Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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Marybast, no you don't. I hope you like it.
Betsy, I agree with Ruth, it can't hurt to try it. I have absolutely no joint pain, my problem is being exhausted.
Judy0 -
TY Dr Ruth.~you sound like my mom.haha! yes even at my age, 71 ,I still have one ,,she is 94 and 2 weeks ago did the mile BC walk with my son and his wife and my guy!!! She 'trained" for it ..Doing a mile 3 x's a week...!!! was I ever proud!
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Lakewoman your mom sounds amazing!
I am now in week three of Aroimidex generic. I have some knee pain but that isnt unusual for me. I have gotten some headaches. Overall no outstanding symptoms yet. Oh yeah, I am having a hard time falling asleep. I keep pretty strange hours anyway but falling asleep hasn't previously been a problem for me except on Steroids.
My question today is this, I am being prescribed Neurontin for ongoing neuropathy in my feet and hands. Will this help with SE's from Arimidex?
Thanks GInger
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hi Ginger - welcome to the world of arimidex. Neurontin basically helps decrease the message of pain from nerves to the brain so if you are having any pains, yes it will help. I was offered it for my neck problems which are unrelated to arimidex but given that I am already on three pills that cause weight gain, I turned it down....it has a reputation for fairly significant weight gain....
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I'm about 6 weeks into Arimidex. I started getting headaches early on (history of migraines so I wasn't happy about that), but those have gone away. I was having some new finger joint pain, but that has also eased up. I have been feeling more emotional and don't know if that's the Arimidex or not.....
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Can anyone comment on skin changes with Arimidex? I'm wondering more about dryness, loss of elasticity, etc.
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I have dry skin, dry eyes, dry brittle nails, dry insides and out. When I do yoga, I can hear my ligaments crackling. I think this is quite common with Arimidex. We hate what it does to us but then we can't live without it.
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I have some bumps on my fae around my jawline. These are new. I wonder if face lotions and such will help with them. I have pretty oily skin and don't usually use face cream.
Thanks GInger
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Gingerbrew--the neurontin will help with the joint pain, and it will also decrease the hot flashes. I take neurontin to calm down the hot flashes at night so I can sleep. Yes, it can contribute to weight gain. It's not for everyone, of course. I tried going off it (I was on it originally for LE pain, had the breast removed, no more LE pain) but couldn't sleep. All the meds are a trade off, it can be a full time job just to research and decide about what to take and what not to take.
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Re: dryness everywhere; being hydrated helps a lot. Drink as much water as you can and eat lots of fruit. We've had some good watermelon lately and I can definitely tell the difference. Also, I'm collecting juicing ideas from the Creative Health Institute to get more hydration from vegetables. A good one I've tried is "Beanie Brew" -- Cut 3-1/2 oz. broccoli into small pieces, core a pear and cut into small chunks, push both through juicer with 2 oz. bean sprouts and 7 oz. green grapes. I'm also researching juicers. I've had a Braun juicer for more than 20 years that's a drag to clean and is starting to get whiny.
Lakewoman, I'm happy your mother is so physically fit - mine's 98, doing great mentally, and stays busy around the house, but needs the help of a walker if going anywhere outside. Seems an irony that we're the ones with breast cancer, but they grew up in an era with less exposure to toxins.
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joycek
I have a foot massager next to my favorite rocking chair
It's small, wooden, with rows of wooden balls - you rest your foot on it, move it back & forth- and it massages your foot! It's the only thing I've found to get rid of the toe cramps....I got mine years ago at a store - but know they sell them online. It sits flat on the floor - not too expensive - very basic - really helps me. 0 -
You can get leg/feet cramps from low potassium, which may or may not have anything to do with arimidex. Try bananas and also tonic works for them (add gin if you'd like....then you won't notice the cramps at all
)An aunt of mine recently passed away at the age of 95; she owned and operated her own travel company (visiting 54 different countries during her life), still conducted tours into her 88th year, had knee replacement surgery at the age of 90; against her doctor's recommendation....he thought it was too risky at her but she said, "I am not afraid of being dead, and if I'm still going to be alive I want to be able to get around and enjoy myself", chaired a big committee for her church's centennial at the age of 92. I hope I am just like her when I grow up!
