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Life on aromasin

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Comments

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited May 2013

    Oh Tim u had a period for so long OMG how terrible, I thought I was bad in my mids 50's, my sister too--well she stopped bu the time she was 56ish and I got a hysterictamy and glad to, but 59 Oh my stars. 

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 677
    edited May 2013

    I had periods until age 60! And bad hot flashes for the next 10 years. I even get them from time to time to this day (age 77) They were never regular and very heavy for about 30 years. Had a DC or two, but it didn't help much. Then I began running at age 44 and suddenly my periods became regular as clockwork and were not longer heavy. What a relief.

  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,423
    edited May 2013

    That is so interesting.  Running is supposed to cut back on estrogen and prevent bc.  Nice day today...I'm getting out there!

  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 1,032
    edited May 2013

    Exercise is just so important in so many ways. It promotes weight loss, builds cardiovascular health, reduces cancer risk and on and on. Aromasin has started hitting me hard in the weight department. Exercising at least an hour a day is the only way I can even maintain my current weight, which is now about 10 pounds overweight. :( I am going to have to really cut down on carbs too.

  • shayne
    shayne Member Posts: 524
    edited May 2013

    I gained back the 15lbs  i lost pre-dx.  It has been so hard to get off!!  I exercise every day - but yea, need to really cut back the carbs.  Thats the thing, the more I exercise, the more carbs i crave!

  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 1,032
    edited May 2013

    I know what you mean Shayne!

  • shayne
    shayne Member Posts: 524
    edited May 2013

    Ive been thinking about going back on WW.........

  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 1,032
    edited May 2013

    People here seem to really like WW. I'm a vegetarian, and think doing WW would be too hard for me. I eat dairy, but want it to be organic.

    Have exercised an hour and 15 minutes today. Going to try for another 15 minutes, but that is all since the grandsons are spending the night.

  • shayne
    shayne Member Posts: 524
    edited May 2013

    People seem to have strange preconceived ideas of what WW is.  Basically - its about portion control.  You can eat anything you want - everything has value or points - you keep track of what you eat every meal and can save up for the weekend.  Exercise gives you xtra points.  Most fruits and veggies are free - you can eat as much as you want.  I eat all organic - i didnt buy any WW food when I was on it.  I lost 12 lbs then was dx.  Im sure if I went back on it id lose the 12 and more.  It was slow, but steady weight loss.  Highly recommend......

  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 1,032
    edited May 2013

    Thanks Shayne. I will look into it.

  • cowgal
    cowgal Member Posts: 625
    edited May 2013

    Everyone keeps talking about carbs.  It reminded me of an article I found a while back:  http://nbcnews.com/id/45587821/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/t/cutting-carbs-just-days-week-can-spur-weight-loss?#.UZLO00o0_Q6 .  I have been wondering if anyone has tried this?

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited May 2013

    Tim u'r probably right but my damage has been totally irreverable now and I wonder if I stop maybe it won't get any worse. Thanks about my shoulder Linda but they told me that's another thig that won't get better, it's not what u said--That why if it was pain, but nothing defiitely wrong I'd have a different opinion about it, but right now I'm just all mixed up. I see a new Dr. in a few weeks for my back, so I'll see what she says, then I see my onc. and see what she says.???????????????????

  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,423
    edited May 2013

    Cami, I'm glad you are seeing another dr.  I was going to suggest that.  If there's one thing I've learned it's that when a dr says they can't help, that it's hopeless, see another dr!!  Good luck and I hope you get some help.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited May 2013

    Tim thak u---so many Drs. and not enough answers hahaha

  • shayne
    shayne Member Posts: 524
    edited May 2013

    thought Id share this article with you guys, regarding weight

    http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9325/how-to-shed-the-weight-gained-after-a-health-crisis.html

  • seabeal
    seabeal Member Posts: 108
    edited May 2013

    Cami, this is one of those times that it's a good thing you can't find two doctors who agree on anything. Good luck and don't give up!

  • seabeal
    seabeal Member Posts: 108
    edited May 2013

    Thanks Shayne, what a great article. It also reassured me that I'm on the right path of juicing and eating vegetable for primary meal. I've noticed my appetitte and cravings have decreased, sleeping better and have more energy. Back still hurts but when to back doctor today and am scheduled for a medial branch block trial which if it is successful then they will do a radiofrequency neurotomy. If this works I could possibly be painfree for 9-14 months. At the very least there should be a considerable decrease of daily pain. I'm willing to try anything.

