in January 2011. Everything was going fine. However, on February 25th, I developed hives. I called my oncologist who felt that it wasn't the new medication since I had been taking it for five weeks with no issues. However, I continue to get hives almost every evening. I take benedryl and that usually relieves the symptoms and they are gone by morning. Has anyone else taking Arimidex (actually the generic) had a problem with hives? I have an appointment with my dermatologist (coincidentally) tomorrow. But, any information you can give me in advance of that would be most helpful
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Thanks for the Vit D info, I am taking 1000mg once a day now. I'll be curious to see what my level is when I can get it tested. I'm sure it was low before because I was eating too much fast food junk.
heavenschild, I might have to agree wth the anxious bit. I have been more emotional lately and I think it could be the Arimidex since it is working to reduce the estrogen level. I know when I first went on HRT to help with hotflashes I could tell my hormones were changing right away. Wish I hadn't messed with that stuff now.
Jordianna,
Could it be something else in the Arimidex causing hives? and maybe you could try a different maker of it. I think you can get more than one generic form or it. ( I think...)
Ruthbru, Thanksvso much for the info !
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I hate Arimidex. That is all.
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Jordiana: I had to stop taking Arimidex and Femara because of hives. Save yourself the money and time - a dermatologist can't do anything for you. An allergist finally prescribed enough prednisone and antihitamines to give me some relief, but made me a zombie. The only thing that ever really helped was accupuncture. My oncologist said he'd never had anyone with hives from AIs. ( I had hives and angioedema.) I really thought I might lose my mind. Try taking Zyrtec (the generic, ceterizine (sp?) is sold at Sams really cheap) and Tagamet (the stomach med). At my worst, I was taking Zyrtec every 4 hours. Good luck. I feel your pain
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I had hives years ago and took Allegra the non drowsy stuff prescribed by an allergist like Deb said. My primary sent me to the allergist when the prednisone wasn't working. I would think Zyrtec would work too. I was on Zyrtec through chemo. The first week I was pretty spacey on it but then I got used to it.
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I have been taking Arimidex for 2 years now and I HATE it too. Every joint in my body hurts today and I am at work. Anybody have any advise for very sore thumbs?
**This was typed thumbless!
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Jordianna - it is not uncommon to take medication for some time and THEN develop an allergy to it.
I remember way back when I was taking Ceclor (antibiotic). I took it for 7 days with no problem and then on the 8th day had a minor reactions, on the 9th day I almost ended up in the emergency room as I went lobster red from head to toe and my throat started swelling. I immediately popped 2 benedryl.
The good thing about Arimidex is that according to drugs.com you can take benedryl and it doesn't interact with Arimidex whereas it does interact with Tamoxifen. I tend to have allergic reactions so it is important that I be able to take benedryl as needed. I am glad I switched to Arimidex although I am not really noticing much change yet. I have only been on the medication since March 1st.
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Jordiana-Sorry to pop in here. I read this thread a lot as I am anticipating starting Arimidex soon. I just wanted to say that hives can indicate a severe allergic reaction to medication. It should NOT just be dismissed or dealt with by taking antihistamines. Allergic reactions to meds can get more and more severe, ultimately sensitizing the body. Then if you continue to take the drug a severe, even fatal reaction can occurr. Anytime you have a rash or hives which could be from a medication, you MUST tell your doctor and pharmacist. Sorry, I don't mean to scare anyone. I remember anaphylactic shock from drug reactions when I was a nurse. Truly some of the most scary moments in my life.
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mellysu -
My thumbs hurt too, particularly my left one (I am right-handed). Why my left thumb? I don't know! Why my left hip and right knee today, but my left ankle tomorrow? Why do my arms feel like they're being pulled from their sockets every single day? Why do my tendons feel dry and shriveled, like tendon jerky? I don't know that either. Arimidex is weird.
Ice helps my thumbs. Hydrocodone helps the other things. Good luck!
E
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I know this isn't a recent post but it was very helpful for me. I have an onc appt next week to begin hormonal therapy and I wanted more information on the effects of the medicines and how to handle it. I had a lumpectomy, second op for the margin widening, radiation with Mammosite (great... only twice a day for 5 days) and now they'll put me on meds for 5 years. Thanks for posting.
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Hi honkittle. You will find differing answers as there is no 'one size fits all' with these meds. See enjoyfuls post right before yours - I've been on Arimidex for 2 years now and have not had those se's. Some joint issues, alleviated by Vit D, diet and exercise. I did get trigger thumb on my left hand, had cortisone shot and it's gone. Carpal tunnel tried to rear it's ugly head but I used splints and now no problems. There's just no telling what se's you may or may not develop, or how long they may or may not last.
Others will probably be along to give you their point of view. Just keep coming back with your questions and take any and all information gotten on BCo to discuss with your docs.
HUGS.
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I've been on for almost four years. It took a little while for my body to adjust but I am fine and have had no real problems at all. And I love arimidex; it is the biggest gun I have in the fight to get those 'all clear' reports at my checkups!!!