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A friend of mine was recently diagnosed. I posted the following on an exercise thread, and even this doesn't have anything to do with arimidex, I thought it was important to share with you guys too what her oncologist told her when they were talking......he said that he could not emphasis enough the importance of exercise.....that it is the single most important 'non-medical' thing we can do for ourselves, not only to make it through treatment O.K. but to prevent recurrence. According to him, nothing else we can do; special diets, supplements, doing or not doing anything else, can hold a candle to the importance of exercise. WOW! That gave me goosebumps! Lets keep moving it, ladies!!
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joycek--I've found that if I look for little ways to get more exercise I do better than if I try to schedule exercise sessions in a busy day. Every so often I carry a stop watch in my pocket and click it on when I'm walking across a parking lot, up or down a flight of stairs, or taking the long way around the office to pick up or drop off paperwork. I'm always surprised how many minutes I collect that way. I put on lively music and work a little faster at housework to get some exercise in, too. There are lots of ways to move if you look.
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I'm reading "Anticancer - A New Way of Life" by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD. There is a lot of information about the benefits of exercise. Including specifically...
... for breast cancer there seems to be a measurable effect after three to five hours a week of walking at normal speed (9 MET) a week.
He has me convinced if I do nothing else, I open the front door and walk 30 minutes every day.
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and gardening counts, vacuuming....anything that gets you moving.....it doesn't have to be earth shattering mega exercise, just very consistent.
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Re: exercise,
I've recently started riding a bike again, for exercise and fun, but it seems to really bother my lower back. I haven't ridden in years. Maybe I'm doing too much? Any suggestions for easier riding? My DH said he would raise the handlebars so I wasn't leaning over so far, do you think that would help? I've about decided to give it up and just swim and walk. I've been on anastrazole for 6 months or so now.
Also has anyone had a problem with their feet/legs and shoes? I think on days I wear flats or heels (like to church) even for a few hours, or flip flops in the yard, my feel and legs really get sore. Is this from AI? I usually wear sneakers to work and I'm ok, I'm noticing it mostly at home when I'm trying to go barefoot or wear flipflops around the house.
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shelleyI would bet it would help to raise the handlebars. I can't speak to any of the SE's yet, I'm only 2 weeks into generic Aridimex, but when DH bought our bicycles from a shop they were so adamant about "proper fit" they actually changed my frame, no charge, from the one that DH had under our Christmas tree. I get cramps in my feet legs when I change from heals to flats or visa verse-I have to agree with ruthbru the potassium (also found in tomatoes for those of us that are Italian) has helped. I also live with a tube of generic Aspercream next to my bed when I get a bout in the middle of the night.0
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wear good shoes and/or get some inserts for your shoes.....at Walmart Dr. Scholls has a machine you stand on and it analyzes your foot structure and tells you what insert you should buy (about $50...a lot cheaper than the ones you'd get from a foot doctor). Also, a PA friend told me that you actually should not go barefoot around the house if you are having foot problems, keep the good supported shoes on.
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Shelley.....can you go get your bicycle fitted to you at a bike shop??? Someone who is good should be able to adjust it to you.
I am a major fan of hot baths afterwards. However, I am still sore after the 40 mile group ride I did today. Where I sit down hurts; my lower back is fine.
Also exercises to strengthen your lower back.
ALL......I am committed to exercise. I did weights/crunches all through chemo/radiation. I cycled on weekends.
I am saying this because part of what I see going on here is overall lack of exercise during treatment. Then everyone wonders why they are sore/can't move afterwards. This is about the time they start down the path of hormonal therapy.
Going back to Ruthbru's point. Not just to prevent BC recurrence. All sorts of other ills as well. I don't want Type 2 diabetes. I don't want heart disease. I don't want not to be able to do things I enjoy in life because it hurts to move.
