Life on aromasin
Comments
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I don't think there is a correlation between the two. I had tremendous anxiety after my diagnosis, because of my fear about recurrence. I did go on Effexor to help with that but stopped taking it after a year. Feeling good now, no anxiety, except about my old, sick dog. : (
Bjham, it really just takes time to come to terms with the diagnosis. Looks like you had Stage 0 so your prognosis is excellent! (((Hugs)))0 -
my onco and my primary card doc gave me scripts for anxiety meds. I hated the thought of taking them only took them on bad days....docs thought I should take more but....
my remedy then and now...is the gym....dang it all, I was determined not to end the 5 yrs of aromasin with a dependency on a med! so I am hooked on my gym.......but it has taken a toll for sure0 -
Yorkiemom, I am so sorry to hear about your old dog who is ill. I lost two of my dogs shortly after my cancer diagnosis; one due to a tumor, the other due to a muscle-wasting disease. When I went for my lumpectomy my grandson said "You are more worried about the dogs than you are about the surgery" He was right.
Sending positive thoughts and prayers to you---0 -
Dogs, so sorry about your babies. My furbaby is almost 16, and slowly (quickly?) falling apart. They now think she has a brain tumor. She will start getting steroids after an ear infection is cleared up. Thanks for the positive energy.0 -
So sad when our babies (pets) get so sick and old. Best dog I've ever had was an English Setter named Champ. Had to put him down 2 weeks shy of his 14th bday. I thought he had arthritis, as we were having to carry him up the stairs and lift him onto my bed at night, for over a year. Kept bringing him to the vet bc he was panting so much and sometimes gagging but they could never find anything. Finally, an xray showed he had a huge tumor pushing on his spleen. The vet said it could burst at any time and would be a horrible way to die. Hardest thing I ever had to do but I couldn't bear the chance of him dying in a horrible way. It was a beautiful day, warm even though it was February, and the whole family came over. We all were outside with him as he walked around in the sunshine in my yard. Our vet makes house calls, so he and his assistant arrived and the tears were streaming down my cheeks so much, I could barely see. But I easily lay down next to him on the floor and whispered what a good boy he was, and that he was the best dog in the whole wide world. Before that, when we had all gone in the Living room, its like he knew. He went around the entire room to each person and said a personal goodbye. The tears were streaming down my cheeks as I lay next to him on the floor, stroking him and telling him I loved him forever. It was so peaceful for him. He was surrounded by his family who loved him so much, he was home and being stroked by his soul mate. They just gave him a shot to put him to sleep. Then they gave him a shot to stop his heart. Then I imagined him running around the woods again like he used to, but most importantly, he was free from his pain. I would have loved to have him around for just 1 more summer but that was me being selfish. He's buried right outside in my front yard, under a huge Bridel Wreath bush. When it's covered in beautiful white flowers in the spring, it makes me happy and of course I'll talk to him. The little doo doo!
When it's my time, that wouldn't be a bad way to go. Would be pretty wonderful actually.
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Eve1958,
That brought tears to my eyes. That's how every person and pet should go, with those who love them being there with them to offer love and comfort.0 -
Eve - that brought tears to my eyes too. We had a similar situation with our 10 year old rough collie who had degenerative myelopothy. Vet came to us and Gus went to sleep peacefully with me and DH cuddling and talking to him. Not sure if everyone here has seen this lovely piece below - it brings comfort.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Trish
xoxo0 -
Oh Trish, how special. I heard that years ago but had forgotten most of it. Thank you for sharing it. I really do believe that will happen.
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Oh I have read that and it's beautiful--when I lost my furbaby (before CB) I cried for 2 weeks and I'm not a cryer at all, but Islept with her every nite and she alwats was with me and when I'd get home from work I could hear her at the door meowing, It was so sad---but I did get another cat and she does the same thing as soon as I come home she meows and sleeps in my spot and sleeps with me at night and she follows me thruout the house even to the bathroom so I know how difficult it is to loose our little loved ones.