    Taking off in the morning after wound clinic to Okla City to see my husband. He is still working there and haven't seen him in a month. Everyone have a good weekend, I plan on having one!

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited May 2013

    Seabeal I hope that will help u---and I forgot u'r DH is in OK--oh u'll have a good week-end.

  • shayne
    shayne Member Posts: 524
    edited May 2013

    Have a great weekend all!!Cool

  • lisa2012
    lisa2012 Member Posts: 288
    edited May 2013

    I am just plain hurting too much. Every morning I am so stiff getting out of bed. Even mild post-cancer DVD with gentle yoga, next day my arms hurt too much. I don't want to exercise them at all. My hips/lower back are funky too. Hands hurt most of the time, but I can ignore it mostly. Why is this happening?? My sister (with whom I share the BRCA1 gene) didn't have any SEs from tamoxifen or Aromasin. I long for Advil which helps, but I try not to take it too much. Lucky I started an SSRI a month ag0 (Lexapro) which has perked me up and calmed my spirits. But even though I improve quite a bit as the day progresses, I can't see aching like this for 4 more years. Will discuss with onc in August. are we SURE this stuff really helps???

  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,423
    edited May 2013

    Your question is the one the screams out at me too.  WHY is this happening?  My onco told me the hand pain from arrimidex was from increased sensitivity  of the nerves and there would be no damage.  Hard to believe but sure enough when I went off the arrimidex the pain left. 

    I do have arthritis.  Could some of it be a result of the AI's?

    The statistics say that it definitely helps to cut recurrence and while I've not gotten the same answers from different drs about anything, they all agree that these meds will cut recurrence.  Seems that risk vs benefit forces us to try our best to continue with the AI's.  I will go back on arrimidex in a few days.  But these are such new drugs, I'm sure they won't know the true effects for many years.  We're pursuing the one effect, fewer recurrences, at almost any cost.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited May 2013

    Good Morning---I think we are all in agreement--ALL the stuff we got has not only aged our bodies but in alot of us has caused more joint and bone pain that we didn't expect--because wehen we stopped eerythin and I know I was in good standin with my cancer the rest of my body seemed to geteery side effect possible---so what are we sure of---Thise whole experience with this disease sucks

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited May 2013

    Not quite 6 mo on aromasin and my pain is lessening.  The change to aspirin has been really effective at controling the pain. Even one dose a day works.  I still feel pain occasionally in ankles, knees, hands, and now hips, but it is minimal, mostly after waking or sitting.  I went off gluten for a week.  I think this made a differnce also, but not 100% sure yet.  I didn't eat much before.  Will keep experimenting with this.  

    Try switching out your current NSAID for another.  It may make a difference.  Or ask you MO for pain meds.  Moving the joints is so important.  Also my pain has moved around with it leaving one set of joints for another.  So grateful when it left my hands.  On arimidex/anastrozole pain and neurological issues in my left hand were causing a lot of problems.  

    Maybe switching pain med or going w/o gluten will help.  

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited May 2013

    Doxie I thik we all use the words maybe, might be or almost alot. Kind of scary.

  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,423
    edited May 2013

    I keep saying I'm a walking experiment.  

  • shayne
    shayne Member Posts: 524
    edited May 2013

    "they" say it helps with recurrence, but still people get dx while taking it.  So no, I never had a doc tell me take this and you wont ever get it again.  Im still having residuals in my wrists from taking it - and Im 4 months off.  That might not ever go away......but I still do a lot of yoga and hand strengthening so time will tell.

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited May 2013

    I agree.  I feel like the scientist, the researcher, the lab, and the subject of the experiments.  Too bad I already have a full time job.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited May 2013

    Doxie----Frown

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited May 2013

    Just a question--has anyone had some hearing loss quickly--within a month's time.?

  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,423
    edited May 2013

    My daughter has beent telling me to lower the tv for years, way before bc.  Not sure that there has been any change.

    I did feel there was a change in eyesight after chemo.  The eye dr surprised me when he said the change was very slight.

    I re-start my arrimidex tomorrow!  Here we go again!