Arimidex - Coping with the SE's
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Not feeling good today...need that positive attitude I had yesterday ..... welcome to the yo-yo syndrome LOL
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Are you getting a little exercise? It's a great mood enhancer!
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Yes, I walked with the ladies this morning (@2.5 miles)- I walk an hour 4 times a week at the moment... The PA yesterday reminded me I'm in the healing process from Rads and adding arimidex to the soup will tax my system... she then said to be careful about not doing too much, but keep up the walking.... Just been getting really bad headaches this week, which is new for me...
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Give your body some time. PA was very right about the healing process....I would say healing and adjustment time, both physically and emotionally. Sending a big hug your way!
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Thanks Ruth ...I appreciate the hugs.
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More HUGS from here also GmaFoley. I believe I've seen where headaches can be an SE of Arimidex so, if so, hopefully they will subside before long. Keep telling yourslf "this too shall pass", think about your friends here pulling for you and sending good vibes.
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GmaFoley: I have a long migraine history (fluctuating estrogen levels were always a trigger), but menopause and MigreLief have worked their magic for the past few years. I was so unhappy when the bad headaches flared up shortly after starting anastrozole. However, things seem to have leveled off on that front now that I'm at the 4 month mark. So - hang in there and hope that the headaches are only temporary!0
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I saw the oncologist on Wednesday and all the bloodwork is good - Vit D and calcium levels, etc. However, my baseline DEXA shows osteopenia in the lumbar spine, which has gotten a bit worse since my last DEXA 5 years ago. I am very familiar with DEXA scans, osteopenia, and osteoporosis.
I'm always on the search to mix things up so exercise doesn't get boring. Things like jumping jacks, jumprope, jogging (even "mini-jogging" during walks) have been aggravating my knees even with great shoes and cushiony socks. I've been considering a mini-trampoline next.
What do you all do for weight-bearing that isn't hard on the knees? Looking for a few more fun activities to keep it interesting....
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I'm trying to hang in there ladies.... a week now of constant headache... its not the migraine vision thing I usually get its more of a constant throb in the back of the head... other stuff - hand pain and my nerve pain seems to be better with the garapentin... this headache tho.... I called my PA back just for suggestions... Any suggestions here are welcomed too... Its gonna be a long weekend and I have to work morning shift tomorrow....
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GmaFoley: I feel for you; I've dealt with headaches for such most of my life. My first line of defense for any headache is to take two Excedrin. Has something to do with the triple whammy of aspirin, aceteminophen, and caffeine. It has always at least put a dent in my headaches and what my neurologist recommended as well. Aspirin, Tylenol, etc. alone don't seem to work for me, but Excedrin always seems to help. If I take them and lie down for about 20 minutes it usually helps a lot.
A wonderful internist recommended Akeso's MigreLief to me a few years back. She said, "I know it's weird that a doctor would recommend an herbal supplement, but I have had such wonderful feedback from patients that I know it works." It has been a lifesaver for me. Not only has taken away my almost daily "regular" headaches, but I rarely have a migraine anymore. I know this won't help you before tomorrow, but it's something to consider for down the road as it takes a few weeks of using it before it starts to help. Obviously, check with your doctors if you have any doubts about taking it or contraindications with your other medicines...
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I lift free weights, Tina. My lumbar spine T scores are positive, and higher than my hip scores.
I suspect all the cycling helps too. Otherwise, I walk, and drag home groceries on foot.
Reminder too that you need muscle to support your joints, not just strong bones.
I have to admit though that yesterday's walk was to the wine bar, market, and back.
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Claire_in_Seattle: I've been working with kettlebells, which are great for upper body and have been really good for keeping my shoulders loosened up. I started with those before my bilateral mastectomy and I still enjoy using them. I figured that was good for upper body, but hadn't considered that it would help the lumbar as well, but I'm sure at the very least is helping to keep the muscles toned as you mentioned.