BJ talk to u'r onc first cuz u are on a med from him/her, but anxiety is a big thing with this disease (I think) and sometimes it's all aftershock *I call it) It's somewhere in u'r head is this done, is it over--even if u don't think so ad u do have an excellent prognosis, but u have been thru the wringer with this ddisease so make u'r phone calls, ad please don't suffer needlessly, and of course a gym ofr just walking is a wonderful way to get rid of nerves. and grab some endorphins they say. But I don't think it's unusual.
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Eve, a sad but beautiful ending to a special love. My heart goes out to those who've lost their furbabies. I remember each time we've gone through that.0 -
Good morning romi people--How is everyone feeling today? I hope u'r manageing SE OK--I'm still trying and stubborn about staying on this med--I should have changed it a year ago this much damage might not have been done--so think about how u feel and what u'r gut is feeling cuz it never got better for me, so I'll just stick with it now.but I want u all not to second guess u'rself if withing the first year u are having a lot of trouble just trying to help that's all.
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Good morning Camillegal! We are fogged in here in the Puget Sound area. In some areas you can't even see from your front door to the street. Luv, luv, luv on your furbaby. She can be a great comfort to you. I have one who is my "nurse" cat. When I am too sick to get out of bed she will get in her spot next to me and watch over me, purring and kneading all the while.0 -
Camillegal: I am sorry you have damage. I am very worried about that myself. I had to change my meds from Arimidex to Aromasin and now I'm having SEs from it as well. Painful joints, scrambled thinking that affects my work, and I don't sleep well. I haven't taken it the past four days. I'm seriously thinking about stopping it and just leaving it in God's hands. At my age I need every year of QOL I can get.0 -
Chinneymae maybe Femera would suit you better? I know that for me switching from Arimidex to Aromasin made a huge difference. I was lucky that Aromasin agreed with me, but if it didn't I would have then tried Femera, and then probably Tami. It might be worth a try?
Trish0 -
Trisha-Anne: I was able to take the Aromasin a little longer before the SEs started. I will probably go back on it after a brief break. I also got trigger thumb right before I took the break. It went away after I stopped it. I hope the break will help with SEs when I start back. I go back to MO in Dec. I'll try to put up with it until then. I am willing to try the Femara and I sure hope it works for me because I can not take Tami due to my history with blood clots. I don't know what they can do if I can't take the Femara.0 -
Corky it is funny how they know we are having bad days cuz they just don't leave and it's so cute.
Stupid me I'm still on aromasin, no reason but I don't want new SE's and since I already have chronic problems frm it I hope it won't get worse. If it does--I will change maybe something else will be easier--I don't know anything anymore really.0 -
Chinmey, not sure how old you are, but if over 70 there is a study which has found women over 70 don't benefit much from the hormonals.0 -
Dogs: I am 57 but I feel like 90 on this med.0 -
I am 64 but know what you mean about feeling older....maybe 80 or such but the real question is, I am ending 5 years in Dec on the dang PILL so does that mean I will go back to feeling my real age or stay this dang old?0 -
I know. Also after stopping the pill will we start producing estrogen again as well?0 -
OK Proud we're counting on u to tell us.0 -
I promise to report back but if I feel like 60 again....maybe I will be a party harty gal? yeah, like I was before!
