For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
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Hi. I had BC last year with lympectomy (left breast), lymph nodes removed (left arm), 2 rounds of chemo and 1 round of radiation. 4 months after my last chemo treatment my oncologist wanted to put me on Arimidex (spelling??) as I was 5% estrogen positive and their practice had seen 2 women returning with BC with the same % of estrogen as myself - one returning after 4 years and the other after 7 years. The Dr. felt I needed to go on Arimidex. He warned me that I might get hot flashes and achy body. I do have hot flashes during the evening, but I now have such bad achy feet and legs sometimes I can barely walk or move......my body acts as if I'm 90 yrs old and I'm only 65! I didn't feel like this before the 'A' kicked in.......Any advice would be helpful on what I should do. Thank you
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heartrocklady~~Have you tried taking Claritin or its generic, Loratidine with the arimidex?
It helps a lot with joint & bone pain. It may not take it away completely, but it should make a big difference.
Blessings
Paula0 -
MarieK - You may just be one of the lucky ones that doesn't experience too many negative SEs from Arimidex. But if you do, you'll almost definitely get over the excess fluid SE where the 'vag-jay-jay' is concerned. That particular problem will make a wild pendulum swing in the opposite direction about as far as it can go
. Hope all goes well for you - you've come to the right place for support and small group therapy.....0 -
Hardrock, talk to your oncologist as there are 3 dif meds that are basically the same and some folks react better on one or the other. Me on aromasin, no side effects although, I too get achie feet but no other joint pain. I do work out a lot and my trainer is trained in working with survivors so when I complain or walk in stiff, he knows how to help (usually streching)
good luck
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Heartrock: I'm 57 and I had the same SEs with Arimidex after about 3 weeks on it. I am now on Aromasin (3 weeks) and haven't had SEs yet.
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I'm almost afraid to say this but after being back on Anastrazole for a month now, I have very few SE's! Some fatigue, a little saddness, but nothing extreme. For the past year and a half it's been a merry go round, going from one AI to the next. This is my third try with Anastrozole. Things may get worse later on so I hesitate to celebrate but I really think that after each "vacation" the se's lessened.
The body adjusts to menopause, maybe it can adjust to these pills too? We'll seeee.
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Oh Timbuktu that's great! I do believe that for some of us the body does adjust and some SEs resolve. My trigger thumb is a good example. Have a wonderful weekend!
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I had extreme joint pain and stiffness during my year on Arimidex, both brand and generic. My MO suggested changing to Aromasin. I was very skeptical' especially after the first week, when I developed two trigger fingers. But now, after 3 months on Aromasin, I feel significantly better, the best I've felt in the 2 years since DX.
Everyone is different. But, from experience, I think it's worth switching among the 3 AI's if you can't stand the one you're on.0 -
Hardrock, I'm 65 as well and, while on Arimidex, I felt at least 80! Compared to that, just feeling 65 onAromasin feels pretty good!
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Thank you sweet! Today is my birthday..64. Every birthday is a gift now. I intend to celebrate every moment!
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Happy Birthday Timbuktu! and many more! I turned 65 last month so I am in full agreement.. we will celebrate every day and year! I am doing ok on arimidex so far, but only 4 months in too.
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Thanks so much nd and lago! Nothing like starting the day with a laugh! It's the antidote to the depression that anastrazole brings on!
But more than that, caring and kindness...so appreciated!!!0 -
Timbuktu- happy birthday! I agree about birthdays being a gift!
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Thanks jazzy! I plan to enjoy every minute of my gift. I hope you all do too!!!
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Tim~~Happy Happy Happy Birthday!!!!
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Happy, happy birthday!!
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Happy Birthday Timbuktu and many more!
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Timbuktu, I hope you had a great day!
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Happy, Happy Birthday, Tim!!!! I hope it was the best one ever!!!
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Timbuck, I am so happy to be here with all the girls to celebrate your birthday - I just know you enjoyed every minute of your day and night...Wishing you and all of us many more.
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Timbuktu....this day should kick off a WHOLE MONTH of celebration. I would look at this as a warm up. Have the happiest one ever! - Claire
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Timbuktu.
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FUNNY STORY: My 25 year old son, Jesse, and his friend Nathan stopped by today. I had on one of the bedazzled military style caps on my head. Nathan said, " Wow, you're getting hairier & hairier. You're starting to look like a little boy!" I said , "Yes, and thanks to these Estrogen Sucking Drugs they have me on, I'm now growing a little penis!"
OMGoodness! The look on his face was PRICELESS!!!0 -
Timbuktu -
Wishing you a wonderful birthday and an even more awesome year to come!
xoxo
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You are all such special people! May we all celebrate many, many birthdays!!!
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My doctor wants me to start twice-yearly Zometa treatments as my baseline bone scan showed that I am close to being osteopenic. I forgot to ask how long it takes to get the infusion, and I fugured some of you probably had some experience with this. What should I know about scheduling this treatment?
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Timbuktu
Happy Birthday. And many,many more0 -
Virg---Isn't Zometa for bone cancer?? I have osteopenia in my hip and my Dr. just told me to increase calcium and Vit. D3...
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Loral, Zometa may be added to TX for someone with BC that has moved to the bones, but it is also used to treat osteoporosis or osteopenia when on AIs. Some studies show that it helps prevent BC from traveling to the bones, some studies did not find this.
My MO insisted on Zometa for me because I was osteopenic and have a bad family history of osteoporsis. I only had one treatment. We fought about this, but he backed off because he saw how much I was exercising. Waiting on the next DEXA to see if I need more.
Virginialab, It is a 15 min infusion, but request that they take it slower. I had severe bone pain in my leg and foot the next day, then no other problems.
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Timbuktu.