On top of this, I want to be able to wear fab clothes including my leather miniskirt.
Oh.....yes, I like having major mojo too.
So, yes those hours I spend doing crunches, pumping iron, cycling, walking, hiking, swimming, and skiing are more than worth it. - Claire
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You Go, Girl!!!
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Joycek - I feel the same way. Was diagnosed around the same time as you. Always very healthy - first time the hospital was with the BC. Never thought twice when I had an ache/pain. Now I am tgconstantly wondering if something bad is goin on :-(. I am 55 and hace been on Arimidex since 2010 - seem to be getting mre achy this past month.
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Thinking of you joycek, and sending positive energy. Fingers crossed that the mandibular mass is benign or something easy to fix.
A question for everyone who's been on these threads for awhile. Yesterday a man appeared in the sugar support thread who offered no information about himself except name and date he registered. He doesn't indicate any relationship to bc, just started throwing out information about what to eat or not eat and why.
I thought these discussions were for women with bc or the occasional husband of someone with bc who wants to connect with others on this path. I realize now that anyone can join and read whatever we put here. If they didn't comment we'd never even know they're there. I considered hitting "Report this Post" but this guy hasn't said anything inappropriate or abusive.
What do you think?
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This is an open forum. Anyone can post as long as he follows they rules. BTW men do get breast cancer, although it is very rare.
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Joyce......right idea on enjoying spring. I did a very leisurely ride on Saturday and stopped to literally "smell the roses" as they are just coming out. Some damask ones, and also eglantine. Very old scents and equally wonderful now.
So many ones are all show and no scent.
Then I stopped by a freshwater pond near the beach and saw five turtles and two Mallard ducks on a log. One of the ducks wanted to get to the other end and stepped over the turtles. Beyond funny.
I think highly unlikely that the jaw thing is anything to worry about except in the pain and expense department.
Mary....anyone can post here, and you need to read all postings with a grain of salt, especially those dispensing "advice". Women too.
I had joint soreness prior to this experience. Right now, my butt is sore from all the cycling over the past 2 days.
The great news is that I finally have my full energy back. Makes such a difference. But took about 20 months from diagnosis, and about one year after final chemo. The other thing I learned is that my hair didn't all come back at once with temples just filling in now. Really, really nice to have my full hairline back. My hair is changing back to its former texture now too. It looks shiny and healthy. And it will be thick once again. YAY!!!!! - Claire
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One week to the day that I started Arimidex I ended up in the ICU with acute upper abdominal pain,fever and a white count of 16,000.Felt a little better the next day. Doctors were baffled.IT may or may not have been related to the Arimidex as that was the only new drug that I've added.I will be speaking with my oncologist . I don't want to take anymore of it.The breast surgeon said she is certain that I am now completelt cancer free.The oncologist says 99.9%. so that's why she wants me to take it. NO
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shellyj - the foot pain you describe sounds (to me) like a footwear SE.
I had the sore feet (burning heels, inflexible footbed) long before BC. I saw a podiatrist for it and he said it's all about the shoes. No barefeet and no flipflops. He told me generic inserts would do the trick and they do. I got mine on amazon.com.
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I exercised today ...I jet skied.!!!!!..haha bet I will get a response from Dr Ruth...!!!!! strenthens my right hand to give it gas!!!
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JETSKIED..STRENGHTHENS
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Ha Ha Lakewoman, hope you had a great time, sounds like it. Any form of exercise is good, right?
I've been wearing tennis shoes most of the weekend and my feet feel better, but my back still hurts a little from my last bike ride. If shoes are the fix that is easy. I can get some inserts, they have that machine at our Walmart, too. It's just so hot that I love flip flops around the yard/house in the summer. It hurts too much though. This is a new problem (post-chemopause/AI) so i guess as some have said, BC is the gift that keeps on giving!
I did go on an extra long walk to make up for all the good food I ate today. I will count that as my exercise for today....but can I count the beer curls? (just had two, a special occasion)
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