I have just retired and hoping a bit of energy comes back to me as not driving 36 miles to the office each day and working a dang full day! I am open to suggestions on how to act as a retired person.....it is....weird....0 -
Oh Proud doing what u feel like when u feel like is awesome. When I retired I didn't have a computer yet, didn't know what to do with it either but now it keeps me busy and my Kat gets so much more of my time and I love my true crim shows and scary movies and before I know it it's evening and it's great except u really never know what day it is anymore or the date ever and if u'r lucky enough to have extra money u can even shop on TV and it's fun. and if it's cold and wintry u can stay in flannels all day and read a good book and sleep when u want and if u wake up in the middle of the night u don't have to start counting hrs til u have to get up--cuz it doesn't matter. And if u feel good and want to keep busy, u will find something that's interesting for u to do r even get a part time job if u want and know if u don't like it u can just walk out. So don't worry about what to do just pray u feel like doing it. LOL0 -
thanks Camille,
you know it is hard to say how the money stuff will really end up. I am by no means rolling in dough but believe I can do it. may do a part time gig next year but for now, collecting unemployment due to the way all things ended at my company. I have a long time pal who believes I should not have retired but if I had her tastes, I couldn't. I do not or never have bought $50 bottles of wine or fancy cut steaks.....think I can if I watch things! I want to have some fun and relax for a bit0 -
Hi Proud, my FIL is retired and he found what works best for him is to have a schedule and a routine of sorts. He gets up at the same time every day, has his meals at the same time daily, watches TV at the same time, etc. He also walks daily, has a certain night when he visits family for dinner, another night for playing cards, another day for having lunch with his nephew, etc. He does the computer at a certain time, e-mails friends and family, tracks the news. This routine seems to work for him. He's been retired for 22 years, had cancer surgery and heart surgery during this time and bounces back. The schedule gives him something to look forward to. He doesn't record TV shows on a DVR so he has to watch them when they're on. He's a bachelor and has no pets so his time is his own.0 -
Ha, good old Aromasin---I had an episode of "trigger arm" this morning. I had my arm partly bent on the desk and it involuntarily extended onto the desk then tried to come back up. I fought it and didn't let it, then extended it when I was good and ready. It was freaky. I'm glad I didn't have a cup of tea in my hand.0 -
Corky, sounds like a good plan your FIL has. I am sure with a little practice (and that is part of the fun!) that I will have a good routine.
Mine includes plenty of gym visits, already learned that my pals seem to go in the morning not afternoons....thinking on joining some yoga classes. Need to get my sewing machine out and oiled up....figure I can make a few dollars doing repairs for folks. Always said I would need a couple of months to get a new normal figured out!
and aromasin, well guess I should give the med credit for getting me past all the dang junk till this time0 -
Proud, my DH and I retired at the same time, and missed work for about 11 seconds. We've survived 8 years and now wonder how we ever had time to work! It's great being able to dictate your own schedule, to shop during the week instead of cramming it all into Sat and Sunday. But, as Camillegal said, we do have trouble knowing what day of the week or date of the month it is. Sometimes it takes us a few minutes, and we usually have to count back to something we did or saw onTV on a certain day. Last night I stayed up till midnight and slept this AM till almost 9. It's a wonderful life, and, after BC, I cherish every day. Good luck to you. Enjoy!!!0 -
Wave...so glad to know that I am normal in not being able to tell what day it is...although, if I turn on the computer, it tells me!
yeah, I am getting into this just getting up whenever I feel like it. For years, some of my retired pals would ask me when I was going to retire so...now it is here!0 -
Hi ladies,
It has been a while since I checked in with my "romie" buddies (someone said that above and I stole it cause I liked it
but wanted to say hello. I am still having pretty bad aches and pains from this lousy drug but I do know it is doable and I am going to keep taking it as long as I can deal with the SE's. It sure beats worrying about recurrence and/or a new case of this chitty disease. Hoping all of you are faring as well as you can and that you are not in too much pain. The worst of this is the joint pain. I can deal with hot flashes and the lousy dryness and even the brain fog, but the joint pain really sucks big time.
Has anyone's pain switched around depending on the day? One day it will be the larger joints that hurt like my hip and then another day it will be my hands and ankles/feet. Weird really. Anyhoo, I am still hanging in and I am hoping I can make 5 years. I will have a dexa scan this coming July (just had one two years ago this July and it was normal) and we will see if there is any bone loss. I have osteoporosis in my family and am very concerned about this SE for sure.
My MO said if I can't handle the aromasin she wants me to switch to tamoxifen, not another AI as with DCIS, she thinks that would be more effective than Femara or Arimidex.
Have a great day!0