I'm sure the biking has helped you a lot and that really seems to be your passion so all the better!
I walk about 45 minutes a day and purposely go up and down stairs many times a day, making sure to land heavy-footed going down. I've read that regular walking is actually not extremely effective as a weight-bearing exercise - great exercise, no debate, just not necessarily for this purpose...at least, it has not proven to be adequate for me. Race walking causes you to stomp a bit more, which is better, and interspersing regular jogging or baby-step jogging is great. My knees just don't seem happy when I've tried those activities
Wine bar, market, home - sounds like a nice trip!
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Jogging in water is easy on the knees for those who cannot jog on land. So if there's a pool you can use I would highly recommend it. Will also help with the joint pain some of us have on AI.
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Hi AI girls,
Taking Femara for 15 months I have had so much SE's that I decided to spend a fortnight at a Medical Fitness Center at the seaside. During the day I have had a lot of treatments: all kinds of massage, baths, therapeutic exercises and I was very tired at the evening. It helped a lot and I hope it will be helpfully for the next months.
I reached BCO from there but cannot login or post. I read your post and felt connected with your questions and answers, dear girls. This board is really connecting patients with BC all over the world...
Best wishes
Usha
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Looking for Nancy - has she posted back?
Depression after 4 years on Arimidex is rampant - cumulative, all those years of NO estrogen, somehow in dealing with the PHYSICAL side effects, we tend to not realize we are, sometimes, spiraling into a depression.
NANCY - come back. Make sure you read NativeMainers advice and talk to your oncologist - this is such a "natural" experience on Arimidx ( i refuse to use the word "normal" anymore).
Yes, it's me, Caerus-Sunflowers - but someone used my old user name on another website, in av ery negative way, so I'm now SunflowersinMA. Still me!!!!!!
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That's the exact info that was provided to me by my onc...TinaT wrote:My oncologist recommended avoidance of concentrated soy products like soy powder in smoothies or a diet reliant on soy or tofu as a main source of protein. Otherwise, she said an occasional meal with tofu, soy milk, edamame, etc. is fine. She doesn't seem to indicate that I need to be reading the fine print on labels to look for trace amounts of soy. I have my second appointment with her next week and plan to delve into the dietary/supplement issue with her just to confirm and to get any reference sources if possible.
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se from arimidex or is it my TE. My spine is painful. My Vitamin D level i s low despite supplements and sunshine. Dexa scan was good so far. waiting for exchange surgery to see if this ends the spine discomfort.
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drdolittle how much D are you taking. When I added an additional 1000 IU I only went up to 40. Now taking a total of 1800IU and I'm 79 (above high normal).0
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Ok so shins and feet are arguing now - magnesium for that? can't remember... ugggh my list is getting longer..... I can do this..
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I have a question that maybe someone can answer for me. Just started Arimidex, and when I read the side effects sheet from the pharmacy, I already had them all, except vomiting. Probably because of my parathyroid, can't seem to get into the endo for some reason. But anyway, if you start with all the side effects in the first place, how bad can they get when you take this too?
And another question, if you already have one of the side effects you're supposed to call your doctor immediately about, or an allergic reaction symptom, but you already have that symptom, how does one know when to call the doctor?
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Hi Sue - Welcome to this thread... I think from what I understand, and am noticing is that your symptoms will probably not get any worse than what you are already feeling... I have found that the garapentin that was give to me for my nerve pain (from radiation) also helps with the arimidex SEs... the only thing I'm dealing with, week 2 of the arimidex, is the constant headache in the back of my head.. Between the meds I'm on and tylenol it is livable. As far as when to call the doc : allergic reaction or the side effects are getting unbearable or you have a question about a side effect... I got more cooperation and help from my primary care's PA than my onc.. But don't be afraid to call your onc whenever you have a concern...that is what they are there for.0
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lago, i take 5000 iu D3 every am just had my level measured on thursday and will get the results on monday.
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Wow drdolittle that's a lot of D!
