Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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GMAFoley,
Welcome to the A Team. There is another thread in this forum about Arimidex SE's Succinct - which I started so new people wouldn't have to go thru all these posts just to get "the basics" - but we repeat them pretty often here too.
DON'T FORGET - many women have NO SE's and are fine. I'm starting my 5th year, and doing very well. LOTS of ways to eliminate the most common SE's: joint pain, muscle pain, hand problems. SO, good luck. This is proving to be a VERY EFFECTIVE medication, and most of us, have also said, we are VERY VERY VERY grateful to have the option of taking a med which will keep us NED. IMHO, J0-5 says it best
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I'm stage IV and have been NED on Arimidex for 15 months now. I don't function well with my particular side effects, but most women do very well on it. And as Jo-5 says, there are ways to deal with the side effects.
Best of luck!
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90% estrogen positive means you are a person who really will benefit from Arimidex.
I am starting year 5 also. I had a few side effects at the beginning (creaky and a little flashy), but kept moving and gave my body time to adjust. I do weight bearing exercises and take some extra calcium and vitamin D for my bones (and overall health). I feel great, and am so glad we have this option!
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Welcome Gma! Hope you have no SEs. Jo-5 and Ruthbro Thanks for the explainations, I did not have a percentage on my path report. Mostly, I was concerned that if I had a recurrance, will it recur as same grade? I am concerned that if it recurrs, it will spread faster, maybe getting a mammogram once a year is not often enough for grade 3. Doctors don't seem to treat the different grades any differently.
I had a restless night, took my Arimidex 8pm, getting some side effects, coughed half the night, like deep from the lungs, that is unusal for me. It has been two weeks since my last rad appt. Woory, worry , worry. Cearus and All of you that have been on Arimidex for a long while are keeing me going. Thank you all
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Is Trigger Finger related to taking an aromitase inhibitor? I have had two cortizone shots in my middle finger? I noticed it in my other hand also. Is this a side effect of Aromasin?
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Is Trigger Finger related to taking an aromitase inhibitor? I have had two cortizone shots in my middle finger? I noticed it in my other hand also. Is this a side effect of Aromasin?
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CME
After 3 months - I had carpal tunnel syndrome( CTS), trigger thumbs, and can't remember how many fingers ;( Went to physical therpist who specializes in treating hand problems - treatments, and exercise to do several times a day. Within a few weeks - all gone! I also wore WRIST SPLINTS to sleep - to keep wrists, fingers from curling under my head - seemed to be my "sleep position" and also stopped eating all wheat gluten.
So, sorry to say, YES, it is a SE of most of the AI's - alas, one that can be eased, and in my case eliminated with what I describe above. Good luck to you too!
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JO-5 thanks for scaring the spit out of my - "Ok I can do this"... You are forgiven... 0
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Don't think about the list. If you read the list of possible SE for any medication you wouldn't dare take anything. Just take it and get on with your day.
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Hi I am starting Arimidex (generic of it) next monday and was wondering if I should take it in the morning or evening. Any thoughts or suggestions.........
Thanks
Cindy
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It doesn't matter in how it works. Try it whichever way you want, and if you have trouble.....switch. I take mine in the morning because I'm usually up at the same time (bedtime varies more). I bought one of those little seven day pill cases and have it right on top of my underwear drawer. It is so automatic by now that sometimes I don't even remember if I've taken it or not and have to go back and look at the dispenser to see if that day's pill is still sitting there or not!
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crog234 I was told to take it in the morning. I don't remembe why though.0
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I take mine in the morning with my other vitamins.Been taking it for about 6 weeks.Haven't had any side affects yet.......I really don't think about it.Just take my vitamins and that pill and go on with my day.... like ruthbru you says:) Don't give it alot of thought.Enjoy your day:)
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Don't be scared by the list - we live in a society where anybody sues - so it's CYA. Read what's on an Aspirin bottle, for goodness sakes!
Keep doing all the good stuff you're reading on this thread - and you'll be FINE!
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No upset, JO-5 the list was SO long when first started, I was amazed. But now know some who has had one or the other..still I LOVE being abe to take it ;-)))
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Crap! Decrease in Height??? I am only 1/4" over 5' tall now as it is
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I am still as tall (actually short) as I ever was.
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Hi . I started the Arimidex about 2 months ago. Over the past week, I have experienced so much pain. The neuropathy pain in my feet ( that had been getting better ) is a killer. My back, legs and hands ache. I feel on edge ( probably from the pain ). Is it 'normal' to take this long for this to kick in, or could it be something else? I am already on tramadol for a bad back ( 2 surgeries - last one in 2004 ), but it doesn't seem to touch it. Does anyone have any ideas ? I am on vits ( including B complex, D3, Multi, Omega 3's, Calcium, etc ). Thanks for your help - I am trying to hang in there, but it's not easy this week ! I want to exercise, but standing on my feet makes them hurt even more.
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catlover I had no SE from the Arimidex for 3 months. Starting the 3rd month was when the small joints in my fingers/toes started to stiffen up in the morning as well as my legs.0
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Sue, does it start to feel better once you are moving around?
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Hi Lago and Ruthbru .... Sometimes the pain is better if I walk around, but other times, it just makes it worse. Normally by the end of the day I just have to get off of my feet and put them up ( and take a percocet to help me sleep ). I thought I was coasting through really well - especially since I wasn't having any hot flashes, but this past week has been awful. Maybe it will get better once the humidity lifts. I was just hoping there were some 'tricks' to help. I did order some B1 ( in benfotiamine form ) to see if that will help. I have read where it can help with neuropathy pain.
Thanks!
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Joyce - my eyes deteriorated from chemo. It took a year before I could stand bright lights. Before I looked pretty weird wearing sunglasses indoors. I was also on Tamoxifen for 1.5 years and they didn't get any worse. My eyes are doing much better now - it just took some time.
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Hi Catlover,
I had a really tough time for the first few months ( wicked stiffness, arthritis, blues, carpel tunnel , etc - one thing aver another) keep experimenting with your diet, exercise, and pain management. For me, cutting back on sweets and alcohol help, as does a dose of Valium for muscle spasms from herniated disks and pain pills from time to time. Exercise also helps. I had a lot of neuropathy in my feet for months after chemo. I have been on arimidex 6 months now, and everything has improved. My symptoms are still there but they have lessened and become manageable . I non longer am in a funk.
hang in there; it will get better!
Joyce, sorry to hear about your eyes. I Hope that they figure out whatbis best course for you. Good luck! Best, Beau0 -
Well Ladies, First pill down the hatch ....
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GmaFoley
Good Luck:)Join the rest of us.We can do this:)
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Also, to women with joinit pain, neuropathy from chemotherapy, this information may be "buried" in the thread - but ACUPUNCTURE has helped a lot fo us.
I now go once a month, and MY KNEES DON'T HURT ANYMORE!!!! Really, it is also supposed to help many with neuropathy. I don't have theat, but friends who do who have started having acupuncture treatments are getting great relief. Good luck to all.
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Arimidex gals Well, I think I am going to make it with this pill. I had some SE's, nausea, mostly. But after a week, I am feeling good. I do experience fatigue about 3pm, everyday, not sure it is still the radiation working or the Arimidex. Just to let you know, Gma 0
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stage1
GOOD. Expect the tired feeling is more radiation than Arimidex. Most of the women who had SE's flet them "kick in" (pardon the pun) at about 3 months after starting. Just keep an eye on things, and so all the good stuff everybody recommends in this thread - it really is life saving medication.
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I have itchy bumps on my skin, on the stomach and chest this morning. I wonder if it is the Arimidex???0
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