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Designer Mom - totally agree with what you are saying. I am not as "wordy" as I was pre-cancer so I tend to leave out details. Yes, I do stop taking medication as soon as I find that I am allergic to it and I do report it to the doctor immediately. Sometimes I have reactions and can't figure out from what they are coming from but I still will stand by taking benedryl or equivalent as quickly as possible to help prevent the analphylatic shock - well if you can't prevent that (and I am not a nurse) - it might help you temporarily until you can get to the ER. I do worry about my throat closing up on me when this happens but so far the antihistamines have worked for me and I don't need to have one of those shots on hand but each person is different and yes.....these reactions should be reported immediately to your doctor and also your pharmacist because sometimes medications can have a similiar ingredient in them. For instance I had a severe reaction to Ceclor but I always have it listed that I am allergic to cephalasporins so they don't give me an drug similiar to Ceclor.0
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heavenschild: I have been on Arimidex for over 7 years and the worse of the SEs with me has been emotional. I have lost my ability to cope with problems in the usual "normal" way for me and I feel like I have been on an emotional rollercoaster ever since the first day. I get very irrational over things that I would have handled in a more mature way and will cry over things which never would have resulted in tears. I have managed to survive without anti-depressants because I just refuse to take them for personal reasons. If your "anxiety" gets worse maybe your Onc can give you a med to help you with the problem. Best of luck!
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Ruth....thanks for the vitamin update.
My onc checks my vit D levels pretty frequently - I supplement with 2000 units a day.
pattoo - crap, the potato bread - I am having a brain fart - true, they are not all the same and some do contain wheat flour - I want to say Old English but that is the furniture polish - I will try to look at home tonight and see what I have.
janice - cool, love that you are riding!
enjoyful....I soooo wish you could find something to help with the awful se's you go through!
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Lowrider - I wish I could ride more often BUT I am feeling a bit disconnected right now. My body and brain are not functioning together - I don't know how else to explain it. I don't know if it is from emotional stress here at home or the fact that I started on Arimidex. Thankfully I have an appt with my therapist tomorrow to help on the emotional issues.
Medigal - I am feeling the same way as you are. I am frustrated because I can't figure out why....is it due to being a cancer survivor as that messes with your head, is it the emotional stress at home, is it the Arimidex, is it menopause or what??? Or is it a combination of all of the above? I just know it sucks!
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LowRider - perhaps the Old English is okay - everything is bad for us so why not try that! (just kidding - don't nobody go on other boards and say patoo says Old English prevents BC!)
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bumping for burley
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Hives
Early in my journey with Arimidex, I did have something like hives, or ezcema "spots" on my upper arms - in my case, turned out to be hidesously DRY skin - once I started slathereing myself with Coconut Oil - they all went away. God to have it checked - remembering I went to my docotor & she used this "funny light" to look at the spots, to make sure they weren't some kind of a fungus.
Haven't had the problem since then - it's almost 4 years.
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I'm noticing that my hands and feet are drying out again on Armimdex… and I mean really drying out. Mostly my palms, bottoms of my feet and around my nails (althought I still have major nail issues from chemo). Anyone else?
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Lago - my palms are really dry as is around my nails. It just hasn't worked it's way to my feet yet. My nose seems dry and my eyes are slightly dry. I am drying up.
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I found I had to be more careful in the sun. I get 'rashy' if I overdo it. I don't know if it's age, chemo, menopause, arimidex or what ????? Probably many problems are a combination of the above!
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I have been on Arimidex since Sept 2010. So far side-effects are minimal but yes, skin is very dry - but it is winter in Chicago so that is probably contributing. My hair is pretty long but still very curly from the chemo - but very fine in the temple area/male pattern baldness. Hair worries me - are any of you experiencing hair loss/thining due to Arimidex?
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Char I had that hairline start a few years ago. I swear some of it is growing back now.0
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hey ive been taken off arimidex because of side effects ,i was also taken off herceptin because of heart.what will they do for this seeing this is supposed to be for long term kind of confused
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Hey all I have been reading your posts for the last couple of months ..I was looking to see if anyone else was getting a rash with Arimidex..yea! I'm not the only one.. I have been on Arimidex since December of 2010... no SE's then I switched to the generic in Feb. the rash started after I switched over to the generic version.. Its a heat rash, so when ever I have a hot flash here comes the prickly itch..it sucks I get depressed thinking of what is going to happen when summer hits. The doc took me off of the generic for a few days to let it get out of my system, but didn't help the rash is still here day 2 back on label Arimidex. I was going to take Benadryl but don't want to be groggy all day ..every day..good thing it only last a little while. I will want to keep taking it because like Ruthbru ...I want it to fight for me!... dryness is the pits, hand and of all places the back of my neck..itches all the time..I put lotion on all day long and then I still use the Aquaphor at night on my feet and hands... Glad I found you all..Have a great Day !
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sacphotomom
I used to use Aquaphor too
Now I prefer cconut oil - ad in driest places, upper arms, hands, feet - I warm up a jar of PURE Cocoa Butter in the microwave and rub it in after the cocount oil ( 100% virgin - Whoole Foods 365 brand, black jar, brown wrapper in front, sold in Vitamin section near Fish Oils) is absorbed - I smell like a chocolate coconut - and, since chemotherapy/Arimidex - the Pillsbury Dough Girl. But I'm still here! Like Ruthbru, I don't mind any of the SE's - as long as the A keeps fighting for me!
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Sacphotomom, did your onc suggest trying a different generic? Though the active ingredient is the same the outer shell could be what you are reacting to? Just wondering.
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Hi: I have been taking Arimidex for 3 years and have been having problems with tendons, especially in my feet. Has anyone else experienced this?
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