37antiques There are SE that are serious and some not so much. If you find you can't breathe then go to the emergency room! If it's the ones like stiffness, hot flashes etc. these are not life threatening but you onc should know. I have SE but not to the point were they are affecting my quality of life. If for instance I was so stiff I couldn't walk then that would be an issue. Sometimes your body just needs to adjust to the drug too. It is possible that in a few months the SE won't be as bad. I would discuss this with your onc.
I actually had no SE till the 3rd month. That's when the stiffness in my legs started. It's not a big deal though. I just find if I've been sitting or standing for too long it takes a bit to change position. I usually can shake it out in 30-60 seconds or so.
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Thanks a lot, that helps. I was just worried because I take care of a 90 year old woman with dementia during the day, so if something happened to me there would be no help for either of us! I wouldn't care so much if I were just at home, so this really eased my mind.
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Someone on another thread mentioned that she eats molasses every day to build up her red blood cells. I did some digging and found some more interesting facts about molasses that might be helpful to all of us. (I also just tried the recipe and it tastes pretty good):
Blackstrap molasses is an excellent source of manganese and copper. It is a very good source of iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium. In addition, blackstrap molasses is a good source of vitamin B6 and selenium.
Look for blackstrap molasses that is unsulphured since not only does it not contain this processing chemical to which some people are sensitive, but it has a cleaner and more clarified taste. Blackstrap molasses made from organic sugar cane is also available in some markets.
Molasses should be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator or a cool, dry place. Unopened containers should keep for about one year, while opened containers should keep for about six months.
ICED MOLASSES RECIPE:
1 TBLS Blackstrap Molasses
Hot Water
3/4 cup Milk
IceAdd molasses to a glass and add just enough hot water to cover the molasses. Stir until dissolved. Add ice and then top off with Milk. Even yummier is to blend the whole concoction.
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thank you Ruth for that concoction - actually sounds yummy...
Can I share an issue and tell me if this doc is full of hooey or should I be concerned... I couldn't stand the headache (on day 7- no relief) and blurry vision....I went where my doc office told me to go.... doc ordered a cat scan - says the combination of headache in the back of the head and blurry vision isn't good AND being I had breast cancer - maybe it has spread........and it is better to rule it out rather than wait..... SOOOOOOOO he said blurry vision wasn't a "NORMAL" SE of Arimidex so he doesn't think it is that ... what DID he do - told me not to take the arimidex in the morning and he would put a email out to my ONC to call me and take a oxycodone for pain...... I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER AND CALLED THE ONC during the week...I don't think he knew what he was talking about, but now I am kinda concerned... Why do docs do that to us???
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My GP will refer me to the specialist in a cast like that. He would never tell me to stop Anastrozole that my onc prescribed unless it was an emergency. He would have me contact her.
Did this headache start about the time you started taking Arimidex. The timing sounds right but don't be surprised if you onc wants you to do the scans anyway. They tend to rather test then ignore.
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Do you need new glasses? It's good to get thorough eye exam (and dental exam) after you are done with treatment, just to make sure anything wasn't thrown off course because of them.
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Lago: the headache started day 3 of the Arimidex... The doc seemed to think if I didn't take it tomorrow and I talked to Onc tomorrow until I find out from him what to do. I guess I looked in pain because he asked me what worked for these headaches before. I told him I have had migraines before but this wasn't like my migraines, its more like someone took a bat and hit me in the back of the head... so far the oxycodone I took about 20 minutes ago hasn't even made a dent in it.
Ruth....Did that less than a year ago... might have to do it again..
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GmaFoley, I started having headaches too, also about the third day along with nausea. I haven't taken anything for it as it started very mildly, however the past day or so it's been a bit more intense.I don't want to get on the train where you start taking one medication after another to get rid of SEs from drug.I'll just try and hold out a bit hoping it will get better. I hope everything is ok with you.Maybe it is just super migraines.
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